Dunoon – Lochgilphead
- 100 km
- 952 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 952 m
- 100 km
Route overview
Riders able to cover 100 km with 913 m of climbing.
100 km loop from Dunoon in Scotland with 913 m climbing, peaking at 316 m near Cruach nan Tarbh.
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.
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 | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 4.9 km | 3.3 km | 84 m | 2.5 % | 6.7 % | 90 m |
| — | 16.6 km | 2.9 km | 138 m | 4.8 % | 9.3 % | 145 m |
| Cruach nan Tarbh | 25.1 km | 3.4 km | 297 m | 8.6 % | 14.7 % | 316 m |
| — | 68.2 km | 2.5 km | 131 m | 5.3 % | 10.8 % | 161 m |
Cruach nan Tarbh · starts at 25.1 km
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 72% main road · 22% minor road · 3% quiet street · 1% track
- 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 throughout
- 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
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 34 km, from 0 km to 34 km.
Food, water and shops
- 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)
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 5½–7½ hours riding
- August, with temperatures recorded at 19°C.
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17 °C in those months
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