Road · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 2 · Caledonia WayStage 2 →
Oban to Lochgilphead
A hilly 78 km road cycling route from Oban, Argyll and Bute to Lochgilphead through Taynuilt, Achmacraobh and Kilchrenan, with 718 m of climbing. There is a 24 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 15–38).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 77.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 718 m
- Riding time
- 5 h 32 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 24 km
- Best months
- Jul to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Oban → Lochgilphead
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 718 m
- 78 km
Route description
- Oban
- Taynuilt
- Achmacraobh
- Kilchrenan
- Inverinan
- Ford
- Kilmartin
- Nether Largie
- Bellanoch
- Lochgilphead
Starting from Oban, the route heads south passing through Taynuilt at 14.6 km, then Achmacraobh and Kilchrenan around km 24. The first notable climb begins just after km 18, lasting 3.1 km with an 81 m gain at an average gradient of 2.7%. Following that, the route continues, reaching Inverinan at 32 km and then Dalavich at 38.1 km, where the longest stretch without a café, shop or water (23.5 km) begins from km 14.6 to 38.1. The road surface is mostly paved (94%) with minor patches of gravel (6%).
Highlights
- Climb starting at 31.9 km, 3.1 km long, 105 m gain
- Passing beneath Tom an t-Saighdeir at 35.5 km
- Climb starting at 39.2 km, 3.7 km long, 140 m gain
- Final stretch to Lochgilphead with cafés and shop near km 75.5
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 18.7 km | 3.1 km · 81 m · 2.7 % · max 4.8 % | 152 m |
| Unnamed climb | 31.9 km | 3.1 km · 105 m · 3.4 % · max 6.5 % | 153 m |
| Unnamed climb | 39.2 km | 3.7 km · 140 m · 3.8 % · max 8.5 % | 191 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (21.4 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 58% minor road · 27% main road · 8% cycle path · 4% track · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 21.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 39.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 5.8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- C30 (16 km), C32 (15 km), C29 (10 km), B845 (10 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 94% is mapped as paved, 6% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 23% descending · 53% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.2 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7.5% at 41.9 km
- Longest descent
- 3 km from 11.9 km, dropping 88 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 24 km, from km 15 to 38. Along the route: 6 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 1 petrol station and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 14.6 kmThe Robin's Nest · restaurant · 150 m off route
- 14.6 kmGrahams the Grocer · convenience store · 130 m off route
- 14.6 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 38.1 kmWild Rowan Cafe · café · 90 m off route
- 38.1 kmVillage Shop & Post Office · convenience store · 100 m off route
- 60.8 kmThe Glen Bistro · café · 290 m off route
- 70.8 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 70.9 kmPolly’s Coffee Stop · café · 40 m off route
- 75.5 kmSalty Dog Cafe · café · 90 m off route
- 75.7 kmSpar · convenience store · 120 m off route
- 75.7 kmRiverside Filling Station · petrol station · 130 m off route
- 76.1 kmArgyll Pharmacies Ltd · pharmacy · 540 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 14.6 km — Taynuilt (station), 230 m off route
Worth a stop
- 2.6 km — Clach na Carraig (Diarmaid's Pillar) (archaeological site)
- 8.7 km — Duntanachan, dun site (archaeological site)
- 24.6 km — Robert MacIntyre Monument (monument)
- 31.7 km — Carn Dubh, Crannog (archaeological site)
- 52.8 km — Ford Cist (archaeological site)
- 58.2 km — Carnasserie Cottage, dun (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Lochgilphead Caravan Park · campsite · 230 m from the finish
- The Corran · guest house · 240 m from the finish
- Stag Hotel · hotel · 500 m from the finish
- Kilmory · guest house · 870 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Riverside Café (510 m), Salty Dog Cafe (580 m)
- Shops
- Spar (500 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- Argyll Pharmacies Ltd (540 m), Truhealth Pharmacy (550 m)
Know before you go
- 23.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water after Taynuilt
- 21.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 39.2 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 0.1 km with gradient over 10%