Callander to Paisley
- 100 km
- 607 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 607 m
- 100 km
Route overview
Suitable for cyclists capable of moderate climbs over 100 km distance.
Stage 2 of 3 of the National Cycle Route 7 (Scotland section): 100.2 km from Callander to Paisley with 607 m of climbing, on the signed route.
Starting in Callander, the route heads through Invertrossachs at 7.7 km and Aberfoyle at 21.6 km, then passes Gartmore, Dalmary, and Drymen where a bakery and other facilities are available. Early climbs include a 2.1 km section averaging 3.5% gradient up to 166 m and a 3.2 km climb peaking at 252 m. The first half contains about 83% of the climb. From Balloch at 51.7 km the ride continues through Alexandria, Dumbarton, and Clydebank with occasional café and shops. Road surfaces are mainly paved (80%) with some gravel or unpaved sections (16%). The ride covers various road types: cycle paths (36%), minor roads (31%), quiet streets (11%), plus tracks and paths. Main or major roads cover 2 km with 2.2 km on main roads without cycle lanes. The route follows the Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath and the C9 road stretches. Facilities include cafés at 0, 21.6, 36.6, 51.7, 60, 66.9, 73.5, 79.8, 83.9 and 95.5 km, shops and water taps often near those points. There is a longest stretch of 20.7 km at the start without café, shop or water.
Highlights
- Climb to 252 m near 17.6 km
- Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath section
- Passes Drymen and Balloch
- Ends at Paisley with coach station
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 9.9 km | 2.1 km | 71 m | 3.5 % | 5.9 % | 166 m |
| — | 14.4 km | 3.2 km | 114 m | 3.6 % | 5.8 % | 252 m |
| — | 23.3 km | 2.2 km | 59 m | 2.7 % | 5.9 % | 81 m |
| — | 27.4 km | 4.8 km | 176 m | 3.7 % | 6.3 % | 209 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 38% cycle path · 31% minor road · 11% quiet street · 10% track · 1% unmapped
- Main roads
- 2.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 36.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath (5 km), C9 (4 km)
- Surface
- 80% paved · 16% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 11% climbing · 15% descending · 75% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.7 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.2% at 31.7 km
- Longest descent
- 4 km from 18.3 km, dropping 225 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 21 km, from 0 km to 21 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmDun Whinny's · café · 30 m off route
- 0 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 140 m off route
- 12.5 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 21.6 kmThe Station · café · 60 m off route
- 21.6 kmToilets · on the route
- 21.8 kmHighland · petrol station · 120 m off route
- 36.6 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · on the route
- 36.6 kmPeloton · bike shop · 50 m off route
- 51.7 kmMavi Kitchen and Bar · café · 50 m off route
- 52 kmToilets · on the route
- 61.2 kmAsda · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 66.7 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 66.9 kmMagic Cycles · bike rental · 70 m off route
- 72.6 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 76.6 kmSinclair Pharmacy · pharmacy · 30 m off route
- 80.3 kmCastlebank Street Service Station · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 81 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 40 m off route
- 88.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 100 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 52 km — Balloch (station), 110 m off route
- 60.7 km — Dumbarton Central (station), 30 m off route
- 73.2 km — Clydebank (station), 210 m off route
- 84.6 km — Dumbreck (station), 80 m off route
- 95.4 km — Paisley Canal (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Tom Na Chisaig, Motte (archaeological site)
- 21.7 km — Scottish Wool Centre (attraction)
- 60.6 km — College Bow, arch (monument)
- 67.7 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
- 81.7 km — The Clydeside Distillery (attraction)
- 95.4 km — Saucel Hill (peak, 41 m)
At the start
- Dun Whinny's · café · 30 m
- Mhor Bread · bakery · 90 m
- The Sandwich Bar · café · 90 m
- Main Street Bakery · bakery · 110 m
- Nature's Corner · supermarket · 90 m
At the finish
- Paisley Canal · station · 90 m
- Spoons Coffee House · café · 90 m
- The Wellington · pub · 100 m
- The_Afton · pub · 140 m
- Enzo's · fast food · 100 m
Stay after this ride
- Watermill · hotel · 380 m from the finish
- My Motel · hotel · 550 m from the finish
- Broadstone House · guest house · 360 m from the finish
- Ashtree House Hotel · hotel · 700 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 7 h 09 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water is 20.7 km from 0 km
- 2.2 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 2 km on fast roads (80 km/h+)
- 16% gravel or unpaved surface