Road · United Kingdom
Regional Cycle Route 94
A mountainous 38 km road cycling route from Kames, Argyll and Bute through Auchgoyle, Millhouse and Auchoirk Farm, with 610 m of climbing. There is a 25 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 13–38).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 38.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 610 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 45 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 25 km
- Best months
- Jul to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Kames
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 610 m
- 38 km
Route description
- Kames
- Auchgoyle
- Millhouse
- Auchoirk Farm
- Melldalloch
- Kilfinan
- Lindsaig Mill
- Fearnoch
The route starts in Kames at 0.1 km, passing near peaks such as Cnoc a' Chuilinn at 0.6 km. It follows a mix of minor roads and main roads, with 15.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane and the longest segments on B8000 (14.9 km), C11 (8.5 km), and C7 (6.3 km). The surface is mostly paved (99%) with 1% gravel or unpaved.
Climbing begins just after 13 km near Auchgoyle and Millhouse, including three main climbs: a 4.2 km climb at 3.2% average gradient gaining 135 m starting at 13.1 km; a 2.2 km climb at 4.3% average gradient gaining 94 m from 23.7 km; and a 4.7 km climb averaging 5.4% with sections up to 10.7%, gaining 250 m from 28.7 km to reach the high point of 317 m at 33.4 km. Descents are also significant, with a longest descent of 3.4 km dropping 297 m from 33.5 km.
The route passes through places including Auchgoyle (13 km), Millhouse (13.6 km), Melldalloch (18.8 km), Kilfinan (23.2 km), and Fearnoch (24.3 km), ending near Clachan of Glendaruel at 37.4 km. Facilities are limited after 13.4 km; the longest stretch without café, shop or water is 24.9 km. Near the start at Kames, there are pubs, cafés, a convenience store, and toilets within a few hundred metres.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 317 m, 33.4 km in.
Highlights
- Climb reaching 317 m at 33.4 km
- Peak Cnoc a' Chuilinn near the start at 0.6 km
- Three main climbs including a 4.7 km climb at 5.4%
- Longest descent of 3.4 km dropping 297 m starting at 33.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 13.1 km | 4.2 km · 135 m · 3.2 % · max 5.3 % | 158 m |
| Unnamed climb | 23.7 km | 2.2 km · 94 m · 4.3 % · max 7 % | 114 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.7 km | 4.7 km · 250 m · 5.4 % · max 10.7 % | 317 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (15.9 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 57% minor road · 42% main road · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 15.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- B8000 (15 km), C11 (9 km), C7 (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 34% climbing · 31% descending · 35% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.8 km over 5% · 1.2 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10.5% at 30.7 km
- Longest descent
- 3.4 km from 33.5 km, dropping 297 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 25 km, from km 13 to 38. Along the route: 5 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.1 kmDuncan's Village Store · convenience store · on the route
- 0.2 kmToilets · on the route
- 0.3 kmThe Kames Hotel · pub · 40 m off route
- 11.2 kmThe Bothy · café · 60 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.6 km — Cnoc a' Chuilinn (peak, 80 m)
- 20.1 km — Corr Mheall (peak, 87 m)
- 24.1 km — Fearnoch Stone (archaeological site)
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Tide and Thyme (20 m), The Kames Hotel (260 m), Wild Kitchen (230 m)
- Shops
- Duncan's Village Store (110 m)
Know before you go
- 15.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water is 24.9 km from 13.4 km
