Loch Katrine Loop
Distance: 12.8m / 20.6km
Profile: View
Grade: Moderate
Fitness: Good
Time: 3-4 Hours (including boat trip)
OS MAP: 50, 56 & 57
Route Data: GPX KML
Riders: Dave Banks, Brian Gray
Date: 23/07/2016
Summary
An undulating private tarmac road with nice views over Loch Katrine and the surrounding area. There are some steep climbs that may require you to get off your bike. There is also a section of optional singletrack to give you a break from the tarmac road.
Reasonable levels of fitness are required due to the steepness of some of the climbs along the route.
Loch Katrine has served as the main fresh water supply for the city of Glasgow for over 150 years.
Details
Starting at the Trossachs Pier car park, head up to the ticket office to buy a one way ticket to Stronachlachar for both yourself and the bike. During busy periods, it may be advisable to book in advance.
Once on board, enjoy the trip up Loch Katrine to Stronachlachar which takes approximately 1 hour. There is little sign of the tarmac road from the loch, so you don't get any idea of the route back.
When you arrive at Stronachlachar, take the only road from the car park for the few hundred yards before it swings left at the cottage. When it swings left, take the road to the right through the white gates and follow this road all the way back to Trossachs Pier.
There are various viewpoints along the route where it is worth stopping and some good downhill sections, but some of the climbs are brutal, and it can be a bit of a hard slog to the top.
Photo Gallery
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Trossachs Pier car park |
Ticket Office |
Pier for the Sir Walter Scott |
Lady of the Lake |
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Sir Walter Scott |
Sir Walter Scott |
Sir Walter Scott |
Pier for the Sir Walter Scott |
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Sir Walter Scott |
Sir Walter Scott |
Sir Walter Scott |
Sir Walter Scott |
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Bikes on board |
Engine room |
Leaving Trossach Pier |
View through porthole |
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Highland cows going for a paddle |
View from the boat |
Approaching Stronachlachar |
Stronachlachar and Factors Island |
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Smoke stack |
Stronachlachar Pier |
Stronachlachar Pier |
Sir Walter Scott leaving Stronachlachar Pier |
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Sir Walter Scott leaving Stronachlachar Pier |
Sir Walter Scott leaving Stronachlachar Pier |
Sir Walter Scott leaving Stronachlachar Pier |
Stronachlachar Tea Room |
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Head through the white gates |
Sign at junction |
Fishing boat |
Boathouse |
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Private burial ground |
Mountain stream |
Looking back to one of the long climbs |
Stronachlachar |
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Downhill section |
View across Loch Katrine |
Brenachoille Point |
Brenachoille Point |
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Trossachs Pier |
Lady of the Lake |
Trossachs Pier |
Lady of the Lake |
Video