Road · United Kingdom
Crinan Canal
A flat 13 km road cycling route from Crinan, Argyll and Bute through Bellanoch, Cairnbaan and Lochgilphead, with 23 m of climbing. 82% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Steady riding away from traffic
- Distance
- 13.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 23 m
- Riding time
- 56 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jul to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Crinan
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 23 m
- 13 km
Route description
- Crinan
- Bellanoch
- Cairnbaan
- Lochgilphead
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.
Why ride this route?
- 82% on cycle paths or lanes.
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
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 82% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 81% cycle path · 14% minor road · 5% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 10.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 3% climbing · 5% descending · 92% flat
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 6 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 1 petrol station, 3 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
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
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Coffee Shop (90 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- The Ritz (330 m), The Rumblin' Tum (350 m)
- Shops
- Morrisons Daily (200 m), Peter Law & Son (210 m)
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
