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Gartmore Loop via Aberfoyle and Kinlochard

Aberfoyle, Stirling, United KingdomGravel

Route contributed by Stefan · Created from a ride on Sunday 31st May 2026

67 km
Distance
883 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Gravel
Surface
Download GPXMap
A wet morning at Cobleland Campsite
Photo: Eirian Evans · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
883 m
Distance
67 km
0100200300400m0 km204067 km303 m · highest, at 25.1 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Cyclists suited to moderate distance with nearly 1000 m climbing on mainly gravel surfaces.

A 66.6 km loop starting and finishing at Aberfoyle in Scotland with 981 m of climbing on mostly gravel tracks.

The ride starts near Gartmore and quickly reaches Aberfoyle at 3.7 km, passing through Milton at 7.5 km and Kinlochard at 11.9 km. The route features several climbs, including a 1.5 km ascent at the start gaining 53 m at 3.5% average gradient, and further climbs between 12.9 km and 55.4 km with gradients ranging up to 9.7%. The highest point is at 304 m near 24.2 km. The terrain is mainly unpaved with 96% gravel or unpaved surfaces, predominantly on tracks (93%) and paths (4%) with minor sections on quiet streets and minor roads. The profile includes 31% climbing and 33% descending with the longest descent lasting 3.7 km dropping 129 m from 39 km. There is a 60.4 km stretch without a café, shop or water from 3.7 km to 64.1 km. Near the route, the Forth Inn pub and a Co-op supermarket are located just off route at 3.7 km in Aberfoyle along with a bike shop. Peaks near the road include Druim nam Mial and others beneath which the route passes. There are no toilet or water points on the route.

Highlights

  • Climb to 304 m high point at 24.2 km
  • 60.4 km longest stretch without café or water
  • Gravel track surface for 96% of the route
  • Passed peaks: Druim nam Mial, Doon Hill

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Aberfoyle 3.7 km
  2. Milton 7.5 km
  3. Kinlochard 11.9 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—0 km1.5 km53 m3.5 %6.9 %78 m
—12.9 km1.7 km70 m4.2 %7 %115 m
—15.4 km1.9 km42 m2.2 %3.1 %136 m
—19.9 km1.6 km63 m3.9 %8.3 %212 m
—22.2 km2 km102 m5.1 %8.3 %304 m
—30.9 km3.5 km118 m3.4 %6.4 %198 m
—35.2 km1.4 km71 m5 %9.7 %248 m
—41.3 km2.2 km59 m2.7 %4.2 %168 m
—52.7 km1.4 km53 m3.9 %6.4 %100 m
—55.4 km1.9 km46 m2.4 %4.2 %102 m

High point 304 m at 24.2 km; low point 19 m. Passes beneath Doon Hill, Kirton Hill, Uamh Mhor.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
93% track · 4% path · 1% quiet street · 1% minor road
Surface
3% paved · 96% gravel or unpaved
Gradient
31% climbing · 33% descending · 37% flat
Steep sections
4.9 km over 5% · 0.7 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.4% at 37.4 km
Longest descent
3.7 km from 39 km, dropping 129 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 60 km, from 4 km to 64 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 3.7 kmThe Forth Inn · pub · 360 m off route
  2. 3.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 330 m off route
  3. 3.7 kmAberfoyle Bike Hire · bike shop · 470 m off route
  4. 3.7 kmAberfoyle Pharmacy · pharmacy · 390 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 3.5 km — Old Kirk (ruins)
  • 15.1 km — Druim nam Mial (peak)

Practical information

Surface
Gravel
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4½–6 hours riding
Season
May
Best months
Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 60.4 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
  • 96% gravel or unpaved surface
  • 0.7 km at over 8% gradient, max 9.7%
  • No toilets or water on route

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

8 photographs from the road

Photo: Eirian Evans · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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