Road · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 3 · National Cycle Route 7 (Scotland section)Stage 2 →
Dull to Callander
A hilly 65 km road cycling route from Dull, Perth and Kinross to Callander through Kenmore, Acharn and Ardtalnaig, with 547 m of climbing. Mixed surface: 71% is mapped as paved and 28% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 65.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 547 m
- Riding time
- 4 h 40 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Dull → Callander
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 547 m
- 65 km
Route description
- Dull
- Kenmore
- Acharn
- Ardtalnaig
- Ardeonaig
- Killin
- Lochearnhead
- Kingshouse
- Strathyre
- Callander
The ride starts from Dull and passes through Kenmore at 4.2 km, continuing to Acharn at 7.3 km and Ardtalnaig at 14.9 km. The first half of the route contains most of the climbing, including a 2.9 km climb starting around 7.2 km with an average gradient of 3.2%, and further shorter climbs at 14.7 km and 27.1 km. After passing Killin at 30.7 km, a 5.2 km climb begins shortly thereafter with an average gradient of 3.1%, reaching the highest point at 294 m around 36 km.
The road surface is predominantly paved (71%) with 28% gravel or unpaved sections. The route mainly uses minor roads (48%) and cycle paths (41%), with small sections on quiet streets, tracks, a main road, and a path. The longest continuous descent is 6.2 km starting at 37 km. There are 1.2 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 4.6 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more.
Services along the route include cafés, restaurants, and shops in several villages such as Kenmore, Ardeonaig, Killin, Lochearnhead, and Callander. A notable long stretch of 14.3 km between km 5.6 and 19.9 lacks cafés, shops, or water. Toilets and bike rental are also available, especially in the latter part of the ride near Callander.
Why ride this route?
- A 6.2 km descent dropping 154 m.
Highlights
- Climb to 294 m highest point
- Falls of Dochart Inn at 30.8 km
- Cycle paths for 26.8 km
- Longest descent of 6.2 km from 37 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 7.2 km | 2.9 km · 92 m · 3.2 % · max 5.4 % | 206 m |
| Unnamed climb | 14.7 km | 1.7 km · 45 m · 2.7 % · max 4.7 % | 186 m |
| Unnamed climb | 27.1 km | 1.3 km · 46 m · 3.6 % · max 4.6 % | 165 m |
| Unnamed climb | 30.8 km | 5.2 km · 161 m · 3.1 % · max 6.3 % | 294 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 1.2 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 48% minor road · 41% cycle path · 5% quiet street · 3% track · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 1.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 4.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 26.8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 71% is mapped as paved and 28% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 27% descending · 49% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.1 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.6% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 6.2 km from 37 km, dropping 154 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 38 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops, 1 water point, 5 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 4.4 kmPaper Boat Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 4.7 kmToilets · on the route
- 19.9 kmArdeonaig Hotel · restaurant · on the route
- 30.7 kmDavidsons Chemists · pharmacy · 340 m off route
- 30.8 kmFalls of Dochart Inn Tea Room · café · 50 m off route
- 30.8 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 46.6 kmMhor 84 · restaurant · 130 m off route
- 49.9 kmThe Village Shop & Post Office · convenience store · 110 m off route
- 50.6 kmThe Broch Cafe · café · 210 m off route
- 58 kmCafé · on the route
- 58 kmToilets · on the route
- 58 kmBike rental · 50 m off route
- 64.6 kmMhor Bread · bakery · 80 m off route
- 64.6 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 64.8 kmNature's Corner · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 64.8 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 140 m off route
- 64.8 kmM. Farren Ltd · pharmacy · 100 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Comrie Castle (castle)
- 7.3 km — Acharn (archaeological site)
- 13.4 km — Lime Kiln (ruins)
- 38.3 km — Glen Ogle Viaduct (monument)
- 54.8 km — Picnic Table (picnic site)
- 64.8 km — Tom Na Chisaig, Motte (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Callander Meadows · hotel · 60 m from the finish
- Crown Hotel · hotel · 100 m from the finish
- Dreadnought Hotel · hotel · 150 m from the finish
- Westcot Guest House · guest house · 280 m from the finish
- Callander Hostel · hostel · 150 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Dun Whinny's (30 m), Mhor Bread (90 m), The Sandwich Bar (90 m)
- Shops
- Nature's Corner (90 m)
Know before you go
- 14.3 km without café, shop or water from 5.6 km to 19.9 km
- 1.2 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 4.6 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limits
- 28% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces
