December 2017| 31
ch Lomond
2 . The Rob Roy Loop Na , Lo
tional Park
& The Trossachs
)
Distance: 13 miles (21 km
Start: Strathyre
Finish: Circular
Grade: Easy
al roads and flat off-road
ess: A mixture of quiet rur
Terrain, gradients and acc
cycle paths.
h Strathyre Forest,
ows tracks north throug
foll
and
ed
ain
ert
ent
s
e
has plenty to keep the kid
h pretty Balquhidder – hom
s beautiful circular loop
, the route passes throug
est
for
the
Route Description: Thi
m
fro
ing
erg
rp-eyed! Em
The route then
en be spotted by the sha
ul views along Loch Voil.
utif
bea
are
re
the
and
–
where red squirrels can oft
hero) Rob Roy McGregor
h Lubnaig and Ben Ledi.
al outlaw (some say folk
re are fantastic views of Loc
the
ere
wh
e,
to the historic grave of loc
ous
gsh
Kin
at
ing NCN 7
h Auchtubh before re-join
follows a quiet road throug
.
r starting point at Strathyre
Follow the path back to you
llander
Callander, Wheelology, Ca
e, Wheels Cycling Centre,
Hir
e
Bik
yre
ath
Str
e:
hir
Cycle
3. The Deeside Way, Aberdeenshire
Distance: Burn O’ Vat 5.5
mil
es (9 km) or Dinnet 7 mil
Start: Ballater
Finish: Burn O’ Vat or Din
es (11 km)
net
Grade: Easy
Terrain, gradients and acc
ess: Flat gravel off-road cyc
le path, with a short on-roa
Loch Kinord. Signposted
d section if including the
NCN 195
Burn O’Vat Visitor Centr
e and
Route Description: The
route starts in Ballater’s
Station Square on Royal
railway line. Never far fro
Deeside and follows a wa
m the River Dee, you’ll pas
ymarked path along the
s through quiet woodlan
old Deeside
d with lovely views of the
After 2 miles (3.5 km), tak
surrounding mountains.
e a short detour to Tullich
Kirkyard, to see old graves
May, where you’ll find an
and historic Pictish stones
old station building and
, before continuing on to
an impressive suspension
the Burn O’ Vat, a huge
Cambus O’
bridge – a favourite picnic
geological pothole, and
spo
t. Take a detour here and
the
Muir of Dinnet National
be extended to Aboyne.
explore
Nature Reserve, or continu
e on to Dinnet. The route
can also
Cycle hire: Bike Station,
Ballater, Cycle Highlands,
Ballater