Road · United Kingdom
Tarbert to Lamlash
A hilly 65 km road cycling route from Tarbert, Argyll and Bute to Lamlash through West Tarbert, Whitehouse and Lochranza, with 612 m of climbing over Clachan. Most of it (53.4 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 31.2 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 20 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 21–41).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 65.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 612 m
- Riding time
- 2½–3½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 20 km
- Best months
- Jul to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Tarbert → Lamlash
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 612 m
- 65 km
Route description
- Tarbert
- West Tarbert
- Whitehouse
- Lochranza
- Clachan
- Millhill
- Sunnymead
- Sannox
- Cladach
- Lamlash
Starting from Tarbert at 16.6 km, this 65.2 km route continues to Brodick, passing multiple villages including West Tarbert, Whitehouse, Kennacraig, and Lochranza. The road surface is mainly paved (87%) with a small portion on gravel or unpaved (1%) and some unmapped sections (12%). The route uses a mix of road types, predominantly main roads (58%) and major roads (25%), with small sections on cycle paths or lanes (2%) and quiet streets (2%). The longest stretch on main roads without a cycle lane is 53.4 km, with 31.2 km on roads posted at 80 km/h or more.
The route includes four climbs: an initial climb of 1.5 km gaining 44 m, followed by a 2.4 km climb with 89 m gain, another climb near 25.5 km of 2.7 km and 117 m gain, and a final climb from 42.8 km over 4.4 km with 194 m gain reaching 200 m elevation. The profile shows 21% climbing and 21% descending, with the highest point at 200 m around 47.1 km. Longest descent is a 3 km drop of 158 m starting at 47.6 km.
There are several cafés and shops near the route, notably Cafe Ca'Dora and Co-op Food near 16.7 km, and cafés near 43.3 km and 63.1 km. Water taps and toilets are available at various points including 16.7 km, 41.3 km, and 64.7 km. Bike repair and rental options exist near 41.3 km and 64.4 km. Bailout points with ferry connections are located at Kennacraig, Tarbert, Lochranza, and Brodick. The route passes beneath several peaks including Torr Nead an Eoin (325 m), Clachan (311 m), and An Cnap (53 m).
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Clachan (4.6 km at 4.3 %).
Highlights
- Climbs up to 200 m elevation
- Peaks Torr Nead an Eoin and Clachan nearby
- Longest descent of 3 km dropping 158 m
- Cafés and shops near Tarbert and Brodick
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 1.5 km · 44 m · 2.9 % · max 4.7 % | — | 53 m |
| Unnamed climb | 2.2 km | 2.4 km · 89 m · 3.7 % · max 6.3 % | — | 128 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.5 km | 2.7 km · 117 m · 4.3 % · max 7.2 % | — | 124 m |
| Clachan | 42.8 km | 4.4 km · 194 m · 4.4 % · max 7.6 % | 4.6 km · 195 m · 4.3 % | 200 m |
Clachan · full ascent, starts at 42.8 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 82% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 31.2 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 58% main road · 25% major road · 2% path · 2% road with cycle lane · 2% other roads and tracks · 11% unmapped
- Main roads
- 53.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 31.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 1.5 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- A841 (22 km), A83 (16 km), B8001 (16 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 87% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved and 12% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 21% descending · 59% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.2 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7.5% at 46 km
- Longest descent
- 3 km from 47.6 km, dropping 158 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 20 km, from km 21 to 41. Along the route: 35 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops, 3 water points, 9 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 16.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 16.7 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · on the route
- 16.8 kmCafe Ca'Dora · café · 40 m off route
- 16.9 kmTarbert Harbour · toilets · on the route
- 21.2 kmCorranbuie Cafe · café · 90 m off route
- 34 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 41.3 kmWater tap · 110 m off route
- 41.3 kmLochranza Loos · toilets · 170 m off route
- 41.3 kmRepair stand · 100 m off route
- 43.3 kmIsle of Arran Distillery Visitor Centre · café · 60 m off route
- 52.3 kmThe Tearoom · café · 40 m off route
- 52.6 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 63.1 kmCafé Rosaburn · café · 40 m off route
- 63.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 64.4 kmArran Bike Hire · bike rental · 40 m off route
- 64.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 64.7 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 30 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 8.6 km — Kennacraig (ferry), 350 m off route
- 17 km — Tarbert (ferry), 500 m off route
- 34 km — Ferry, 120 m off route
- 41.3 km — Lochranza Ferry Terminal (ferry), 70 m off route
- 64.7 km — Brodick Ferry Terminal (ferry), 250 m off route
Worth a stop
- 17 km — Tarbert Castle (castle)
- 31.6 km — Glenreasdell Mains Chambered Cairn (archaeological site)
- 42.1 km — Lochranza Castle (castle)
- 51.7 km — An Cnap (peak, 53 m)
- 63.1 km — Cheese Press (attraction)
Stay after this ride
- The Douglas Hotel · hotel · 50 m from the finish
- Brodick Bunkhouse · hostel · 70 m from the finish
- The Shorehouse · hotel · 300 m from the finish
- Dunvegan House · guest house · 330 m from the finish
- Hunters Guest House · guest house · 460 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Bikes and repair
- Arran Bike Hire (270 m)
- Food and coffee
- Little Rock Cafe (210 m), Hunters Coffee Shop (450 m), Wooley's of Arran Bakery (560 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (80 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 20.1 km (21.2 to 41.3 km)
- 53.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 31.2 km on fast roads (80 km/h+)
