Road · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 77
A rolling 79 km road cycling route from City Quay through West End, Monorgan and East Leys, with 492 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 78.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 492 m
- Riding time
- 5 h 37 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- City Quay
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 492 m
- 79 km
Route description
- City Quay
- West End
- Monorgan
- East Leys
- Cottown
- Balthayock
- Kincarrathie
- Huntingtowerfield
- Little Dunkeld
Starting at Dundee's City Quay, the route quickly passes through the City Centre and West End before heading northwest through suburban areas like Logie and Ninewells. The route covers a mix of minor roads (47%) and main roads (23%), with 16% on cycle paths and smaller shares on quiet streets, tracks and paths. The first 20 km have limited facilities, with the longest stretch without a café, shop, or water from km 6.3 to 20.1.
Climbing starts gently with a notable 4.1 km climb from km 28.2 gaining 122 m at an average of 3%, peaking beneath Glencarse Hill near km 32.6. A second shorter climb begins around km 44.3, raising 48 m over 2.1 km. The highest point on the route is at 144 m around km 32.3. The route then descends towards Perth at 36.4 km, providing more shops, cafés, and bike shops. Additional climbs and rolling terrain continue into the route's latter stages, finishing near Logierait at 77.6 km. The surface is mostly paved (98%), with 2% gravel or unpaved segments. There are 13.8 km without refreshment or shop options early on, but many venues and bailouts at stations like Dundee, Invergowrie, Perth, and Dunkeld and Birnam.
Highlights
- Climb beneath Glencarse Hill and Binn Hill
- Views near Tay View at 3.7 km
- Pass through Perth City Centre at 36.4 km
- Archaeological sites near Newton of Glencarse
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 28.2 km | 4.1 km · 122 m · 3 % · max 10.7 % | 144 m |
| Unnamed climb | 44.3 km | 2.1 km · 48 m · 2.3 % · max 4.3 % | 71 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (18 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 47% minor road · 23% main road · 16% cycle path · 7% quiet street · 7% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 18 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 35.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 12.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B898 (9 km), B867 (7 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 15% climbing · 12% descending · 73% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.9 km over 5% · 0.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9% at 30.3 km
- Longest descent
- 2.8 km from 34.1 km, dropping 130 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 209 cafés and restaurants, 26 shops, 3 water points, 2 petrol stations, 11 public toilets and 10 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.1 kmForks Café · café · 40 m off route
- 0.1 kmDundee Cycle Hub Waterfront · bike rental · 50 m off route
- 0.3 kmBoots · pharmacy · 390 m off route
- 0.5 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 1.2 kmTesco · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 20.1 kmThe Carse Chemist · pharmacy · on the route
- 20.2 kmThe Lass O'Gowrie · café · 30 m off route
- 20.2 kmToilets · on the route
- 26.4 kmSt Madoes Store · convenience store · on the route
- 36.1 kmDavidsons Chemists · pharmacy · 30 m off route
- 36.3 kmJ M Richards · bike shop · 120 m off route
- 36.4 kmKafe Krishna · café · on the route
- 45 kmBridgeton Stores · convenience store · on the route
- 54.9 kmThe Atholl · pub · on the route
- 63 kmThe Cauld Well · spring · 170 m off route
- 64.2 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · on the route
- 64.2 kmDavidsons Chemists · pharmacy · on the route
- 64.3 kmProgression Bikes · bike shop · 50 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.5 km — Dundee (station), 110 m off route
- 6.8 km — Invergowrie (station), on the route
- 36.4 km — Perth (station), 1.0 km off route
- 62.9 km — Dunkeld and Birnam (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 3.7 km — Tay View (viewpoint)
- 27.3 km — Newton of Glencarse (archaeological site)
- 36.4 km — Albert Monument (monument)
- 44.7 km — College Mill (archaeological site)
- 64.7 km — Stanley Hill (peak, 69 m)
- 73.7 km — Milton of Kincraigie (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Logierait Inn · hotel · 390 m from the finish
- Castle Peroch · guest house · 2.5 km from the finish
- Ballinluig Hotel · hotel · 1.4 km from the finish
- Tulliemet House · hotel · 3.8 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Dundee (540 m)
- Water
- Top Up Tap (260 m)
- Bikes and repair
- Dundee Cycle Hub Waterfront (130 m)
- Food and coffee
- Forks Café (120 m), Heather Street Food (230 m), Tatha Bar and Kitchen (330 m)
Know before you go
- 13.8 km no café, shop or water between 6.3 km and 20.1 km
- 18 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 35.7 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- About 2% gravel or unpaved surface
