Loch Katrine Loop
This is a good day cycle circular route of about 37 miles. I followed the route in an anticlockwise direction as indicated on the map, leaving the car in the free car park in Aberfoyle. It is a very hilly route with an uncompromising start up through Queen Elizabeth Forest on rough forestry tracks. The route along the side of Loch Katrine is also constantly up and down. There is a total of about 3,000 feet of climbing and about 5 hours of cycling, not including any stops, for old guys.
The route initially follows the National Route 7 which sets off on the A821 out of Aberfoyle on the Dukes Pass road. You can choose either to stay on the main road or follow the National Cycle Route 7 through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Either way involves a strenuous climb.
The route through the forest is longer and is on forestry roads with quite a rough surface but is much more interesting, passing the Go Ape zip wire site as you climb up and then meandering round the picturesque and interestingly named, Loch Drunkie on the way down.
The route then follows the south bank of Loch Achray with very photogenic views and heads westward towards Loch Katrine. There is a car park and cafe at the eastern end of Loch Katrine where the Sir Walter Scott steamship is based. This is a link to the Loch Katrine website.
The ship provides cruises on Loch Katrine and has been doing so since 1900. It was built by Denny Brothers in Dumbarton and transported in bits via Loch Lomond to Inversnaid and then by horse drawn vehicles onwards to Loch Katrine where it was re-assembled.
You can take your bike on the boat to Stronachlachar and then cycle back on the private, water company road.
It is believed that the word Katrine may be derived from Cateran, the word for a cattle rustler and this area was home to one of the best known cattle rustlers - Rob Roy McGregor. Walter Scott published a book called “Rob Roy” in 1817 which completes the circle of connections between Loch Katrine, Walter Scott and Rob Roy.
Near the western end of the loch you will pass Glengyle House which is built on the site of the cottage where Rob Roy is thought to have been born. The best view of the house is back across the loch from the southern shore as you make your way to Stronachlachar as shown in the photograph above.
The route from the east end of
the loch follows the north bank on the private road owned by
Scottish Water.
Loch Katrine is now owned by Scottish Water, and has been the primary water reservoir for much of the city of Glasgow and its surrounding areas since 1859. Water flows to the Milngavie water treatment works via two 26 mile long aqueducts and 13 miles of tunnel under gravitational pressure alone. Milngavie itself is situated at almost 400 ft above sea level - sufficient to provide adequate water pressure to the majority of Glasgow without the need for pumping. The system can deliver up to 50,000,000 gallons a day. Construction was started in 1855 and the works was opened by Queen Victoria in 1859.
The road follows the contours of the land and has many quite serious ups and downs. The road is not completely traffic free because it is used to access farms and houses along the loch side but it is very quiet and makes for a great cycle ride with some strenuous climbs and exhilarating descents. There is a short optional diversion for cyclists that follows the loch side at one point rather than staying on the road. There is a cafe at the pier in Stronachlachar and this is a link to its website.
From Stronachlachar the private road goes towards Loch Arklet where it meets the B829 and a left turn has you heading for Aberfoyle. Loch Arklet is also a reservoir which feeds water into Loch Katrine.
The B829 has very little traffic although the volume increases as you get towards Aberfoyle. The road meanders past Loch Chon and Loch Ard in a forest setting, passing Forest Hills resort along the way and in next to no time you are back in Aberfoyle. The view from the eastern end of Loch Ard with Ben Lomond in the distance is difficult to beat as a photo opportunity.
There is a short video with some images of the cycle trip below
ronnie@outandaboutinscotland.co.uk 29th June 2016