Cyclists.com

Kelvindale to Loch Lomond

Glasgow, Glasgow City, United KingdomRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Wednesday 12th August 2026

71 km
Distance
212 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Kelvindale to Loch Lomond

Elevation profile

Total ascent
212 m
Distance
71 km
020406080100m0 km20406071 km83 m · highest, at 31.9 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders able to handle moderate distance with gentle climbing of 242 m over 71 km.

71 km loop ride from Bearsden to Loch Lomond near Glasgow, Scotland, with 242 m climbing.

The route starts near Kelvindale and progresses through several suburbs including Jordanhill, Anniesland, and Clydebank before reaching Balloch at 29 km. The surface is mostly paved (81%) with a small section of gravel or unpaved (5%) and some unmapped terrain. Roads include cycle paths (26 km), minor roads (14 km), and main roads (8 km) with 8.5 km on main roads lacking cycle lanes and 5 km on roads posted at 80 km/h or more. The climb begins shortly after Balloch from km 28.5 to 31.1, gaining 66 m over 2.6 km at an average gradient of 2.6%, peaking at 82 m above sea level. The terrain is predominantly flat (85%) with short steep sections up to 4% gradient near km 31. The route proceeds past Gartocharn and Drymen, joining the eastern return toward Bearsden, Summerston and finishing in West End. Facilities along the route include cafes such as Cafe 81 at 6.4 km, Dandi at 20.2 km, and Skoosh at 46.6 km. There are convenience stores like Day-Today at 3.1 km and supermarkets including Asda at 19.2 km and Co-op Food at 28.9 km. Water taps are available at 13.4 km and 28.6 km. Bailout points include stations at Kelvindale (0.5 km), Clydebank (7.6 km), Dumbarton Central (19.8 km), Balloch (28.4 km), and Hillfoot (65.5 km). There is a 17.4 km stretch without café, shop or water between 46.8 km and 64.2 km.

Highlights

  • Climb past Balloch with 66 m gain
  • Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath for 12 km
  • Near Hill of Dun mountain at 14 km
  • Route around Loch Lomond area

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Blairdardie 4.2 km
  2. Knightswood 4.4 km
  3. Garscadden 4.8 km
  4. Old Drumchapel 5.4 km
  5. Drumchapel 5.6 km
  6. Yoker 5.8 km
  7. Linnvale 6.4 km
  8. Whitecrook 6.4 km
  9. Drumry 6.9 km
  10. Clydebank 7.6 km
  11. Kilbowie 7.7 km
  12. Garnieland 8.3 km
  13. Radnor Park 8.8 km
  14. Parkhall 9.1 km
  15. Dalmuir 9.5 km
  16. Park Mains 10.1 km
  17. Erskine 10.2 km
  18. Mountblow 10.5 km
  19. Rashielee 10.9 km
  20. North Barr 11 km
  21. Bargarran 11.3 km
  22. Old Kilpatrick 12.3 km
  23. Bowling 14 km
  24. Milton 16.1 km
  25. Silverton 19 km
  26. Bellsmyre 19.3 km
  27. Townend 19.4 km
  28. Dumbarton 20.1 km
  29. Kirktonhill 20.5 km
  30. Brucehill 20.6 km
  31. Dalreoch 20.7 km
  32. Castlehill 21.6 km
  33. Westcliff 21.6 km
  34. Renton 24.1 km
  35. Bonhill 25.7 km
  36. Alexandria 26.5 km
  37. Jamestown 27.7 km
  38. Tulliechewan Farm 28.3 km
  39. Balloch 28.8 km
  40. Gartocharn 36.3 km
  41. Croftamie 43.9 km
  42. Gaidrew 44.1 km
  43. Gateside 46.5 km
  44. Drymen 46.6 km
  45. Buchanan Smithy 46.8 km
  46. Milngavie 64.2 km
  47. Bearsden 65.6 km
  48. Summerston 68.5 km
  49. Maryhill 69 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—28.5 km2.6 km66 m2.6 %4.3 %82 m

High point 82 m at 31.1 km; low point 2 m. Passes beneath Hill of Dun, Dumbowie, Duncryne.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
37% cycle path · 20% minor road · 12% main road · 9% quiet street · 12% unmapped
Main roads
8.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
26.4 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
Forth and Clyde Canal Towpath (12 km), A811 (3 km), C9 (3 km)
Surface
81% paved · 5% gravel or unpaved · 15% unmapped
Gradient
8% climbing · 6% descending · 85% flat

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 17 km, from 47 km to 64 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 1.2 kmLock 27 · pub · 30 m off route
  2. 2.7 kmToilets · 90 m off route
  3. 6.4 kmCafe 81 · café · 40 m off route
  4. 9.3 kmHenry's · petrol station · 60 m off route
  5. 13.5 kmPaton's Place · café · on the route
  6. 16 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  7. 19.7 kmMurco · petrol station · 40 m off route
  8. 20.1 kmDumbarton Pharmacy · pharmacy · 120 m off route
  9. 20.2 kmToilets · 120 m off route
  10. 28.6 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 80 m off route
  11. 28.8 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 60 m off route
  12. 28.9 kmToilets · 30 m off route
  13. 46.6 kmSkoosh · café · on the route
  14. 46.7 kmToilets · 60 m off route
  15. 46.8 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 50 m off route
  16. 65.4 kmLiggy's Cake Company · bakery · 30 m off route
  17. 66 kmReach Pharmacy · pharmacy · 50 m off route
  18. 66.8 kmBP · petrol station · on the route

Need to bail out?

  • 0.5 km — Kelvindale (station), 60 m off route
  • 7.6 km — Clydebank (station), 240 m off route
  • 19.8 km — Dumbarton Central (station), on the route
  • 28.4 km — Balloch (station), 100 m off route
  • 65.5 km — Hillfoot (station), 40 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 7.8 km — ORP Piorun Memorial (monument)
  • 12.6 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)
  • 19.8 km — College Bow, arch (monument)
  • 45.2 km — Catter Law, Motte (archaeological site)
  • 65.5 km — Antonine Wall (ruins)

At the start and finish

  • Cleveden Deli · café · 120 m
  • Kelvindale · station · 570 m
  • spice of india · fast food · 110 m
  • wok cusine · fast food · 120 m
  • 111 by Nico · restaurant · 120 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
2½–3½ hours riding
Season
August with temperatures around 23°C.
Best months
Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 17.4 km longest stretch without cafe, shop or water from 46.8 km to 64.2 km
  • 8.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane
  • 5 km on roads posted 80 km/h or more
  • 5% gravel or unpaved surface

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

9 photographs from the road

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