Electric Bikes
An electric bike on West Lomond Cycle Path
During the Covid pandemic, there was a massive uptake in cycling. Already a popular pastime, local bike shops were inundated with customers looking to exercise and keen to explore their local area on two wheels.
This feature is about some of the fantastic bike routes within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. The hills may have put some off, but now there are e-bikes, which will help you tackle steep inclines. A good e-bike can cost around £2,000, although thanks to the e-bike loan from the Energy Saving Trust, each household can receive up to £6,000 of an interest-free loan over four years to find up to two bikes.
Most people can cycle around 10k in about 30 minutes on an e-bike. Here are some ideas on routes and destinations. Look out for some useful links at the end of this article.
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West Lomond Cycle Path
Distance 28km / 17 miles. From Balloch follow the western shores of Loch Lomond on the West Lomond Cycle Path to Tarbet. It’s well signposted, mostly on pathways and fairly flat. Get great views of Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond and take a slight detour into Luss village.
Drymen to Balmaha
The return distance is 18km / 11 miles. Start at Drymen Village Square (which, as you can see from the picture below, has a free bike charging station at the Village Square) and follow the cycling signs for Balmaha, heading through Buchanan Estate and along the pathways and road cycle lane towards Balmaha. Again this route is mostly flat and easy to navigate.
Cycle lane at Milton of Buchanan
Loch Katrine Loop
50km / 31 miles. Take the popular cycle from Aberfoyle to Stronachlachar via Trossachs Pier. There is e-bike hire at Trossachs Pier from Katrine Wheelz.
Trossachs Explorer
27km / 17 miles return. From Kinlochard to Stronachlachar through spectacular scenery along a mostly quiet B-road. An excellent café awaits you at Stronachlachar.
NCN 7 Lochs & Glens Way
This national network cycling route connects some of our villages, with the cycle route mostly away from busy roads.
Balloch to Drymen
6km / 10 miles – the route starts at Balloch Castle Country Park and then follows quiet country roads through Croftamie and Drymen. NCN 7 combines with the John Muir Way and West Highland Way in places. It’s mainly flat and easy to cycle. Read Guide
Drymen to Aberfoyle
16km / 10 miles – from Drymen Square, go past The Clachan and up Old Gartmore Road past the primary school. There are more gradients, but easy and narrow water boards and forestry roads. Through Gartmore and finally into Aberfoyle along a cycle path. Read Guide
Aberfoyle to Callander
22km / 13 miles - one of the best and most scenic stretches of NCN7, National Cycle Network. From the forest close to Aberfoyle, the route takes you onto the Three Lochs Forest Drive, past Loch Drunkie and Loch Venachar. You will be very tempted to stop and explore the wonderful countryside, and you'll be glad you have an e-bike to get you up the hills. Read Guide
Callander to Killin
39km / 24.5 miles – As the NCN7 route through the National Park gets even more spectacular. From Callander head north along the old railway line, alongside the shores of Loch Lubnaig, stop at Strathyre for something to eat and drink. The highlight of the route is crossing the two viaducts at Glen Ogle. At Killin, you arrive close to Falls of Dochart, which dramatically cuts through the village. Read Guide
Glen Ogle Viaduct
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Discover More
Read more about cycling in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs on this website.
Read more about Lochs & Glens Way (NCN 7)
Rent an E-Bike
Always phone in advance to check availability and opening times.
· Aberfoyle Bike Hire – 01877 382 023
· Wheels in Callander – 01877 331 100
· KatrineWheelz at Loch Katrine – 01877 376 366
An electric bike at Tarbet, Loch Lomond
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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