Routes2Ride
Garnock Valley Cycleway
Starting in Irvine, the route follows traffic-free and riverside paths and passes near Eglinton Country Park where you can walk, cycle, horse ride or even try angling. You’ll soon end up at Kilwinning, where the route crosses the Kilwinning Viaduct to join quiet, attractive minor roads. The route passes by the Blair Country Estate which you can explore on foot. At Kilbirnie, the route joins the Lochwinnoch Loop Line. Shorter trips can be made by using the regular train services.
Classification: Easy Distance: 18 miles
Edinburgh - Musselburgh
Starting at St Leonard’s Lane, National Route 1 signs lead you down an exciting tunnel, part of the former ‘Innocent Railway’. Follow the railway path and then cycle track alongside the Niddrie Burn. Cross a car park and use the bridge (steps) to go over the railway by Brunstane Station. The route then passes the Queen Margaret University campus to reach Musselburgh Station.
Classification: Easy Distance: 5 miles
Edinburgh - Cramond Brig
A mainly traffic-free cycle from the centre of Edinburgh, the route follows the tree-lined corridor of the old Granton Branch of the Caledonian Railway out to Davidson’s Mains, residential streets through Barnton, a cycle track over the golf course and then down quiet roads to Cramond Brig.
Classification: Easy Distance: 5 miles
Dundee - Arbroath
This route takes you along coastal paths and minor roads and from city and town to beaches, castles and golf links. From Dundee the route heads through the Dundee port area. You’ll see Broughty Castle jutting into the estuary and overlooking Broughty’s Blue Flag beach to the east. The route then closely follows the sea to Monifieth and then to Carnoustie where you will find a Championship Golf Course. The route finishes in Arbroath - famous for its ‘Smokies’.
Classification: Easy Distance: 21 miles
Cunninghame Cycleway
The route follows a disused railway line and a riverside path from Kilmarnock through Irvine towards Kilwinning. It then goes along minor roads to Stevenston, before rejoining a traffic-free path which follows the coast and gives sweeping views towards the Isle of Arran. At Ardrossan, you can take your bike on the ferry to the Isle of Arran, known as ‘Scotland in miniature’.
Classification: Easy Distance: 17 miles
Cullen - Garmouth
Enjoy the dramatic coastal scenery along this 14 mile section of National Route 1 between Cullen and Garmouth. The route is mainly traffic-free between Cullen and Buckie using the old coastal railway line. From Buckie the route follows roads before crossing the River Spey on the Speyside Viaduct into Garmouth. It is a short detour from the route to visit the Moray Firth Wildlife Centre.
Classification: Easy Distance: 14 miles
Clyde and Loch Lomond Cycleway
Running from the heart of Glasgow to the beauty of Loch Lomond, this almost entirely traffic-free route follows parts of the disused Partick to Yoker railway from Glasgow to Clydebank, the towpath of the Forth and Clyde Canal through to Bowling and again an old railway into Dumbarton. From Dumbarton, you follow the meandering River Leven up to Balloch and the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park where you will find a visitor centre, restaurants and shops. As the entire route runs close to the railway, you can hop on a train with your bike at almost any point.
Classification: Easy Distance: 20 miles
Callander - Killin
From Callander you head north, following the River Garbh Uisge upstream, through forests and past the Falls of Leny. After passing Strathyre, you follow the route to Balquhidder where you can visit Rob Roy’s grave.
Onwards towards Kingshouse and then through the spectacular Glen Ogle where your surroundings change to heather clad mountains. In Killin you will pass the Falls of Dochart where a well earned rest will let you take in the magnificent scenery.
Classification: Challenging Distance: 24 miles
Balerno - Bathgate
After following quiet roads from Balerno to East Calder, the highlight of this 14 mile route between Balerno and Bathgate is the Almondell and Calderwood Country Park where you can cycle right through the park between East Calder and Mid Calder and under the impressive railway viaduct. From Mid Calder and through Livingstone, where you can visit the Almond Valley Heritage Trust, you continue towards Bathgate on a mainly traffic-free route.
Classification: Easy Distance: 17 miles
Ayrshire Coast
This mainly coastal route passes beaches and seaside towns, through two Scottish Wildlife reserves, Gailes Marsh and Shewalton Wood, and finishes at the ruins of Greenan Castle. It offers the opportunity to experience the varied landscapes of this part of Scotland and has great views of the Isle of Arran. You can visit beaches or explore the town centres along the way. You can also do shorter rides by using the regular coastal train service.
Classification: Easy Distance: 19 miles
