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 holiday.
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 steam boat 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, castles and distilleries where you can stop for a 'wee dram' with isolated hamlets and classic Scottish towns. Feasts for real foodies await too; not only is this area of Scotland known for its beauty, landscape, and wildlife, but more recently its cuisine has come to the fore.
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.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £1,935 per person
- Luxury
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from £3,450 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
What’s included?
Transfer to Loch Katrine and steam ship cruise on day 3. Train fare from Pitlochry to Edinburgh. See what’s included as standard
Duration
7 nights
Start & Finish
Luxury tour starts Sundays and classic tour starts Thursdays from Loch Lomond and finishes Edinburgh. Balloch station is adjacent to Loch Lomond and is 2 hours from Edinburgh and 50 minutes from Glasgow.
Hotels
- Classic
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4 perfectly located small hotels, 2 inns and a B&B
- Luxury
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7 unique hotels - four with 5 stars, three with 4 stars
Holiday type
Self-guided
This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own. If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide
Activity level
Gentle cycling (5) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
5 days of cycling 15/17 - 24/32 miles (24 - 38/51 km) per day
Terrain
Two flat days, two longish hills and the rest undulating
Traffic-free
33% traffic free very low traffic on the rest
Options
- Add a night at the start in Glasgow to explore the art, music and architectural scene of Scotland's largest city
- Additional night at Loch Lomond to pedal north along the lochside and return by boat
- Take a day fly fishing on one of the lochs
- Enjoy white water rafting or canyoning in Pitlochry
- Additional nights in Edinburgh with a guided bike tour of the city
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
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1. Day one
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 pedalling north along the loch side to Luss and enjoying lunch before you cycle back.
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2. Day two
Loch Lomond to Gartmore
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 it's old world charm and to the banks of the River Forth which leads into Aberfoyle, your stop for the night.
17 miles (27 km)
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3. Day three
Gartmore to Callander
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 steam boat at the pier for the 1 hour cruise to the far end of the loch. Take in the view here at the cafe before pedalling 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.
24 miles (38 km)
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4. Day four
Callander to Killin
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 favourite 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.
22 miles (35km)
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5. Day five
Killin to Aberfeldy
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. 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 Aberfeldy before you reach your overnight accommodation.
24 miles (38 km)
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6. Day six
Aberfeldy to Pitlochry
The scene changes for your last day of cycling as you leave lochs behind and follow the highland valleys of the Rivers Tay and Tummel. 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 Aberfeldy and the magical woodland gardens with some very large trees at Cluny House. 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.
15 miles (25 km)
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7. Day seven
Pitlochry to 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 centre 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.
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8. Day eight
Depart Edinburgh
Depart Edinburgh at leisure.
Luxury
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1. Day one
Loch Lomond
Arrive at Loch Lomond on Thursday and check into your hotel located adjacent to the largest freshwater loch in the UK. Take a stroll along the waters edge or a cruise along the loch to enjoy the spectacular scenery and islands of this stunning location. If you can add an extra day here at Loch Lomond you will be able to make the most of this unique spot by pedalling north along the loch side to Luss and enjoying lunch before you cycle back.
-
2. Day two
Loch Lomond to Port of Menteith
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 it's 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.
27 miles (43 km)
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3. Day three
Port of Menteith to Callander
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, a bike or on foot. Board the steam boat at the pier for the 1 hour cruise to the far end of the loch. Take in the view here at the cafe before pedalling 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 your riverside hotel in the heart of this bustling little town.
24 Miles (38 km)
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4. Day four
Callander to Ardeonaig
Start the day with gorgeous, flat cycling as you head past the Falls of Leny and along the water's edge of Loch Lubnaig. Little breaks the silence here of forest and water. Reaching the little settlement of Balquhidder you can find the grave of Rob Roy. There’s drama ahead as you pedal a disused railway line that takes you past our favourite foody spot 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.
32 miles (51km)
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5. Day five
Ardeonaig to Fortingall
Your undulating route along Loch Tay gives you great views and history at The Crannog centre before you reach the attractive village of Kenmore which lies on the banks of Loch Tay, at the far end. You can hire a boat or canoe here or relax on the beach with a 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.
18 miles (29 km) or more
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6. Day six
Fortingall to Pitlochry
The scene changes for your last day of cycling as you leave lochs behind and follow the highland valleys of the Rivers Tay and Tummel. 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 Aberfeldy and the magical woodland gardens with some very large trees at Cluny House. The landscape here is cosy and pretty and the ride flattish for most of the day. Refreshed by the wonders of the Trossachs, you sneak into the highland centre of Pitlochry across the river, where your castle stay is located just downstream of the salmon ladder.
23 miles (37km)
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7. Day seven
Pitlochry to 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 centre 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.
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8. Day eight
Depart Edinburgh
Depart Edinburgh at leisure.