Loch Lomond to Edinburgh: Lakes & Valleys of Scotland
Self guided from GBP £ 1935
Bike tour in Scotland
Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour
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Lakes and Valleys of Scotland
From the shores of Loch Lomond, through to the dramatic lochs and glens of the Trossachs National Park, to Pitlochry in the Highlands and onto Edinburgh, this is a stunning vacation.
The Trossach hills provide a fabulous backdrop to your route, which leads you through stunning wooded glens and beside quiet lochs to the highland town of Pitlochry. Float along the serenely beautiful Loch Katrine aboard a steamboat and ride along the water's edge of many a loch, where little breaks the silence.
Pedal along the dramatic Glen Ogle Viaduct using a former railway line with views to die for. Forests alternate with sheep clad slopes, isolated hamlets, classic Scottish towns, castles, and distilleries where you can stop for a "wee dram" or smooth Scottish whiskey. Feasts for real foodies await too; not only is this area of Scotland known for its beauty, landscape, and wildlife, but recently its cuisine has been garnering attention.
Your cycling adventure ends in Pitlochry. From here, you ride the train to Edinburgh and explore this vibrant capital with an overnight stay in the heart of the city.
Highlights
- Loch Lomond
- Stunning Trossachs countryside and scenery
- Gartmore and the Port of Menteith
- Steamboat crossing of Loch Katrine
- The Falls of Dochart and the village of Killin
- Castle Menzies, the water mill, and whisky distillery in Aberfeldy
- Pitlochry
- Edinburgh
Learn More
Learn more about self-guided tours.
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CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Kenmore, Scotland. CC:KS Brown' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Rumbledethumps, a Scottish dish. CC:Glane23' data-type='image'>
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Daily program
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Day 1: Loch Lomond
Arrive at Loch Lomond on Thursday and check into your hotel located adjacent to the largest freshwater loch in the UK. This is the day to enjoy the spectacular scenery and islands of this stunning location. Take a stroll along the waters edge or a cruise along the loch. If you can add an extra day here at Loch Lomond you will be able to make the most of this unique spot by pedaling north along the lakeside and returning by boat.
Overnight in Loch LomondDay 2: Loch Lomond – Gartmore (17 miles/27 km)
Your host will meet you this morning, brief you on your itinerary and fit you to your bikes. Then you are off, leaving Loch Lomond behind to pedal through the Trossachs countryside - sheep clad hills and vales dotted with farms and pretty views. The town of Drymen provides some great refreshment choices as you prepare for the longish hill through forest. Beyond is a free-wheel into Gartmore with its old world charm and its old world charm where you will stop for the night.
Overnight in GartmoreDay 3: Gartmore – Callander (24 miles/38 km)
Today begins with a transfer over the dramatic Duke's Pass to Loch Katrine. This magical loch is one of the Trossach's great gems - only viewable from a boat. Board the steamboat at the pier for the 1-hour cruise to the far end of the loch. Take in the view here at the cafe before pedaling around the loch. Riding on through Queen Elizabeth forest on a traffic-free track you pass alongside Lochs Achray and Venachar before arriving in Callander. Relax overnight in the heart of this bustling little town.
Overnight in CallanderDay 4: Callander – Killin (22 miles/35 km)
What a great day lies ahead! There's plenty of gorgeous, flat cycling as you head past the Falls of Leny and along the water's edge of Loch Lubnaig. You then pick up a disused railway line that takes you to our favorite foody spot which shouldn't be missed and on to the wonderful Glen Ogle viaduct. This gives you a bird's eye view of Loch Earn and the surrounding mountains well known by Rob Roy as well as a traffic-free route to die for. The Falls of Dochart signal you have arrived in the village of Killin where the mountains meet Loch Tay. Your overnight stop is in the heart of the village.
Overnight in KillinDay 5: Killin – Aberfeldy (24 miles/38 km)
Today is all about Loch Tay as you pedal the full length of this huge expanse of water. The ride along a back road is peaceful and undulating with stunning views across the water of mountains and Ben Lawers. Perhaps you will pack a picnic as refreshment stops are minimal until you reach the attractive village of Kenmore at the far end of the loch. The scene changes as you you leave the loch behind and follow the highland valleys of the Rivers Tay. These wider valleys shelter villages, gardens, castles and distilleries and plenty to stop and explore. Visit 16th Century Castle Menzies and its turrets and cellars, the water mill and whisky distillery in you may have time to sample a ‘wee dram’
Overnight in AberfeldyDay 6: Aberfeldy – Pitlochry (16 miles/25 km)
Setting out again on your last day of cycling and following the River Tay, the magical woodland gardens with some very large trees at Cluny House are worth a visit, before you come to Grandtully take a detour and cross the bridge to find a choice of great lunch stops and a very special chocolate shop. The landscape here is cosy and pretty and the ride flattish for most of the day. You sneak into the highland centre of Pitlochry across the river, just downstream of the salmon ladder and refreshed by the wonders of the Trossachs.Day 7: Pitlochry – Edinburgh
Leave your bike in Pitlochry this morning and hop onto the train to reach Edinburgh in a couple of hours. Here your accommodation lies close to the station and the center of Scotland's capital city. The day is yours to explore as you wish and we give you our top ten tips for enjoying this vibrant and wonderful city.Day 8: Depart Edinburgh
Depart Edinburgh at your leisure, or book extra nights. -
Day 1: Loch Lomond
Arrive at Loch Lomond on Thursday and check into your hotel located adjacent to the largest freshwater loch in the UK. This is the day to enjoy the spectacular scenery and islands of this stunning location. Take a stroll along the waters edge or a cruise along the loch. If you can add an extra day here at Loch Lomond you will be able to make the most of this unique spot by pedaling north along the lakeside and returning by boat.
Overnight in Loch LomondDay 2: Loch Lomond – Port of Menteith (27 miles/43 km)
Your host will meet you this morning, brief you on your itinerary and fit you to your bikes. Then you are off, leaving Loch Lomond behind to pedal through the Trossachs countryside - sheep clad hills and vales dotted with farms and pretty views. The town of Drymen provides some great refreshment choices as you prepare for the longish hill through forest. Beyond is a free-wheel into Gartmore with its old world charm and its old world charm and to the Port of Menteith, your stop for the night. Your hotel sits on the banks of the only ‘lake’ in Scotland.
Overnight in Port of MenteithDay 3: Port of Menteith – Callander (20 miles/32 km)
Today begins with a transfer over the dramatic Duke's Pass to Loch Katrine. This magical loch is one of the Trossach's great gems - only viewable from a boat. Board the steamboat at the pier for the 1-hour cruise to the far end of the loch. Take in the view here at the cafe before pedaling around the loch. Riding on through Queen Elizabeth forest on a traffic-free track you pass alongside Lochs Achray and Venachar before arriving in Callander. Relax overnight in the heart of this bustling little town.
Overnight in CallanderDay 4: Callander – Ardeonaig (32 miles/51 km)
What a great day lies ahead! There's plenty of gorgeous, flat cycling as you head past the Falls of Leny and along the water's edge of Loch Lubnaig. You then pick up a disused railway line that takes you to our favorite foody spot which shouldn't be missed and on to the wonderful Glen Ogle viaduct. This gives you a bird's eye view of Loch Earn and the surrounding mountains well known by Rob Roy as well as a traffic-free route to die for. The Falls of Dochart signal you have arrived in the village of Killin where the mountains meet Loch Tay. A short pedal along the shore of Loch Tay leads to your stay overnight stay on the banks of the loch.
Overnight in ArdeonaigDay 5: Ardeonaig – Fortingall (18 miles/29 km)
Today is all about Loch Tay as you pedal the full length of this huge expanse of water. The ride along a back road is peaceful and undulating with stunning views across the water of mountains and Ben Lawers. Perhaps you will pack a picnic as refreshment stops are minimal until you reach the attractive village of Kenmore at the far end of the loch. You can hire a boat or canoe here or relax on the beach with a little refreshment. Heading on pedal the flat and delightful Lyon valley for a different scene – little known and cosy. Your characterful hotel nestles in the valley.
Overnight in FortingallDay 6: Fortingall – Pitlochry (23 miles/37 km)
Setting out again on your last day of cycling the scene changes as you you leave the loch behind and follow the highland valleys of the Rivers Tay. These wider valleys shelter villages, gardens, castles and distilleries and plenty to stop and explore. Following the River Tay, you may visit 16th Century Castle Menzies and its turrets and cellars, the water mill and whisky distillery where you may have time to sample a ‘wee dram’. The magical woodland gardens with some very large trees at Cluny House are worth a visit, before you come to Grandtully take a detour and cross the bridge to find a choice of great lunch stops and a very special chocolate shop. The landscape here is cosy and pretty and the ride flattish for most of the day. You sneak into the highland centre of Pitlochry across the river, just downstream of the salmon ladder and refreshed by the wonders of the Trossachs.Day 7: Pitlochry – Edinburgh
Leave your bike in Pitlochry this morning and hop onto the train to reach Edinburgh in a couple of hours. Here your accommodation lies close to the station and the center of Scotland's capital city. The day is yours to explore as you wish and we give you our top ten tips for enjoying this vibrant and wonderful city.Day 8: Depart Edinburgh
Depart Edinburgh at your leisure, or book extra nights.
Surface and terrain
While two of the days are mostly flat terrain, the majority of the tour has undulating hills--only two longer climbs of note.
33% will take place on bike paths and, 67% will take place on back roads
Hotels
The following hotels are provided only as samples and may vary based on availability.
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You will enjoy overnights in small hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts.
Loch Lomond: Tullie Inn
Gartmore: info coming soon
Callander: Poppies Hotel
Killin: Killin Hotel
Aberfeldy: Aileen Chraggan
Pitlochry: Craigatin House
Edinburgh: Motel-One Edinburg Royal
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Loch Lomond: Cameron House
Port of Menteith: The Lake of Menteith Hotel
Callander: The Roman Camp Hotel
Ardeonaig: Ardeonaig Hotel
Fortingall: The Fortingall Hotel
Pitlochry: Fonab Castle
Edinburgh: The Kinpton
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Glasgow or Edinburgh airports
Nearest train station: Balloch stationTour end
Nearest airport: Edinburgh airport
Nearest train station: Edinburgh Waverley station -
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Dates
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Thursdays, Apr 1-Nov 30, 2024 (minimum 2 participants)
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Sundays, Apr 1-Nov 30, 2024 (minimum 2 participants)
Prices
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Tour package
Per person, double occupancy £1935 Single rooms are on request when traveling as part of a group, solo travel is not offered on this route.
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Tour package
Per person, double occupancy £3450 Single rooms are on request when traveling as part of a group, solo travel is not offered on this route.
Bike Rentals
Electrically assisted bike £158 Included services
- 7 nights accommodation in the booked hotel category
- Breakfast each morning
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Adventure Handbook - packed full of information, history and photos of the area your tour covers
- Waterproof mobile phone holder
- Emergency service phone line
- Local host to welcome and brief you
- Standard touring bike
- Train tickets to Edinburgh on Day 7
- Transfer and steam boat on Loch Katrine on Day 3
- Route Directions on GPS route to download to your phone and OS maps
Bike rentals
Bikes available and included in the tour package (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):
- Standard touring bikes
Bikes available to rent (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):
- Electrically assisted bikes*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Bikes come equipped with the following at no additional cost:
- Pannier
- Bike pump
- Bike lock
- Toolkit and spare inner tube
- Waterproof phone holder and back up power bank and charger
- Helmet
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.Helmets:
Helmet rental is available on this tour. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
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Reviews
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★★★★★ Marie Collier 1 month ago
On the bonnie bonnie banks...
The company was very accommodating! We attended the Scottish Wild Foods Festival before the start of our tour and this just made the trip! We were shuttled from our hotel to the start of the tour at the Hotel in Balloch on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and pretty much from there had the smoothest trip! We had rain, yes, but we had the appropriate gear and we were in Scotland!!! The route took us past all sorts of gems, castles, distilleries, standing stones, stone circles, historical sites, gravesites, and amazing eateries. The hotel choices were top-notch! We loved every hotel each was different, unique, and had character (but not too much character!). The drivers who transported our luggage were prompt, attentive, and helpful. We really could not have enjoyed ourselves more. We found all sorts of treasures to stop and admire along the way, botanical gardens, ruins, waterfalls, and ancient archeological sites. Wow! I have fallen in love with Scotland! The train back to Edinburg at the end was perfect the station was close to our final hotel and the driver was there to collect our bikes literally right as we pulled in. When we arrived in Edinburg, the hotel was so close to Waverly station, so easy!
The one suggestion I would make to make the trip a little more stress-free...Puncture-resistant tire liners and "slime tubes" just switch them out before you start off on your journey. We did have a couple of flats, but we had spares, a pump, and a puncture kit, however just started off in a nice dry and warm place by switching out the tubes and putting in some liners. That was really the only thing I wish I'd had. Note: I did bring my own saddle (Terry Butterfly Ti gel) and the bike shop switched that out for me as well as my own clipless pedals. I also had rain shoe covers (which many folx stopped me to ask where to buy them). I was comfortable, dry, and warm. Could not have been a better trip! Thanks so much!
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