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Come and experience some of the finest gravel riding the UK has to offer in stunning Argyll, Scotland’s Adventure Coast. Each day you’ll ride along picturesque lochs, cross rugged peninsulas, pedal through serene spruce forests and past ancient castles with each viewpoint beating the last. The joy of gravel riding in Argyll lies in being able to get into nature and experience the natural wonders with few visitors around, and with a steady variety of fun riding surfaces to keep things interesting on the bike.
Your riding starts in Arrochar, a village near the head of Loch Long on the Cowal peninsula. Situated within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in the shadow of the Arrochar Alps and “The Cobbler,” it makes for a picturesque start. We quickly get off-road and take on a few cheeky climbs, following forest tracks and textbook gravel riding as well as some adventurous trails that unlock yet more great gravel riding.
We continue down the shores of Loch Goil and wind past Holy Loch to Dunoon, the main coastal town of the Cowal peninsula and our base for two nights. The first day out from Dunoon takes in coast and forest on a lovely loop ride with sections along Loch Striven and Glen Fyne with many chances to look out across the Firth of Clyde. Leaving Dunoon, we ride north along the beautiful shores of Loch Eck, via Glenbranter Forest and pedal our way up and down the remote, free-flowing gravel trails of Glendaruel to stop at Portavadie.
A morning ferry crosses Loch Fyne to Tarbert where we first pick up the Caledonia Way before crossing the Knapdale peninsula to enjoy tremendous views over the Sound of Jura. Before long we pass Castle Sween, the oldest stone castle in Scotland, and follow Loch Sween toward Lochgilphead via the Crinan Canal.
Our final riding day takes in cairns, castles and more history as well as the natural beauty we’ve come to expect. After a stretch along Loch Awe, we finish our ride tracing the shore of Loch Fyne to the formal royal burgh of Inveraray and its gothic revival castle. After a celebratory dram we transfer back to Arrochar for our final night together.
This holiday is perfect for experienced gravel riders and cyclists who have previously enjoyed Skedaddle road cycling or mountain bike holidays and are looking for a new challenge. A good level of fitness and prior experience of riding off-road are essential.
The remoteness, forested trails and occasional exposed landscapes are what make this such a fabulous place to ride. However, this also means that route changes can occur due to trail closures and diversions. To ensure you can fully enjoy the experience, you should be confident and comfortable with the distances and elevation described in the itinerary, as diversions can add to the challenge. This holiday is therefore not suitable for beginners.
