Trossachs - NCR7
- Thread starter sayek1
- Start date
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HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I don't know about the section south of Loch Venachar but I've done the Loch Venachar To Callendar section a couple of times on a road bike. In the Achray Forrest the path is lightly compacted earth it is passable but I wouldn't fancy it in the wet. I'm guessing that the section from Aberfoyle through the forrest will be of the same condition but may be more pleasurable do to the gradients involved. On retrospect I'd be tempted to go up Dukes Pass from Aberfoyle cutting through the Forrest just south of Loch Achray (you'll probably have to walk the first short section, about 300m), if it was dry and what bike I was on. East of East Lodge (no pun intended, thats really its name 
) the surface all the way to Callandar is Tarmac. If it was wet however or if I was on one of my better road bikes I'd miss out the forrest all together go up Dukes Pass all the way from Aberfoyle to the north banks of Loch Achray and take the A821 along the north bank of Loch Venachar (If you're wanting to go to Callendar there's a small bridge about 3/4 or more of the way along it takes you by a quieter road to Callendar) (If you are wanting to go further north on the NCN7 I'd skip callendar and continue north and join the path just south of the bridge to Kilmahog). Good luck 
) the surface all the way to Callandar is Tarmac. If it was wet however or if I was on one of my better road bikes I'd miss out the forrest all together go up Dukes Pass all the way from Aberfoyle to the north banks of Loch Achray and take the A821 along the north bank of Loch Venachar (If you're wanting to go to Callendar there's a small bridge about 3/4 or more of the way along it takes you by a quieter road to Callendar) (If you are wanting to go further north on the NCN7 I'd skip callendar and continue north and join the path just south of the bridge to Kilmahog). Good luck StirlingCrispin
New Member
- Location
- Stirling, Scotland
HLaB talks sense.
Even on a touring bike with 32c tyres the off-road route can be hard work in the wet. And I've seen grown men in tears after attempting it.
The road option is superb and probably more scenic too.
That said, if you're got the time I would add in a detour and go round Loch Katrine via Stronlochard -a very scenic route with 14 miles of closed road!
And enjoy - the scenery is stunning for the whole route.
Even on a touring bike with 32c tyres the off-road route can be hard work in the wet. And I've seen grown men in tears after attempting it.
The road option is superb and probably more scenic too.
That said, if you're got the time I would add in a detour and go round Loch Katrine via Stronlochard -a very scenic route with 14 miles of closed road!
And enjoy - the scenery is stunning for the whole route.
I have not used NCN 7 or any of the off road tracks in that area. But, we spent a very pleasant weekend away at Callander and cycled many of the roads in the area. As Stirlingcripin has stated, the route around Loch Katrine is very beautiful and almost traffic free and if you have the time, well worth the effort. The 2 road options from Aberfoyle to Callander are fine, personally I would choose the northern route as in my experience it seemed to have less traffic on it, but we did a quick loop around Dukes Pass and it was attractive and pleasant. Heading north from Callander on road is much less fun. The A84 is very busy and not cycle friendly. The route to the west of Loch Lubnaig has a tricky downhill off-road section that I would not recommend for a road bike. On the day we wanted to head north, we popped the bikes in the car and drove to Killin to do a loop around to Pitlochry on some stunning back roads. Good luck - hope you enjoy it.
Thanks to all of you for the advice. It looks to be forecasting wet so avoiding the trails sounds like a good idea.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Regarding Loch Katrine, I did this on the Tross Ton and it was beautiful - slightly more undulating than I anticipated from the map, but fantastic scenery and one I would recommend to everyone.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Regarding Loch Katrine, I did this on the Tross Ton and it was beautiful - slightly more undulating than I anticipated from the map, but fantastic scenery and one I would recommend to everyone.