Our meet-up point will be in the elegant Victorian holiday town of Helensburgh with its long promenade, tree-lined streets, attractive parks and views across the River Clyde. Helensburgh Central and Helensburgh Upper train stations both work as arrival points depending on where you’re starting your journey. Mid-afternoon our guides will stop by Glasgow Airport if needed to collect anyone arriving by plane before reaching Helensburgh and assisting those arriving by train.

For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle in Helensburgh as we’ll be returning here at the end of the trip.

Over the evening meal in Helensburgh you’ll have the chance to get to know the rest of the group and chat with the Skedaddle guides about the next few days of riding.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1200 Metres Approx.

Today we start our journey climbing fairly gently out of Helensburgh on a mix of gravel tracks and quiet roads, following the Three Lochs Way on a route following an ancient coffin road known locally as the Highlandman’s Road. We head north past Garelochhead via Glen Fruin and Gleann Culanach before dropping down to the waters of Loch Long at Glen Douglas and into the village of Arrochar.

Soon we climb, beneath the shadows of Ben Arthur (“The Cobbler”) and the Arrochar Alps, into Ardgartan and Argyll Forest, the oldest Forest Park in Britain. More views of Loch Long await and a scenic stop at Corran Lochan before our climbing is rewarded by a challenging downhill to Lochgoilhead following the Duke’s Path. The village offers picturesque views down the loch, in an area famed for its wildlife (red squirrel, pine marten, otter, red deer, seals, porpoises, eagles and buzzards) and as a filming location for the Connery-starring Bond film From Russia with Love.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1250 Metres Approx.

From Lochgoilhead the route follows a quiet road along the loch heading south before reaching Carrick Castle. The road soon ends and the route follows a track continuing along the shore before joining a forest track with a few climbs above Ardentinny Beach. We stay off-road for a forested stretch climbing into the heart of the Cowal peninsula amongst the hills, returning to Loch Long at Blairmore and its pier which dates to 1855, where we can refuel and catch a breath looking out across the water.

We climb back into the forest heading north on a mix of gravel road, wider track and singletrack heading toward Lock Eck, passing Benmore Botanic Garden with its Redwood Avenue. Soon, cycling on the road we pass the car park at Puck’s Glen, where time allowing we have a chance to stop and walk a section of the trail through this dramatic gorge said to be home to mischievous spirits, with several waterfalls and towering Douglas firs. Good footwear is essential here, either grippy mtb-style cycling shoes or a change of footwear from the support vehicle.

Not long left go now, we ride via Holy Loch and past Hunter’s Quay ferry terminal into Dunoon, our stop for the night.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1400 Metres Approx.

From Dunoon our route climbs inland up a gravel track with views over Holy Loch and heads north on the opposite side of River Eachaig to pass yesterday’s route and on to the shores of Loch Eck. After a stunning section along the shoreline we reach Glenbranter Forest and the first of today’s two main climbs. The forested section allows glimpses to the west with stunning views as we ride beneath Beinn Mhòr, Cowal’s highest peak.

Joining the road, we follow the Cowal Way along Glendaruel, following the river for a few gentle miles before we head off-road again and enjoy our final climb of the day, with a few steeper sections (luckily only for a few miles), rising between the hills of Cruach nan Tarbh and Cruach nan Caorach. A lovely descent over the final 10 or so miles ends our day, crossing Acharossan Burn and rejoining the road a few miles outside Portavadie, where (provided timings have worked out) there will be chance to enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools at your accommodation for the night, where you can enjoy a sunset looking west across Loch Fyne.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1250 Metres Approx.

A morning ferry provides excellent views out toward the Sound of Bute and Firth of Clyde, as well as glimpses of the route ahead. Heading north from the picturesque fishing village of Tarbert, we leave the ferry terminal, past Tarbert Castle and ride north on the shores of Loch Fyne.

After this gentle warm-up we leave the loch and face our only real climb of the day, heading inland across Knapdale to the highest point of the trip at Allt Dearg wind farm. This inland section is all on gravel roads and your climb is rewarded with great views of the Clyde and Loch Caolisport in the west. After a quick descent we pass St. Columba’s Cave on the shore of Loch Caolisport before reaching Ellary and climbing again, off-road for a short and sharp climb heading toward Kilmory and its 13th century chapel. We continue on past Castle Sween on the east bank of Loch Sween, heading on the road and then a section alongside the Crinan Canal to our overnight stop at Lochgilphead. Time allowing there may be an opportunity to head to the nearby Argyll Beaver & Wildlife Centre to meet the beavers of Knapdale (or at least see evidence of their knawing!).

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1000 Metres Approx.

After a hearty breakfast we retrace our path along the Crinan Canal before crossing the Islandadd Bridge at the edge of the Moine Mhore National Nature Reserve, a vital ecosystem of lowland blanket bog and watery habitats home to coastal birds, otters and a rich diversity of wildlife. We continue on to Baluachraig and its wealth of history – Nether Largie Standing Stones and Temple Wood Stone Circle as well as several ancient cairns.

Some gravel riding takes us further past Kilmartin and the roofless renaissance ruin of Carnasserie Castle. At the Eurach Standing Stones we turn onto a minor road and soon reach Loch Awe via some lovely off-road trail. We follow the road along the southern shore of Loch Awe for a short while before riding up into Eredine Forest and tackling the main climb of the day. Following along the Abhainn a Bhealaich river and several others we enjoy around 20 miles of off-road riding on a mix of gravel and forest track returning to Loch Fyne.

A scenic finish along the shore of Loch Fyne takes us into Inveraray, a traditional county town of Argyll. The town showcases Scottish Georgian architecture and has some great attractions including the jail and courthouse turned museum as well as the neo-gothic Inveraray Castle, which remains the family home of the Dukes of Argyll. Inveraray is a great setting for dinner tonight and good night’s rest before our final ride!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1150 Metres Approx.

Our final riding day begins with a short climb up past Inveraray Castle and across River Aray with a short off-road section before re-joining the old military road at the attractive Garron Bridge. We stay on the road for the remainder of the north shore of Loch Fyne, passing Dunderave Castle and taking in tremendous views across the water. After rounding the loch and passing through Cairndow, we join a trail that takes us up past The Tinkers Heart, an important site to Scottish Travellers. We then continue climbing on the road and down through Hell’s Glen before our final cheeky climb of the tour! We follow a lovely track just above the road following Gleann Mor in the shadow of Ben Donich, almost as far as the Rest and Be Thankful pass. A detour to the top offers fantastic views across the old valley road engineered by General Wade.

Continuing on a gravel track away from the busy road, we follow Glen Croe back to Ardgartan and rejoin the road. Passing Arrochar we pick up the Three Lochs Way and main road briefly into Tarbet for some photo opportunities from the banks of Loch Lomond. The West Loch Lomond Cycle Path offers a relaxed finish to the tour, with views of Ben Lomond, Conic Hill and passing the charming village of Luss. From Arden we follow the A818 for a few miles back to Helensbrugh for a celebratory dinner together.

• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, saying goodbyes and making tentative plans with your new pals for the next Skedaddle adventure, your guide team will assist those departing Helensburgh by train and then transfer those of you returning to Glasgow Airport. The short journey will depart at approximately 9:30.

For those with time to spare, there are many more attractions nearby and within easy reach via train, car or bike! The nearby village of Balloch at the base of Loch Lomond is the starting point of Skedaddle’s popular Lochs & Glens leisure cycling holidays and is home to many cafes and restaurants along with popular walking trails with more views up the loch.