Road · United Kingdom
Dunkeld Loch Ordie Butterstone Loop
A hilly 23 km mixed-surface cycling loop from Butterstone, Perth and Kinross through Dunkeld, with 229 m of climbing. Mixed surface: 42% is mapped as paved and 58% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 22.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 229 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 37 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 16 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Butterstone
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 229 m
- 23 km
Route description
- Butterstone
- Dunkeld
- Butterstone
The route starts at Butterstone and heads to Dunkeld at 6.1 km. It passes near archaeological sites Lowes at 1.9 km and The Glack at 9.9 km, and peaks like Shepherd's Peak at 6.8 km and East Point at 7.4 km. The surface is 42% paved and 58% gravel or unpaved, consisting mainly of quiet streets (67%), with some track (12%), path (8%), minor road (8%), and main road (7%). The main roads include 1.5 km without cycle lanes and 3 km of road with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
There are two main climbs: the first starts at 6.3 km, is 4.4 km long, climbing 106 m at an average 2.4% gradient with a max of 5.6%, topping out at 213 m. The second is 3.2 km from 12.6 km, rising 74 m at 2.3%, maxing at 3.6%, reaching 296 m high. The highest point on the route is at 15.8 km. The longest descent is 2.6 km starting at 20.1 km, with a drop of 191 m.
Facilities are limited after Dunkeld: there is a bike shop and fast food at 6.1-6.2 km, but no café, shop, or water for 16.3 km after 6.2 km. Archaeological sites are worth a stop, including Lowes, The Glack, and a saw mill near the finish. Peaks near the road include Craig Wood Hill, Crieff Hill, Stanley Hill, and Gallow Hill.
Highlights
- Shepherd’s Peak near 6.8 km
- Lowes archaeological site at 1.9 km
- Longest descent 2.6 km from 20.1 km
- Peak at 296 m at 15.8 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 6.3 km | 4.4 km · 106 m · 2.4 % · max 5.6 % | 213 m |
| Unnamed climb | 12.6 km | 3.2 km · 74 m · 2.3 % · max 3.6 % | 296 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 1.5 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 67% quiet street · 12% track · 8% path · 8% minor road · 7% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 1.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 42% is mapped as paved and 58% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 30% climbing · 20% descending · 50% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.6 km from 20.1 km, dropping 191 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 16 km, from km 6 to 23. Along the route: 1 café or restaurant and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 6.1 kmProgression Bikes · bike shop · 520 m off route
- 6.1 kmDavidsons Chemists · pharmacy · 640 m off route
- 6.2 kmThe Craft Diner · fast food · 390 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.9 km — Lowes (archaeological site)
- 6.8 km — Shepherd’s Peak (peak, 131 m)
- 9.9 km — The Glack (archaeological site)
- 22.4 km — Saw mill (archaeological site)
Know before you go
- No café, shop or water for 16.3 km from 6.2 km to 22.5 km
- 1.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 3 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 58% gravel or unpaved surface
