National Cycle Route 7 (Scotland section)
This section of the National Cycle Route 7 runs from Dull to Alloway over 3 stages: 240 km and 1,332 m of climbing in the UK. Every stage has a map, elevation profile, road facts and a GPX file.
Route at a glance
- Distance
- 240 km
- Climbing
- 1,332 m
- Stages
- 3
- Countries
- 1
- Average stage
- 80 km
- Longest stage
- 100.2 km
- Most climbing
- 607 m
- Riding time
- ~17 h
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Best months
- May to Sep
- GPX
- Every stage + whole tour
- Start
- Dull
- Finish
- Alloway
Full route map
Itinerary: 3 stages
Average 80 km and 444 m a stage. Longest day: stage 2 (100.2 km). Most climbing: stage 2 (607 m). Shortest: stage 1 (65.4 km).
| Stage | Route | Country | Distance | Climbing | Surface | Difficulty | Time | GPX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dull to Callander | UK | 65.4 km | 547 m | Mixed surface | Moderate | 4 h 40 min | GPX |
| 2 | Callander to Paisley | UK | 100.2 km | 607 m | Mixed surface | Hard | 7 h 09 min | GPX |
| 3 | Paisley to Alloway | UK | 74.5 km | 178 m | Paved | Moderate | 5 h 19 min | GPX |
How difficult is this tour?
240 km and 1,332 m of climbing over 3 stages: 80 km and 444 m a stage on average.
The longest day is stage 2, Callander to Paisley (100.2 km); the most climbing is on stage 2, Callander to Paisley (607 m); the shortest is stage 1, Dull to Callander (65.4 km).
At 80 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 70–100 km.
Riders can go faster or slower than the documented itinerary: the same 240 km is 5 riding days at 60 km a day, 4 riding days at 80 km a day and 3 riding days at 100 km a day.
Surface and traffic
Mixed surface: 83% is mapped as paved and 15% as gravel or unpaved and 2% has no surface data.
107 km (45%) is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane; 6 km (2%) is on main roads without one, and 15 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more.
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 21 km, on stage 2.
Signed routes this tour follows
- National Cycle Route 7 (Scotland section) - stages 1, 2, 3
Best time to ride
From ten years of weather at the stage towns, May to Sep are good for riding along the whole route.
Logistics
- 3 of 3 stage finishes have a hotel, guesthouse or campsite mapped within a short ride of the finish.
- The longest stretch without a café, shop or water on any stage is 21 km, on stage 2.
What it was actually like to ride
About this tour
National Cycle Route 7 in Scotland covers 240 km over three stages from Dull to Alloway. The route moves generally southwards, connecting small towns, villages and urban areas in central Scotland.
The first stage from Dull to Callander is 65.4 km with 547 m of climbing. It includes several moderate climbs, such as a 5.2 km climb gaining 161 m at an average gradient of 3.1%. The highest point on this stage is 294 m. This stage passes through Kenmore, Killin, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and Kilmahog among other places, and has 25 water or food stops.
Stage two leads 100.2 km from Callander to Paisley with 607 m of elevation gain. There are four main climbs, the longest being 4.8 km with 176 m gained at 3.7%, plus others up to 3.2 km long. The highest elevation reached is 252 m. The stage passes many towns including Drymen, Aberfoyle, Dumbarton, Clydebank, Glasgow and Paisley, with 33 water or food stops.
The final stage runs 74.5 km from Paisley to Alloway, mostly flat with 178 m of climbing and a maximum elevation of 75 m. It passes through Johnstone, Kilwinning, Irvine, Troon and Ayr before reaching Alloway, and offers 36 water or food stops. No climbs are listed on this stage.
Recorded months and temperatures are not specified. The route alternates between rural roads with climbs in the first two stages and more urban or coastal terrain in the last stage. The number of stops suggests food and water are readily available throughout the tour.
Photos from the road
Stage 1 · Dull to Callander 
Stage 2 · Callander to Paisley 
Stage 3 · Paisley to Alloway
Questions riders ask
How far is Dull to Alloway by bike?
240 km along this route, in 3 stages averaging 80 km.
How long does it take to cycle from Dull to Alloway?
Moving time is estimated at about 17 hours. At 60 km a day it is 5 days, 80 km a day it is 4 days and 100 km a day it is 3 days.
How much climbing is involved?
1,332 m in total. The most climbing in a day is 607 m on stage 2, Callander to Paisley.
How difficult is the route?
At 80 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 70–100 km. The longest day is 100.2 km.
Is it suitable for a road bike?
83% of the route is mapped as paved and 15% as gravel or unpaved (2% has no surface data). Based on that: road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike.
Is there a GPX file?
Yes. Every stage has its own GPX download, and the whole tour is available as one GPX file with a track per stage.
What is the best time of year?
From ten years of weather at the stage towns, May to Sep are good for riding along the whole route.