Road · United Kingdom
Dunoon – Lochgilphead
A hilly 100 km road cycling loop from Dunoon, Argyll and Bute through Ardnadam, Ardtaraig and Otterferry, with 952 m of climbing over Cruach nan Tarbh. Most of it (70.4 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 18.8 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. The first 34 km has no café, shop or water.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 100.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 952 m
- Riding time
- 5½–7½ hours
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 34 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Dunoon
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 952 m
- 100 km
Route description
- Dunoon
- Ardnadam
- Ardtaraig
- Cruach nan Tarbh
- Otterferry
- Mid Letter
- Balliemore
- Ardentinny
- Rashfield
- Dunoon
Starting from Dunoon, the route heads through several small places including Ardnadam, Sandbank, and Sandhaven. The first climb starts at km 4.9, lasting 3.3 km with an elevation gain of 84 m at an average gradient of 2.5%, reaching 90 m altitude. Passed peaks include Dalinlongart Hill at 4.5 km. The route mainly runs on main roads for 70.4 km, without cycle lanes, including 18.8 km with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
Further climbs occur between km 16.6 to 19.5 gaining 138 m at 4.8% average gradient, and a significant climb from km 25.1 for 3.4 km gaining 297 m at 8.6% average gradient, peaking at 316 m near Cruach nan Tarbh at 28.5 km. There is another climb at km 68.2 ascending 131 m over 2.5 km at 5.3% average gradient. The route descends for 5.2 km from km 29.6, dropping 309 m.
Surface is mostly paved (98%), with minimal gravel or unpaved sections (1%). Food and drink options are limited for 33.8 km from the start; after this are restaurants, cafés and shops at various points, including The Oystercatcher at 33.8 km and several stops around 58 km and 94 km. Toilets are available from km 3.1 onward at several locations. The route passes through several small towns and villages such as Strachur at 59.2 km and Blairmore at 84.8 km before returning to Dunoon.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Cruach nan Tarbh (3.4 km at 8.6 %).
- Tops out at 316 m, 28.5 km in.
- A 5.2 km descent dropping 309 m.
Highlights
- Peak at 316 m near Cruach nan Tarbh
- Longest descent 5.2 km dropping 309 m
- Four climbs over 80 m elevation gain
- Dalinlongart Hill near start
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 4.9 km | 3.3 km · 84 m · 2.5 % · max 6.7 % | — | 90 m |
| Unnamed climb | 16.6 km | 2.9 km · 138 m · 4.8 % · max 9.3 % | — | 145 m |
| Cruach nan Tarbh | 25.1 km | 3.4 km · 297 m · 8.6 % · max 14.7 % | 3.4 km · 297 m · 8.6 % | 316 m |
| Unnamed climb | 68.2 km | 2.5 km · 131 m · 5.3 % · max 10.8 % | — | 161 m |
Cruach nan Tarbh · full ascent, starts at 25.1 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 70% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 18.8 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 72% main road · 22% minor road · 3% quiet street · 1% track · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 70.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 18.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 1.2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- A815 (20 km), B8000 (19 km), B836 (16 km), C9 (12 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 16% climbing · 19% descending · 65% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.7 km over 5% · 3.2 km over 8% · 1.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 12.8% at 26.8 km
- Longest descent
- 5.2 km from 29.6 km, dropping 309 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 34 km, from the start. Along the route: 10 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 1 water point, 2 petrol stations and 5 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmCafé · 50 m off route
- 3.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 33.8 kmThe Oystercatcher · restaurant · on the route
- 47.5 kmInver · restaurant · 30 m off route
- 58 kmBay Cottage · café · 30 m off route
- 58 kmStrachur Post Office · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 59.2 kmStrachur Filling Station · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 76.5 kmToilets · on the route
- 77.6 kmFingal's Well · spring · on the route
- 84.9 kmBlairmore Gallery · café · 80 m off route
- 88.5 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 91 kmPetrol station · 90 m off route
- 94.7 kmGeneral Store · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 94.8 kmThe Holy Loch Coffee Shop · café · 50 m off route
- 94.8 kmToilets · 70 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Ferry, 120 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.4 km — Hafton Castle (castle)
- 4.5 km — Bird Hide (viewpoint)
- 43.3 km — view of Loch Lomond (viewpoint)
- 47.9 km — Kilmorie Chapel (ruins)
- 60.9 km — An Cormer, Motte (archaeological site)
- 85.9 km — Dunselma (castle)
Know before you go
- 33.8 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
- 70.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 18.8 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more
- 1% gravel or unpaved surface
