Cyclists.com

Killin to Bonhill

Killin, Stirling, United KingdomRoad

Signed route The waymarked EuroVelo 1 (EuroVelo EV1), traced from OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Stage 4 of 7 of the EuroVelo 1. Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

95 km
Distance
846 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
Carpark for Millburn Park, Vale of Leven FC
Photo: Steven Brown · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
846 m
Distance
95 km
0100200300400m0 km2040608095 km293 m · highest, at 5.4 kmStartFinish

Route overview

A suitable ride for riders prepared for a medium distance with moderate climbing and mixed surfaces.

Stage 4 of 7 of the EuroVelo 1: 95.1 km from Killin to Bonhill with 846 m of climbing, on the signed route.

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.

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

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Lochearnhead 10.4 km
  2. Kingshouse 15.4 km
  3. Balquhidder 18.6 km
  4. Strathyre 24.2 km
  5. Kilmahog 36.3 km
  6. Callander 38.6 km
  7. Invertrossachs 46.1 km
  8. Aberfoyle 60.2 km
  9. Gartmore 65 km
  10. Dalmary 66.8 km
  11. Drymen 75.3 km
  12. Croftamie 78.1 km
  13. Balloch 88.7 km
  14. Jamestown 89.5 km
  15. Alexandria 90.7 km
  16. Bonhill 91.6 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—0 km5 km163 m3.2 %6.2 %293 m
—48.2 km2.2 km72 m3.3 %5.9 %166 m
—53 km3.2 km114 m3.6 %6 %251 m
—61.9 km2.2 km57 m2.7 %6.2 %80 m
—65.6 km4.6 km122 m2.7 %5.9 %178 m

High point 294 m at 5.1 km; low point 6 m. Passes beneath Meall Ear, Doon Hill, Bàt a' Charchel.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
36% minor road · 35% cycle path · 14% track · 9% quiet street · 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
63% paved · 35% gravel or unpaved
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

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: 21 km, from 39 km to 59 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0.1 kmFalls of Dochart Inn Tea Room · café · 70 m off route
  2. 15.5 kmMhor 84 · restaurant · 150 m off route
  3. 24.4 kmThe Broch Cafe · café · 230 m off route
  4. 31.8 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  5. 38.4 kmMhor Bread · bakery · 100 m off route
  6. 38.6 kmNature's Corner · supermarket · 130 m off route
  7. 38.6 kmM. Farren Ltd · pharmacy · 140 m off route
  8. 51.1 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  9. 60 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · on the route
  10. 60.2 kmToilets · 30 m off route
  11. 60.3 kmAberfoyle Bike Hire · bike shop · 50 m off route
  12. 65 kmBlack Bull · restaurant · 50 m off route
  13. 75.2 kmDrymen Bakery · bakery · 40 m off route
  14. 75.3 kmSpar · convenience store · 40 m off route
  15. 75.3 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  16. 88.7 kmMavi Kitchen and Bar · café · 80 m off route
  17. 88.8 kmToilets · 80 m off route
  18. 90.8 kmAldi · supermarket · 160 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 89 km — Balloch (station), 110 m off route

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

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)

At the start

  • Falls of Dochart Inn Tea Room · café · 80 m
  • Falls of Dochart Inn · pub · 80 m
  • Capercaillie · restaurant · 220 m

At the finish

  • Alexandria · station · 370 m
  • Rossi's · fast food · 250 m
  • O'Brien's · convenience store · 370 m
  • Aldi · supermarket · 550 m
  • Co-op Food · supermarket · 510 m

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

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
6 h 48 min
Best months
Jun to Aug — daily highs of 16–17 °C in those months

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

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

2 photographs from the road

Photo: Steven Brown · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Michael Garlick · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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