Road · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 2 · Caledonia Way← Stage 1
Lochgilphead to Campbeltown
A hilly 114 km road cycling route from Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute to Campbeltown through Ardrishaig, Baile Boidheach and Kilberry, with 1,386 m of climbing. Most of it (100 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 6.8 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 34 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 56–89).
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 113.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,386 m
- Riding time
- 8 h 08 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 34 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Lochgilphead → Campbeltown
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,386 m
- 114 km
Route description
- Lochgilphead
- Ardrishaig
- Baile Boidheach
- Kilberry
- West Tarbert
- Crossaig
- Grogport
- Ballochgair
- Askomill
- Campbeltown
The route starts in Lochgilphead and passes through Ardrishaig after 2.4 km. Early climbs include a 2.7 km ascent from 1.8 km gaining 96 m with a max gradient of 7.3%, followed by a 3.8 km climb at 7.6 km gaining 138 m. The highest point is at 201 m around 11.7 km. Key places along the way include Achahoish, Baile Boidheach, Ormsary, and Kilberry. The road surface is predominantly paved (94%) with some gravel or unpaved sections (5%). The majority (83%) is on main roads, mostly B8024 and B842, with 100 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 6.8 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. There is a 3.6 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from 55.6 km to 89.2 km. Cafés are available early at 3 km and later at 30 km and 111.7 km near Campbeltown. Climbing is spread throughout with 24% of the route ascending; the longest descent is 3.8 km starting at 85.7 km. Notable climbs include segments between 81.9 and 91.3 km with gradients up to 10.3%. The route ends in Campbeltown, which has cafés, bars, restaurants, a bike shop and more stopped amenities.
Highlights
- Climb up to 201 m at 11.7 km
- Longest descent of 3.8 km from 85.7 km
- Peaks near the road such as Cnoc na h-Eilde
- Cafés at 3 km, 30 km, and at Campbeltown finish
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 1.8 km | 2.7 km · 96 m · 3.5 % · max 7.3 % | 105 m |
| Unnamed climb | 7.6 km | 3.8 km · 138 m · 3.6 % · max 5.7 % | 199 m |
| Unnamed climb | 23.7 km | 2.4 km · 56 m · 2.3 % · max 6.4 % | 66 m |
| Unnamed climb | 33.7 km | 1.5 km · 40 m · 2.6 % · max 5.3 % | 79 m |
| Unnamed climb | 45.4 km | 1.9 km · 50 m · 2.6 % · max 6.7 % | 63 m |
| Unnamed climb | 59.4 km | 2.3 km · 84 m · 3.7 % · max 7 % | 95 m |
| Unnamed climb | 74.3 km | 2 km · 54 m · 2.8 % · max 4 % | 74 m |
| Unnamed climb | 77.2 km | 1.5 km · 48 m · 3.3 % · max 5.8 % | 82 m |
| Unnamed climb | 81.9 km | 1.9 km · 88 m · 4.7 % · max 8 % | 97 m |
| Unnamed climb | 88.9 km | 1.5 km · 56 m · 3.7 % · max 7.6 % | 70 m |
| Unnamed climb | 91.3 km | 1.5 km · 64 m · 4.2 % · max 10.3 % | 89 m |
| Unnamed climb | 95.8 km | 1.7 km · 64 m · 3.8 % · max 8.7 % | 89 m |
| Unnamed climb | 104.1 km | 1.6 km · 42 m · 2.6 % · max 6.2 % | 49 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 88% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 6.8 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 83% main road · 6% major road · 5% track · 2% cycle path · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 100 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 6.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 2.5 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B8024 (44 km), B842 (42 km), B8001 (7 km), A83 (7 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 94% is mapped as paved, 5% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 26% descending · 50% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.8 km over 5% · 0.7 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.8% at 93.8 km
- Longest descent
- 3.8 km from 85.7 km, dropping 70 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 34 km, from km 56 to 89. Along the route: 24 cafés and restaurants, 5 shops, 1 water point, 3 public toilets and 4 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmArgyll Pharmacies Ltd · pharmacy · 550 m off route
- 2.6 kmMorrisons Daily · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 3 kmThe Ritz · café · 210 m off route
- 3 kmRepair stand · 350 m off route
- 30 kmSeaview Café · café · 370 m off route
- 55.6 kmCorranbuie Cafe · café · 90 m off route
- 89.2 kmThe Glen Bar and Restaurant · restaurant · on the route
- 89.2 kmCarradale Bikes and Buggies · bike shop · 330 m off route
- 96.6 kmMonks Well, Saddell Abbey · spring · 60 m off route
- 111.4 kmTesco · supermarket · 300 m off route
- 111.6 kmThe Cycle Shop · bike shop · 180 m off route
- 111.7 kmCafe Bluebell · café · 90 m off route
- 111.7 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 111.7 kmBoots · pharmacy · 150 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 59.6 km — Kennacraig (ferry), 370 m off route
- 68.2 km — Ferry, 620 m off route
- 111.7 km — Campbeltown Ferry Terminal (ferry), 310 m off route
Worth a stop
- 51.1 km — Avinagillan Standing Stone (archaeological site)
- 66 km — Glenreasdell Mains Chambered Cairn (archaeological site)
- 71.5 km — Eascairt, dun site (archaeological site)
- 76.4 km — Cnoc Dubh (peak, 79 m)
- 96.6 km — Saddell Abbey (ruins)
- 101.1 km — Kildonan Bay, dun (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- The Royal Hotel · hotel · 30 m from the finish
- Earadale Bed And Breakfast · guest house · 160 m from the finish
- The Argyll Arms · hotel · 210 m from the finish
- The Hall · guest house · 490 m from the finish
- Wellhouse Bed & Breakfast · guest house · 250 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- The Black Sheep (20 m), Cafe Bluebell (90 m), Amelia's Cafe Bistro (170 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- Boots (150 m)
Know before you go
- 100 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 6.8 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limit
- Gravel or unpaved surface on 5% of route
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water for 33.6 km between 55.6 and 89.2 km
