CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure

NCN7 Pitlochry to Glasgow - have you cycled?

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  1. Claire
    Member

    Hi folks, I realise this is a bit outwith the remit of Edinburgh, but I know there are many touring cyclists here and was hoping for a bit of guidance.

    I was wondering if anyone on the forum has taken the NCN7 route from Pitlochry to Glasgow? I am keen to do a three day solo tour (my first ever!) at the end of July and felt that this looked to be a good option as trains at both ends of the route and it's about 116 miles in total, which should be a good distance for me to cover over three days. And apparently the scenery is spectacular so that's definitely a big draw.

    Has anyone done this route before? If so, do you have any advice on route options, bike type, surfaces, accommodation, etc? I was planning on taking my flat-bar tourer or my hybrid and was thinking Pitlochry to Killin, Killin to Aberfoyle and Aberfoyle to Glasgow.

    Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated! I've never done solo or multiple day touring before. Thanks! :)

    Posted 9 years ago #

  2. pixelmix
    Member

    I did this in reverse (Glasgow to Pitlochry) a couple of years ago with my father and sister. Gentle pootle - easily managed in 3 days. We stopped in Aberfoyle (one of the many B&Bs) and Killin (a reasonably large hotel - at a quick glance, it might have been the Killin Hotel).

    I was on my singlespeed with slick tyres, and the other were on flat bar hybrids.

    A mixture of pleasant quiet roads and forest tracks. There is a bit of climbing (out of Drymen, through the forest from Aberfoyle and up on to the railway line after Callander), but nothing too tricky.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  3. Claire
    Member

    Hi Pixelmix! Thanks for the info - much appreciated. I was told that the route from Dumbarton onwards to Glasgow is a bit of a culture shock after the landscapes, so I wonder if it might be better for me to start at Perth and finish at Dumbarton/Bowling. Sounds like a good option aside from this though :) Impressive work with the single speed!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  4. pixelmix
    Member

    The Glasgow to Dumbarton section isn't unpleasant, just very different. It is smooth, easy riding - you start off along the river from Balloch, and it is then along a path which I suppose is like the NEPN, but with a bit more graffiti etc.

    The last section into Glasgow is quite interesting I suppose - you could finish along with Clyde, passing the crane, SECC and Hydro. I wonder if finishing in Dumbarton might be a bit of an anti-climax.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  5. cb
    Member

    Worth remembering that the Strathyre to Balquhidder direct route is under construction. I would guess that if it is not fully open it would be signed as such at either end but it would be frustrating to head down the new bit then have to turn back.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  6. Claire
    Member

    Thanks cb, that's really helpful to know. I am going to have to have a good look at the map when it arrives in the post over the next few days.

    Pixelmix has made me re-think the route (again). Maybe it would be pretty cool to cycle past the Clyde and see all of Glasgow's landmarks before getting on the train back home....

    Will check out accommodation prices and keep my eye on the weather. If it's looking good to go, then I'll hopefully manage to snap up a couple of beds over the days!

    Posted 9 years ago #

  7. sallyhinch
    Member

    I think some of the Clyde path is closed for the Commonwealth Games (yes, really). Folks at City Cycling Glasgow might know more

    Posted 9 years ago #

  8. Kim
    Member

    I have done much of it time ago see here, here and here.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  9. gembo
    Member

    Path from Glasgow central to SECC was blocked for games last time I tried to use it in may.

    Posted 9 years ago #

  10. cb
    Member

    Strathyre to Kingshouse path is now open

    Not on OSM yet

    Posted 9 years ago #

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