Our meet-up point will be in the village of Arrochar, at the head of Loch Long and set amongst some of the most beautiful scenery on the Cowal peninsula. Excellent road and rail links (nearby Arrochar and Tarbet station) make it a convenient location. Mid-afternoon our guides will stop by Glasgow Airport to collect anyone arriving by plane before reaching Arrochar and assisting those arriving by train.

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

Over the evening meal in Arrochar 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: 1,400 Metres Approx.

Today we start our journey heading off-road almost immediately. Leaving Arrochar, we climb and tackle some quiet forest roads and singletrack with a few cheeky climbs mixed in – textbook gravel riding for over 10 miles with fantastic views of the Cobbler and the Rest and Be Thankful pass. Four miles of descent brings out the widest smiles before joining a minor road for a short stretch into Lochgoilhead and a well-deserved coffee stop. After some quiet minor roads passing Carrick Castle, the route turns to gravel and at Ardnahein Farm we have a bit of adventure! We begin on some winding singletrack, then as the trail heads uphill it’s likely we’ll take to foot for the steeper sections which are the gateway to unlocking some fabulous riding in the days ahead.

Joining the forest haul road there’s plenty more great scenic riding as we follow the shoreline of Loch Goil south to our lunch spot at Shepherd’s Point. After lunch there are two more great off-road sections as we ride further south, around Holy Loch and eventually join the road heading into Dunoon, one of the Firth of Clyde’s main resorts. Built around the historic Castle Mound and large Victorian pier, our base for the next two nights has plenty to offer.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,300 Metres Approx.

No need to pack up this morning! An easy start around the coast road offers plenty to see and our guides will treat you to a ride that offers it all – excellent forest trails, lush shaded glens (Glen Fyne and Bishop’s Glen), a mix of excellent gravel riding terrain, and several coastal sections with views out over the Firth of Clyde and Loch Striven.

We’ll take in the Cowal peninsula’s southern extremity at the village of Toward and see its lighthouse, built by Robert Stevenson two hundred years ago. For those wanting a bit more time to explore Dunoon or to rest their legs, today’s loop ride offers the chance to cut the distance a bit short as it passes Dunoon mid-way through. No shame in taking the half-day option!

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,500 Metres Approx.

An absolutely brilliant day’s riding awaits with the vast majority off-road. We’ll take a different route out of Dunoon to avoid retracing our steps from yesterday. Today there are two longer climbs, one after our coffee stop and one after lunch, both steep in places but both providing some great off-road riding and terrific views.

After some forest tracks early on, we ride the full length of Loch Eck up its western shore beneath imposing hills to the west, including Beinn Mhòr, Cowal’s highest peak. After climbing through Glenbranter Forest, we head toward the Cowal Way and Glendaruel and a well-deserved lunch. Climbing again we’re soon off-road once more, before 10 miles of mostly descending, finishing up in Portavadie to watch the sunset over Loch Fyne.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,200 Metres Approx.

A morning ferry across Loch Fyne provides excellent views out toward the Sound of Bute and Firth of Clyde as well as of the charming port of Tarbert and its castle, where our daily adventure begins. From Tarbert we initially follow the Caledonian Way route out of town before going off-road to cross the Knapdale peninsula. As we descend on the western side of the peninsula we’re treated to tremendous views over the Sound of Jura and Loch Caolisport.

We continue on past Castle Sween, the oldest stone castle in Scotland, on the east bank of Loch Sween. Some gentle road riding north from here takes us up the shore to the head of Loch Sween, before crossing inland and heading off-road once more with a few brief climbs through the forest and past Lochan Buic before reaching Lochgilphead via the Crinan Canal. 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!).

Today’s ride features, in addition to an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife spotting, several burial cairns, castles, and standing stones as well as the 13th century chapel at Kilmory. At Lochgilphead we’ll enjoy a hearty meal and look forward to our final ride tomorrow.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 950 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 trails. 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 allows for some excellent photo opportunities at the end of our ride, and a celebratory drink before transferring back to Arrochar for a group meal on our final night together.

• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast your guide team will assist those departing Arrochar by train and then transfer those of you returning to Glasgow Airport.

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. Some may head north to Glencoe and Ben Nevis, others may tick the popular islands of Mull, Skye and the Outer Hebrides off their list. Whatever you choose, there are endless splendours to choose from for those sticking around to explore the west coast of Scotland.