We are thrilled to offer this gentle bike holiday which presents a very unique opportunity to experience the dramatic and beautiful lochs and glens of the Trossachs National Park, whilst cycling on virtually flat and traffic-free terrain - that's The Carter Company way!
The Trossach hills provide a fabulous backdrop to your route, which leads you through stunning wooded glens and beside quiet lochs. Float along the serenely beautiful Loch Katrine on a steamship and pedal along the water's edge of Lochs Katrine and Lubnaig, where little breaks the silence. Spend two nights in the village of Callander at the heart of the Trossachs and two nights in a peaceful glen location, where feasts for real foodies await. Pedal along the dramatic Glen Ogle Pass using the former Callander & Oban railway line, and over the Glen Ogle viaduct, with views to die for. This area of Scotland is known for its beauty, its landscape, its wildlife, and more recently its cuisine, and the hotels we have chosen won't disappoint either.
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
-
from £1,285 per person
- Luxury
-
from £1,955 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
Duration
4 nights
Start & Finish
Starts daily from Callander, finishes Kingshouse or Balquhidder. Dunblane is the nearest station and is one hour by train from Glasgow and Edinburgh
Hotels
- Classic
-
A family run hotel in Callander and a stylish hotel in Kingshouse serving fantastic home-made food
- Luxury
-
A 16th Century manor house hotel on the river and a boutique hotel in a stunning loch-side location
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Gentle cycling (1) More info...
Electric bikes
Available
Mileage
3 days of cycling 10 - 18 miles (16 - 29 km) per day
Terrain
Pretty flat with the odd undulation
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. Touring bikes and accessories. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
One hour boat ride on the Sir Walter Scott steamship. Transfer to/from Dunblane station at the tour start/finish for Luxury tour only. Read About Our Trips for further details
Traffic-free
97%
Options
- Add an extra night on at the beginning or end of your trip with a stay at the gorgeous Cromlix hotel, which belongs to tennis star Andy Murray, just outside Dunblane
- For classic clients, transfer at start and end of tour to Dunblane station £85
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic
-
1. Day one
Arrive in Callander
Arrive in Callander which is the heart of the Trossachs area. Check into your hotel and take a stroll around the small town to find some nice foodie highlights, the Toy museum and the River Teith.
-
2. Day two
Loch Katrine
Today begins with a transfer to the Trossachs Pier on Loch Katrine. Collect your bikes from here and board the 10.30am sailing on the steamship Sir Walter Scott. Admire the views of the Trossachs hills as the boat heads to Stronachlacher at the head of the loch. On arrival, stop for some refreshment at the lochside tearoom and then hop on your bike for a gloriously traffic-free cycle around the loch shores back to the Pier, with nothing but bird song to break the silence. We transfer you back to Callander for your 2nd night.
13 miles (21 km)
-
3. Day three
Callander to Kingshouse
We transfer you to our bike base first thing this morning, where we will brief you on the days ahead and fit you to your bikes. Then it's into the saddle and off, on a largely traffic-free ride from Callander along the oh so peaceful shores of Loch Lubnaig. There are a few tea shops enroute, or you can pick up a picnic lunch from our favourite bakery before leaving. The afternoon offers more tranquil cycling along flat terrain, and a chance to take in the hamlet of Balquhidder and the almost hidden Loch Voil. Your hotel for the next 2 nights is in a wooded glen with fabulous views of the Trossachs and wonderful food.
16 miles (26 km)
-
4. Day four
Kingshouse to Killin
Today your route follows the disused railway line as it takes the Glen Ogle pass, to the town of Killin on the shores of Loch Tay. Apart from a short steep incline up to the pass, the riding is flat with fab views and glorious scenery. Pedal along the dramatic viaduct, and then through woodland as you approach Killin. Here, take a moment to visit the famous waterfalls on the river and the huge expanse that is Loch Tay, before we transfer you back to your hotel in Kingshouse. Those wanting to pedal further can cycle along Loch Tay.
10 miles (16 km) or more
-
5. Day five
Depart Kinghouse
After breakfast, depart at leisure.
Luxury
-
1. Day one
Arrive in Callander
Upon arrival, we will transfer you from Dunblane station to your hotel in Callander. Take a stroll around the small town to find some nice foodie highlights, the Toy museum and the River Teith
-
2. Day two
Loch Katrine
After breakfast, we will transfer you to the start of your first route: the Trossachs Pier on Loch Katrine. Collect your bikes here and hop on board the 10.30am sailing steamship, The Sir Walter Scott . The boat ride to Stronachlacher at the head of the loch takes an hour, so there's plenty of opportunity to sit back and soak up the Trossachs scenery. At Stronachlacher, there's the chance to stop for tea and cake at the charming lochside tearoom, before heading off for a cycle around the loch shores back to the Trossachs Pier. This route is completely traffic-free with nothing but bird song to break the silence! We transfer you back to Callander for your 2nd night.
13 miles (21 km)
-
3. Day three
Callander to Balquhidder
This morning begins with a transfer to our bike base in Callander, where you will be briefed on your route and fitted to your bikes. Once you're ready to go, climb into your saddle and begin your ride along a largely traffic-free route out of Callander along the oh so peaceful shores of Loch Lubnaig. Pause for lunch at one of the tea shops enroute or pack a picnic from our favourite bakery in Callander before leaving. The route continues into the afternoon with more gorgeous and flat tranquil cycling, with a particularly stunning section along a dead end road, through wooded banks beside the virtually hidden Loch Voil. Explore the hamlet of Balquhidder before reaching your hotel here.
18 miles ( 29 km)
-
4. Day four
Balquhidder to Killin
Today offers another wonderful route of traffic-free cycling along a disused railway line. Soar over the Glen Ogle pass and continue downhill to the town of Killin on the shores of Loch Tay. Feel the breeze in your hair as you pedal over the dramatic viaduct taking in the superb views. Your route leads you on through woodland as you approach Killin, with the famous waterfalls on the river and the huge expanse of Loch Tay providing the perfect moment to pause for a photo and a chance to take it all in. Those wanting to pedal further can cycle along Loch Tay. We transfer you back to Balquhidder for a second night there.
16 miles (26 km) or more
-
5. Day five
Depart Balquhidder
After breakfast, we will transfer you from your hotel in Balquhidder to the station in Dunblane where we will bid you farewell..