Crinan Canal
- 13 km
- 23 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 23 m
- 13 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders looking for a short, mostly flat ride with minimal climbing on cycle paths and minor roads.
A 13 km point-to-point cycle route along the Crinan Canal in Argyll and Bute, UK, mainly on cycle paths with minimal climbing.
Starting in Crinan, the route follows the canal passing Crinan Ferry at 0.8 km then Bellanoch at 3 km. The highest point is 29 m at 6.5 km, marking the mid-route high. The profile is mostly flat, with 92% flat sections, gentle climbing of 23 m overall and descents totalling 5% of the route. The surface is 97% paved with 81% of the route on cycle paths and 14% on minor roads. There is a short 2% gravel or unpaved section. From Crinan to 5.3 km, there are no cafes, shops or water for up to 5.3 km, but cafes can be found at the start and at 5.3 km, with others near the end. Toilets are available at the start and just after 5 km. Key points along the route include the villages of Cairnbaan and Lochgilphead, with archaeological sites near 1.3 km and 7.2 km. The route ends in Ardrishaig, where facilities include multiple cafes and convenience stores, plus a bike repair stand just beyond the finish.
Highlights
- Crinan Canal cycle path (10.7 km)
- Peaks Bàrr Mòr and Barr an Daimh near start
- Archaeological sites at 1.3 km and 7.2 km
- Ardrishaig finish with bike repair stand
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 81% cycle path · 14% minor road
- Cycle paths
- 10.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 3% climbing · 5% descending · 92% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmCoffee Shop · café · 90 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 110 m off route
- 5.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 5.3 kmPolly’s Coffee Stop · café · 30 m off route
- 10 kmSalty Dog Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 10.1 kmSpar · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 10.1 kmRiverside Filling Station · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 10.7 kmArgyll Pharmacies Ltd · pharmacy · 540 m off route
- 13.1 kmRepair stand · 460 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.3 km — Kilmahumaig, dun site (archaeological site)
- 7.2 km — Carn Ban Cairn (archaeological site)
At the start
- Coffee Shop · café · 90 m
At the finish
- Morrisons Daily · convenience store · 200 m
- The Ritz · café · 330 m
- Peter Law & Son · convenience store · 210 m
- The Rumblin' Tum · café · 350 m
Stay after this ride
- The Grey Gull Hotel · hotel · 60 m from the finish
- Dalriada B&B · guest house · 270 m from the finish
- Argyll Arms Hotel · hotel · 250 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 56 min
- Jul to Aug — daily highs of 16 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 5.3 km stretch from start without café, shop or water
- 1.8 km on minor roads
- 2% gravel or unpaved surface