Ferrys over the Clyde

[Cush]

Early days yet but come May I will be looking to cross the Clyde heading North towards Killin but I don’t mind going via Crialarich. If possible, I want to avoid the Erskine bridge. It seems the ferry from Gourock to Helensburgh is finished, is there any other ferry’s to Helensburgh or is there a feasible route via Kilcreggan.

 

[Rasmus]

Any particular reason to avoid the Erskine Bridge? The southern approach roads have fairly low amounts of traffic, and on the north you're onto the NCN cyclepath almost directly.

Anyway, from Kilcreggan heading towards Crianlarich take the road up the west side of the Gare loch, and continue up the A814 to Arrochar and cross over to the A82 along Loch Lomond. The terrain is somewhat undulating, but you have some very nice views of the Arrochar Alps along the way.

 

[GBC]

Hi, did you particularly want a ferry route? The obvious choice I would have thought would be NCR 7 or there are a choice of other bridge crossings between the Erskine Bridge and Glasgow. Going via Kilcreggan and Gairloch would certainly be viable and very picturesque at any time of year, but certainly won't qualify as a short cut. You would then head from Gairloch over Glen Fruin and north up the A 82 to Crianlarich, but cycling on the A 82 would not be my idea of fun - it's a very busy, and fast, single carriageway road.

 

[vernon]

There's nowt wrong with the Erskine Bridge crossing.

I'm not sure about folks' aversion to the A82. I didn't find it intimidating.

 

[zizou]

The Erskine Bridge has a segregated cycle path along it so you is ok to ride over. It makes for a surprisingly big 'hill' though! If you are going up the A82 then you can avoid the road if you want and take the cycle path that goes up the side of Loch Lomond, i think this finishes just before Tarbet, however i'm not 100% sure of that. It is the sort of cycle path more suited for pootling along though (narrow,) if you want to put the hammer down then better off on the A82.

The Kilcreggan ferry would make for a nice route though and a bit quieter - if i was going over that way then i'd go over to Kilcreggan then up to Garelochhead follow the A814 to Arrochar then take a right on the A83 to Tarbet then head to Crianlarich.

 

[Cush]

Thanks for the answers. There are two main reasons to avoid Erskine Bridge:
(1) I like ferrys
(2) I want to keep clear of the Glasgow urban area
I will be useing NCR7 a lot of the way but now and again I like to put my own touch to a trip.
I am definately a slow coach and stops are regular,

 

[zizou]

Thanks for the answers. There are two main reasons to avoid Erskine Bridge:
(1) I like ferrys
(2) I want to keep clear of the Glasgow urban area
I will be useing NCR7 a lot of the way but now and again I like to put my own touch to a trip.
I am definately a slow coach and stops are regular,

I'd go for the Kilcreggan ferry then - you'll be able to take the NCR7 then either head towards Gourock along the roads once you reach somewhere like Lochwinnoch or continue on to Linwood and the fork on NCR75 which will take you along to Gourock. The cycle network in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde is very good - most of it is off road on good tarmac surface.

 

[theloafer]

we used this ferry last time... http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/renfrew/ferry/index.html then just followed the signpost,s through glassgow and along the canal path all the way to BALLOCH south off loch lomond (lots of great tea stops on route).. just a idea for you

http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/11393103/

 

[Cush]

Thanks i will look it up.

 

[Willie Erskine]

Agree with theloafer, Renfrew ferry would be my bet depending on how you are coming into Glasgow. You can, in summer, pick up a boat in Glasgow City Centre at Broomielaw that will take you down via the Science Centre, Braehead Shopping Centre to Yoker (where the Renfrew Ferry crosses). Not very regular but worth it for a decent jaunt along the river. Bikes welcome.