Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 4 of 7 · EuroVelo 1← Stage 3Stage 5 →
Killin to Bonhill
A hilly 95 km road cycling route from Killin, Stirling to Bonhill through Lochearnhead, Kingshouse and Strathyre, with 846 m of climbing. There is a 21 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 39–59). Mixed surface: 63% is mapped as paved and 35% as gravel or unpaved and 2% has no surface data.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 95.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 846 m
- Riding time
- 6 h 48 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 21 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Killin → Bonhill
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 846 m
- 95 km
Route description
- Killin
- Lochearnhead
- Kingshouse
- Strathyre
- Callander
- Aberfoyle
- Dalmary
- Croftamie
- Jamestown
- Bonhill
The route starts in Killin and climbs steadily over 5 km gaining 163 m to 293 m elevation. It passes through Lochearnhead, Kingshouse, Balquhidder and Strathyre before reaching Kilmahog and the larger town of Callander by 38.6 km. The first half has 38% of the overall climbing with a high point at 5.1 km.
The surface is mixed: 63% paved, 35% gravel or unpaved, with 36% of the route on minor roads, 35% on cycle paths, 14% on tracks, and smaller portions on quiet streets, main roads and paths. There are 3.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane, with 11.8 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The route takes the C9 road for about 4 km.
After Callander, the route climbs again with smaller ascents at 48.2, 53 and 61.9 km, plus a longer climb of 4.6 km from 65.6 km. Places along the way to refuel or get supplies include cafés, shops and bakeries especially near towns like Aberfoyle (60 km), Drymen (75 km) and Balloch (89 km). There is a longest stretch of 20.7 km without café, shop or water between 38.6 km and 59.3 km. Balloch offers a station and bailout if needed. The route finishes descending to Bonhill at 91.6 km at 6 m elevation.
Why ride this route?
- A 6 km descent dropping 152 m.
Highlights
- Climb from Killin to 293 m high point
- Pass through Callander at 38.6 km
- Longest ascent 4.6 km from 65.6 km
- Near peak Bàt a' Charchel at 71.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 5 km · 163 m · 3.2 % · max 6.2 % | 293 m |
| Unnamed climb | 48.2 km | 2.2 km · 72 m · 3.3 % · max 5.9 % | 166 m |
| Unnamed climb | 53 km | 3.2 km · 114 m · 3.6 % · max 6 % | 251 m |
| Unnamed climb | 61.9 km | 2.2 km · 57 m · 2.7 % · max 6.2 % | 80 m |
| Unnamed climb | 65.6 km | 4.6 km · 122 m · 2.7 % · max 5.9 % | 178 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 3.3 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 36% minor road · 35% cycle path · 14% track · 9% quiet street · 6% other roads and tracks · 1% unmapped
- Main roads
- 3.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 11.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 31.8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- C9 (4 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 63% is mapped as paved and 35% as gravel or unpaved and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 26% descending · 53% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.8 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 10.6% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 6 km from 6.3 km, dropping 152 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 21 km, from km 39 to 59. Along the route: 70 cafés and restaurants, 16 shops, 4 water points, 1 petrol station, 13 public toilets and 8 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.1 kmFalls of Dochart Inn Tea Room · café · 70 m off route
- 15.5 kmMhor 84 · restaurant · 150 m off route
- 24.4 kmThe Broch Cafe · café · 230 m off route
- 31.8 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 38.4 kmMhor Bread · bakery · 100 m off route
- 38.6 kmNature's Corner · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 38.6 kmM. Farren Ltd · pharmacy · 140 m off route
- 51.1 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 60 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · on the route
- 60.2 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 60.3 kmAberfoyle Bike Hire · bike shop · 50 m off route
- 65 kmBlack Bull · restaurant · 50 m off route
- 75.2 kmDrymen Bakery · bakery · 40 m off route
- 75.3 kmSpar · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 75.3 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 88.7 kmMavi Kitchen and Bar · café · 80 m off route
- 88.8 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 90.8 kmAldi · supermarket · 160 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 89 km — Balloch (station), 110 m off route
Worth a stop
- 7.4 km — Glen Ogle Viaduct (monument)
- 18.4 km — Rob Roy's Grave (attraction)
- 28.6 km — Picnic Table (picnic site)
- 38.6 km — Tom Na Chisaig, Motte (archaeological site)
- 60.3 km — Scottish Wool Centre (attraction)
Stay after this ride
- Sunnyside B+B · hotel · 850 m from the finish
- Balloch House · hotel · 2.4 km from the finish
- Walhala · guest house · 2.3 km from the finish
- Time out · hostel · 2.4 km from the finish
- Norwood Guesthouse · guest house · 2.5 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Falls of Dochart Inn Tea Room (80 m), Falls of Dochart Inn (80 m), Capercaillie (220 m)
At the finish
- Trains and ferries
- Alexandria (370 m)
- Food and coffee
- Rossi's (250 m)
- Shops
- O'Brien's (370 m), Aldi (550 m), Co-op Food (510 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café/shop/water 20.7 km from 38.6 km
- 3.3 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 11.8 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 35% gravel or unpaved surface