inversnaid-pier-with-two-moored-boats-and-upturned-red-boat-and-arrochar-alps-summits-in-the-distance-over-loch-lomond

Old Military Rd. (Inversnaid – Trossachs Pier)

Grading: moderate.

Taking in the three spectacular lochs of Lomond, Arklet and Katrine with views of Ben Lomond, Ben Venue and the Cobbler, this route also has the option of combining cycling with a journey by waterbus for added variety. The route can be done as a one way / return journey or combined with Waterbus services on Loch Katrine (and bookable transport thereafter) to continue your journey into the National Park.

At a glance

Description: heading east
Distance: 8 km /5 miles
Ascent: 250m
Type: hybrids and mountain bikes
Signage: waymarking for the Great Trossachs Forest Path

group-of-hairy-highland-cows on-pebble-beach-with-arrochar-alps-mounntains-and-loch-arklet-in-the-background — Loch Arklet

Route description

From Tarbet, use the waterbus service to cross the iconic Loch Lomond to Inversnaid. A short (but sharp!) 2km climb from Inversnaid leads to the Old Garrison and RSPB Nature Reserve. From the car park turn right through the gates and follow the Old Military Road alongside Loch Arklet for 6.2km to Stronachlachar pier (cafe and waterbus connection).

If you are feeling energetic, continue riding from Stronachlachar on the shoreline road for 21km around Loch Katrine to the pier. The route has a couple of long uphill hauls, enjoyable sections of freewheeling, and a cornucopia of scenic picnic spots. The road is a private single track and relatively traffic free, however be prepared for the occasional vehicle, other cyclists and walkers.

Points of interest

Waterbus on Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine
RSPB Nature Reserve at Inversnaid
Sir Walter Scott Steamship cruises
Views of Loch Lomond, Loch Arklet, Loch Katrine, Ben Lomond, Ben Venue and the Cobbler along the way.
The Great Trossachs Path – Long Distance Route
The route is part of the wider Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve, the largest of its sort in the UK

Facilities

Tarbet, Inversnaid, Stronachlachar and Trossachs Pier all have places to eat and drink. Toilets and bicycle racks at each location.

Download route card

Details are current as of October 2015. Whilst the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and its project partners have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the route card information, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and its project partners cannot be held responsible in any way for any changes that may take place to the routes, nor for any errors in the route cards, nor for any accidents, injuries or damage sustained whilst following the routes. Cycling is a risk sport and all persons using the cycle routes do so at their own risk, acknowledging and accepting the risk of accident, injury or damage.