Routes2Ride
Leuchars - Tayport
This ride begins in Leuchars. Follow National Cycle Network Route 1 on a quiet road out of the village to Tentsmuir Forest, which extends over the sand dunes between the estuaries of the Tay and the Eden. There is a picnic spot and access to the beach before the route heads to Tayport. Fife is criss-crossed with miles of cycle routes, many of them created as part of the Kingdom of Fife Millennium Cycleways.
Classification: Easy Distance: 8 ½ miles
West Fife Way Clackmannan - Dunfermline
The West Fife Way starts just to the north-east of Clackmannan and follows the course of the former Dunfermline to Alloa railway. Heading west on the cycleway, it’s an easy run to Dunfermline, with the option of diverting to the mountain bike tracks in Devilla Forest or onto minor roads to join National Route 76 along the coast of the Forth Estuary. Look out for the Kingdom of Fife Millennium Cycleway signs with the green diamond – these routes will take you down to the coast.
Classification: Suitable for families Distance: 11 miles
North Kessock - Culloden
You can break this route into two separate rides from the centre of Inverness. Heading north from Inverness, take the cycle and walkway across the Kessock Bridge. On the north side of the Beauly Firth, follow the traffic-free path alongside the road to the Tourist Information Centre and the Dolphin and Seal Centre where admission is free.
Heading east from Inverness, cycle towards Balloch and across Culloden Muir. The route takes you near the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre and further on you come across the late-Neolithic Clava Chambered Cairns.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 12 miles
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
