Road · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 3 · Great North Trail (Grampian Mountains)Stage 2 →
Bearsden to Killin
A hilly 101 km gravel route from Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire to Killin through Summerston, Milngavie and Gartness, with 969 m of climbing. Mostly unpaved: 61% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 38% as paved and 2% has no surface data.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 100.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 969 m
- Riding time
- 8 h 24 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 20 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Bearsden → Killin
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 969 m
- 101 km
Route description
- Bearsden
- Summerston
- Milngavie
- Gartness
- Gateside
- Aberfoyle
- Invertrossachs
- Strathyre
- Kingshouse
- Killin
Starting in Kelvindale near Bearsden, the route passes through Summerston and Milngavie by km 8.6. It then continues past Dumgoyne, Gartness, Gateside, and Drymen. The first significant climb begins just after Drymen at km 27.1, rising 135 m over 3.2 km at an average gradient of 4.2%, topping out at 187 m.
After Aberfoyle at 44.8 km, there is a longer climb starting at km 43.8 and continuing for 4.6 km, gaining 228 m at 5% average gradient with a maximum of 8.3%, reaching 251 m. The route features a mix of surfaces with 61% gravel or unpaved and 38% paved, travelling mostly on cycle paths, tracks, paths, minor roads, and quiet streets. Main roads without a cycle lane total 3.1 km, and 2.5 km have a speed limit of 80 km/h or more.
From km 45.2 to 65, riders face the longest stretch without café, shop, or water for nearly 20 km. Beyond, the route continues through Strathyre and Lochearnhead. A final climb of 2.3 km starting at 84 km gains 84 m at 3.6% gradient. The highest point is at 91.1 km at 294 m. The ride ends in Killin, where various cafés, shops, and bike rental facilities are available.
Why ride this route?
- A 5.9 km descent dropping 212 m.
Highlights
- Climb after Drymen, 135 m gain over 3.2 km
- Climb after Aberfoyle, 228 m gain over 4.6 km
- Highest point at 91.1 km, 294 m
- Passes Killin with shops and cafés
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 27.1 km | 3.2 km · 135 m · 4.2 % · max 7.1 % | 187 m |
| Unnamed climb | 43.8 km | 4.6 km · 228 m · 5 % · max 8.3 % | 251 m |
| Unnamed climb | 84 km | 2.3 km · 84 m · 3.6 % · max 8.2 % | 217 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 3.1 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 29% cycle path · 23% track · 21% path · 13% minor road · 14% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 2.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 28.4 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved: 61% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 38% as paved and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 21% descending · 56% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.4 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7.8% at 47.6 km
- Longest descent
- 5.9 km from 94.8 km, dropping 212 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 20 km, from km 45 to 65. Along the route: 64 cafés and restaurants, 17 shops, 5 water points, 2 petrol stations, 8 public toilets and 11 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.4 kmThe Ram's Head · pub · 190 m off route
- 8 kmEsso · petrol station · 250 m off route
- 8.6 kmM&S Foodhall · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 8.6 kmM & D Green Pharmacy · pharmacy · 70 m off route
- 21.1 kmEatery · café · 140 m off route
- 25.6 kmHonesty Box · bakery · 40 m off route
- 27.8 kmSpar · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 27.8 kmPeloton · bike shop · 50 m off route
- 44.5 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · on the route
- 44.5 kmToilets · 120 m off route
- 44.8 kmThe Station · café · 100 m off route
- 44.8 kmHighland · petrol station · 180 m off route
- 65 kmThe Lade Inn · pub · 190 m off route
- 69.6 kmToilets · on the route
- 76.9 kmThe Broch Cafe · café · 230 m off route
- 82.3 kmthe Golden Larches · restaurant · 170 m off route
- 96.4 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 96.8 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 230 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.4 km — Maryhill (station), 190 m off route
- 8.6 km — Milngavie (station), 240 m off route
Worth a stop
- 43.9 km — Old Kirk (ruins)
- 72.8 km — Picnic Table (picnic site)
- 88.7 km — Glen Ogle Viaduct (monument)
Stay after this ride
- Fairview · guest house · 170 m from the finish
- Breadalbane House · guest house · 200 m from the finish
- The Courie Inn · hotel · 200 m from the finish
- The Old Bank · guest house · 300 m from the finish
- Capercaillie · guest house · 390 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Maryhill (540 m), Kelvindale (540 m)
- Food and coffee
- The Ram's Head (510 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Kula Coffee Shop (70 m), Secret Pizza (60 m), Falls of Dochart Inn Tea Room (560 m)
- Shops
- The Co-operative Food (230 m), MacGregor's Market (130 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- Davidsons Chemists (260 m)
Know before you go
- 19.8 km stretch without café, shop or water from 45.2 km
- 3.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 2.5 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more
- 61% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces
