West Loch Lomond Cycle Route
- 26 km
- 45 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 45 m
- 26 km
Route overview
A short route with minimal climbing, suitable for riders wanting a flat, moderate distance ride.
A 25.7 km cycle route from Balloch to Tarbet in West Dunbartonshire, mostly paved and including 45 m of climbing.
Starting at Balloch, the route quickly climbs to its highest point at 45 m within the first kilometre before dropping to the lowest elevation of 9 m near 1.8 km. The route follows a paved surface throughout, with 57% on cycle paths, 20% on quiet streets, 17% on minor roads, and 5% on major roads including 1.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane. The profile is mainly flat with 88% of the route on flat terrain and gentle gradients, with only 0.1 km exceeding 10% gradient near the start. The ride passes through places such as Cameron Home Farm, Auchendennan, Arden, Luss, Inverbeg, and Firkin before reaching Tarbet at 25.7 km. There is a longest stretch of 13 km from 12.6 to 25.6 km without a café, shop, or water. Refuelling options include The Cruin restaurant near 2.4 km and fast food, a village shop and a petrol station near 12.5 to 12.6 km. Toilets and drinking water can be found at several points, especially near Luss (12.5 km) and close to the finish at Tarbet. Bailout points include stations at Balloch and Tarbet and ferries near 12.6 and 25.6 km.
Highlights
- Longest stretch without cafe or shop: 13 km from 12.6 km
- Cycle paths comprise 57% of the route
- Low elevation gain: 45 m total climbing
- Passes through Luss at 12.4 km
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 57% cycle path · 20% quiet street · 17% minor road · 5% major road
- Main roads
- 1.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 3.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 14.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 7% climbing · 5% descending · 88% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 2.4 kmThe Cruin · restaurant · on the route
- 12.5 kmSnack Shack · fast food · on the route
- 12.5 kmVillage Shop · convenience store · on the route
- 12.5 kmDrinking water · 50 m off route
- 12.6 kmGulf · petrol station · on the route
- 12.7 kmToilets · on the route
- 21.4 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 25.6 kmBonnie and Ben Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 25.6 kmDrinking water · 30 m off route
- 25.6 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 25.7 kmRepair stand · 40 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Balloch (station), 960 m off route
- 12.6 km — Ferry, 260 m off route
- 25.6 km — Tarbert Pier (ferry), 150 m off route
Worth a stop
- 2.5 km — Burial Ground (archaeological site)
- 8.8 km — Castle of Rossdhu (archaeological site)
- 21.3 km — Firkin Point Picnic Area (picnic site)
At the start
- The Churro Box · café · 360 m
- Balloch · station · 960 m
- Balloch Villiage Ferry Landing · ferry · 990 m
At the finish
- Bonnie and Ben Cafe · café · 60 m
- Tarbet Tearoom · café · 200 m
- Tarbert Pier · ferry · 180 m
- Arrochar and Tarbet · station · 780 m
Stay after this ride
- Tarbet Hotel · hotel · 110 m from the finish
- Innischonain House · guest house · 260 m from the finish
- Tarbet isle camping permit area March-September · campsite · 1.2 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 1 h 50 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 13 km without cafe, shop or water from 12.6 km to 25.6 km
- 1.2 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 3.3 km on roads with 80 km/h or more speed limit