Stirling / Glencoe circular

[DaiB]

I may have a spare day in Scotland soon, based in Stirling. What do we think of the below as a circular one day route? Any recommendations and should it be done clockwise or anti-? Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!

[Red Devil]

It's mrginal, but my preference would be clockwise. However there is one bit missing.
The 'Scotsburgring' - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jvL7fJN2KTKQgvV29

[DaiB]

Ah, I did have that but adds a lot of time for a one day itinerary - is it worth it? Maybe I'll see how time goes!

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

DaiB said:

Ah, I did have that but adds a lot of time for a one day itinerary - is it worth it? Maybe I'll see how time goes!

It is TOTALLY worth it. You should also try to lever in the Duke's Pass at Aberfoyle

[DaiB]

Noted, and added, thank you!

[dxg]

On the A-B leg, avoid the A82 as much as possible.

Cut across the "Haul Road" and enjoy its sweeping bends and smooth gradients - all so that we can get the nukes up to the subs.

Then head up/down the north end of Loch Long (it's a bit of a tight road, but still better than the A82 (and its (ironically) tourists) and join/leave your route at Arrochar.

[giveitfish]

I have limited experience in this area but from when I visited I thought the run from Lochgilphead to Oban (“C”) was excellent.

The run down beside Loch Fyne could be great but sadly likely to be ruined due to slow traffic you can’t get past.

Don’t tempted by the single-track option to bypass Oban, it was rubbish!

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

dxg said:

On the A-B leg, avoid the A82 as much as possible.

Cut across the "Haul Road" and enjoy its sweeping bends and smooth gradients - all so that we can get the nukes up to the subs.

Then head up/down the north end of Loch Long (it's a bit of a tight road, but still better than the A82 (and its (ironically) tourists) and join/leave your route at Arrochar.

That is also a good call.

[DaiB]

dxg said:

On the A-B leg, avoid the A82 as much as possible.

Cut across the "Haul Road" and enjoy its sweeping bends and smooth gradients - all so that we can get the nukes up to the subs.

Then head up/down the north end of Loch Long (it's a bit of a tight road, but still better than the A82 (and its (ironically) tourists) and join/leave your route at Arrochar.

Thank you, so not too much lost from missing out the A82 along Loch Lomond? The Loch Long stretch does look a good alternative!

[POIDH]

On E-F, take a diversion down Loch Earn to Comrie and enjoy the mountain road back over to Braco. Thank me later.

[DaiB]

POIDH said:

On E-F, take a diversion down Loch Earn to Comrie and enjoy the mountain road back over to Braco. Thank me later.

Ooh, ok. That does look great - its either this or the previously mentioned Duke's pass though. Which is best?

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

DaiB said:

Ooh, ok. That does look great - its either this or the previously mentioned Duke's pass though. Which is best?

Depends on day, time and weather. If a nice weekend Duke's Pass will have a lot of cyclists, and the Braco road is a very, very good one too

[sjabrown]

Red Devil said:

It's mrginal, but my preference would be clockwise. However there is one bit missing.
The 'Scotsburgring' - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jvL7fJN2KTKQgvV29

B863 isn't in great shape at the moment - north side in particular has a few rough patches which detracts from the flow. Also lots of tree trimming = 15min delays.

[POIDH]

Marquezs Stabilisers said:

Depends on day, time and weather. If a nice weekend Duke's Pass will have a lot of cyclists, and the Braco road is a very, very good one too

^ that.

Dukes pass, midweek, winter is great. Anything else you are sharing with much slower and more vulnerable road users.

Braco mountain road, unless a sunny Saturday, is usually pretty clear.

[Drive Blind]

To do that route and to bypass the Kinlochleven loop and the A817 rollercoaster road is a big miss IMO

[Paul_77]

E to D has some great scenery. Heading into Glencoe is always an experience. It's not quite the same the other way. The roads on your route are generally busy but with not a huge amount of overtaking opportunities, however between Tyndrum and Glencoe it can be great fun.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

dxg said:

On the A-B leg, avoid the A82 as much as possible.

Cut across the "Haul Road" and enjoy its sweeping bends and smooth gradients - all so that we can get the nukes up to the subs.

Then head up/down the north end of Loch Long (it's a bit of a tight road, but still better than the A82 (and its (ironically) tourists) and join/leave your route at Arrochar.

The "Haul Road", take it you mean the superb A817?

[DaiB]

So I've got a revised route here which covers most the suggestions above. I'm going this week and will be doing the drive on Thursday so from what people have said Dukes pass should be ok, although weather looks a bit grotty. I'll make a call on weather to do that or Braco on the day

I'll probably end up having to cut out a couple of bits for time, but thanks for all the suggestions - great to have a few options!

Edited by DaiB on Monday 24th March 11:05

[dxg]

We await pictures...

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

Friday now, and we're waiting for pictures!