Cycle from Strathyre to Killin

Glen Ogle Viaduct

NCN Lochs & Glens Way

At last, I get to tick off this stretch of NCN7 The Lochs & Glens Way from Strathyre to Killin, a glorious cycle route that takes you away from roads and is mostly on well-surfaced tracks.

The photographs above made me want to do this ride. I captured the picture on the way home from a commission to gather aerial footage of the West Highland Way. I know that this isn't anywhere near the WHW, but it was on the way home, and we had enough battery left to fly over and photograph this view of the Glen Ogle Viaduct.

 

Broch Cafe Car Park

The starting point for this ride was the car park on the A84, by the excellent Broch Cafe. Getting on the bikes, we had a decision to make even before leaving the village. Take a detour through Balquhidder or opt for the newer upgrade to the route that runs closer to the A84?

Visit Balquhidder

We decided to go through Balquhidder on the way out and return via the newer section. We made a mistake (being honest) and ended up on the route to Balquhidder due to a lack of concentration! Not a problem. It was a pleasant cycle along a freshly resurfaced single track road. We cycled through Balquhidder without stopping, but you could take some time to see Loch Voil and visit Rob Roy's Grave.

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The BLiSS Trail

A mention now of one of my favourite initiatives in the National Park. The BLiSS Trail, was established by the communities of Strathyre, Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Balquhidder. The trail consists of a series of pieces of architecture in the landscapes spread around the four communities. You can download an app and discover the stories behind them.

We'd see a few examples from the BLiSS Trail on our ride. The one pictured is the Half-Way Totem near Balquhidder. Read more about the BLiSS Trail and spend an enjoyable day discovering them.

Halfway Totem Pole, BLiSS Trail

Kingshouse, A84

Back to the cycling and at Kingshouse, we rejoined the newer section of NCN7, which was introduced a decade or so ago to stop cyclists needing to go onto the busy A84.

Lochs & Glens Way by Lochearnhead

How difficult is it to cycle to Killin?

The Lochs and Glens Way sections feature incredibly varied scenery, both between the different sections and even within them. This one has quite a variable range of inclines, with some steeper hills than other parts of the route. Luckily we were on electric bikes. Especially useful just after the exit for Lochearnhead, as there is a very steep zig-zag path to climb.

View towards Loch Earn

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Old Railway Path

At the top, by now relatively high up, I couldn't help be grateful for the arrival of the Callander and Oban Railways in the 1800s and its subsequent closure in the 1960s. Without the railway, we wouldn't be cycling on such a spectacular path as this. By the way, there are some excellent views down and across to Loch Earn.

Glen Ogle Viaduct

The path soon arrives at the Glen Ogle Viaduct. I had suspected that it wouldn't look as dramatic when cycling across it as it did on the drone view. I needn't have worried; the approach angle (pictured below) looks just as good.

Acharn Forest, Killin

Lochs and Glens Way then crosses quickly over the A84 and enters into Acharn Forest with a downhill descent for a few miles into Killin. Take care on the paths here as they vary a little, especially as you may be going at some speed.

Falls of Dochart

The conclusion of the outbound journey is to the Falls of Dochart, which cuts through Killin. You can continue on Lochs and Glens Way towards Loch Tay and Pittlochray, or stop off as we did in beautiful Killin.

 

Lunch in Killin

After having some lunch in the pretty village of Killin, we made the return journey, which seemed quicker on the way back. At Kingshouse, we kept on the Lochs and Glens Way, missing the detour to Balquhidder and headed back to Strathyre.

Navigating Your Route

The route is 13 miles; I've shown in the photograph above of the junction in Strathyre where you can choose whether to go via Balquhidder or not. A marvellous cycle, a half-day activity.

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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