Gravel Endurance

Welcome to the first installment of GravelEndurance’s UK Komoot Route Series, where we uncover the best gravel and mixed‑terrain rides across the country. Scotland’s guide features six hand-picked Komoot routes, classified for all abilities: 2 Easy, 2 Moderate, and 2 Hard. From serene lochside spins to rugged forest climbs and full-day Highland adventures, these rides showcase the diversity of Scottish terrain while providing practical route information, distances, and access tips. Stay tuned for future regional guides: North West England, North East England, East Anglia & the Midlands, South West England, and Wales.

About Komoot.

Komoot is a GPS-based route planning and navigation platform. You can discover, preview, save and download GPX files for offline navigation — ideal when exploring rural Scotland with limited mobile signal. Routes below link to Komoot so riders can save or export them directly.

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EASY RIDES — Intro Loops & Scenery

1) Acharn Loop – Killin Meander 2

Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/tour/1855932309
Distance: ~8 km | Elevation: ~130 m | Estimated Time: ~50 min
Difficulty: Easy

This short, easy route near Killin threads gently through riverside trails and quiet lanes — a perfect warm-up ride or recovery spin with scenic views of Loch Tay.

Access & Logistics:

• Parking: Killin village centre car parks
• Train: Stirling or Gleneagles + cycle
• Amenities: Cafés, pubs, shops

2) Balmaha via Garadhan – Drymen Meander 2

Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/e1855853351/balmaha-via-garadhan-drymen-meander-2
Distance: ~9.4 km | Elevation: ~180 m | Estimated Time: ~45 min
Difficulty: Easy

Gentle lochside and forest tracks near Balmaha, Loch Lomond & Trossachs — perfect for short rides with outstanding views.

Access & Logistics:

• Parking: Balmaha village & visitor parking
• Train: Balloch station → cycle to start
• Amenities: Café and basic facilities

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MODERATE ROUTES — Half-Day Classics

3) Loch an Eilein – Loch Morlich Beach Loop (Highlands)

Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/23475982
Distance: ~33–35 km | Elevation: ~240 m | Estimated Time: ~2–3 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate

Scenic Highland loop around Loch an Eilein and Loch Morlich near Aviemore, using forest tracks and quiet gravel roads. A balanced, half-day ride with loch views and moderate climbing.

Access & Logistics:

• Train: Aviemore station → short cycle to start
• Car: Forest car parks near Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre or Loch Morlich
• Amenities: Cafés, pubs, shops in Aviemore

4) Ryvoan Bothy – Ryvoan Bothy Loop from Nethy Bridge (Highlands)

Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/23476128
Distance: ~37 km | Elevation: ~350 m | Estimated Time: ~3 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate

Highland loop from Nethy Bridge to Ryvoan Bothy, featuring forest tracks, estate roads and gentle climbing. Excellent for intermediate riders seeking classic Cairngorms scenery.

Access & Logistics:

• Train: Aviemore station (~20–25 min cycle to start)
• Car: Laybys near Nethy Bridge
• Amenities: Café, pub, shop in Nethy Bridge

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HARD EPICS — Big Days & Remote Terrain

5) Ardgarten Loop (Loch Goil area)

Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/tour/522526917
Distance: ~37 km | Elevation: Moderate–High | Estimated Time: ~4 hrs
Difficulty: Hard

Forestry gravel and remote roads near Loch Goil, ideal for experienced riders seeking a real Scottish adventure.

Access & Logistics:

• Parking: Loch Goilhead area
• Train: Best by car (remote area)
• Amenities: Minimal — bring provisions

6) The Duke’s Path & Argyll Forest Park Loop

Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/e987226320/the-dukes-path-and-argyll-forest-park-loop
Distance: ~44.1 km (~27.4 mi)
Elevation Gain: ~1,030 m (~3,375 ft)
Estimated Time: ~4 h 30 min based on Komoot’s speed and terrain
Difficulty: Hard

This classic West Scotland route begins near Arrochar / Tarbet, climbs through forest tracks and ridge routes like The Duke’s Path, and then explores sections of Argyll Forest Park with remote views and varied surfaces. It’s one of the stronger Hard-level gravel rides on Komoot in the region.

Why ride it:

• A true full-day gravel challenge with significant climbing
• Excellent mix of unpaved tracks, forest roads and natural trails
• Superb Highland scenery through Arrochar Alps and Cowal forest areas

Access & Logistics:

Amenities: Basic services in Arrochar / Tarbet (cafés, pubs) before you head into more remote forest riding.

Parking: Start close to designated forest car parks or laybys near Arrochar / Tarbet — a useful base for West Scotland gravel routes.

Train: The West Highland Line serves Arrochar & Tarbet station (rail access from Glasgow), a great rail-to-ride option before a bike approach to the start.

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🌍 Travel & Logistics

Train Access:

• Stirling — hub for Trossachs rides
• Aviemore — for Loch an Eilein and Ryvoan Bothy
• Gleneagles — for Killin / Breadalbane

Car Parking:

• Forest visitors’ car parks at Aberfoyle
• Balmaha for Loch Lomond
• Nethy Bridge and Rothiemurchus for Highland rides

Local Amenities:

• Aberfoyle, Callander, Aviemore, Nethy Bridge — cafés, pubs, shops, accommodation
• Galloway and Loch Goil rides are remote — plan food/water

Ride Planning Tips:

• Download routes offline via Komoot
• Tyres: 35–45 mm recommended
• Prepare for changing Scottish weather

Continue the Series

Ready for more UK gravel adventures? Stay tuned for our next guide covering North West England, where we explore six hand-picked Komoot routes across the Lake District, Forest of Bowland, and western Pennines. Follow the series to discover Easy, Moderate, and Hard rides across every region of the UK.

Essential Guidebooks for Riding Scotland

If these six Komoot routes have got you scheming your next overnighter or stringing together bigger Scottish adventures, it’s worth having a proper guidebook or two on hand. The books below are written by riders who’ve spent serious time exploring Scotland’s backroads, forest tracks and high passes. They’re ideal for discovering new areas, understanding what the terrain really rides like, and building longer trips beyond a single GPX line on a screen.

Bikepacking Scotland – Markus Stitz (Adventure Books)

This is a must-own for anyone dreaming of extended off-road touring in Scotland. Written by Markus Stitz — founder of Bikepacking Scotland — it features 20 multi-day cycling adventures that thread together wild landscapes from the Borders up through the Highlands and islands. Each route is packed with practical info on points of interest, food and accommodation stops, plus stunning photography and downloadable GPX files to help you plan your own big week in the saddle.

Gravel Rides Scotland – Ed Shoote (Adventure Books)

Looking for turnkey gravel adventures? This beautifully presented book showcases 28 of Scotland’s best gravel bike rides — from the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway to Highland Perthshire, the Cairngorms and beyond. Each route includes terrain info, refreshment recommendations, clear directions and overview maps, plus downloadable GPX files so you can explore those hidden tracks and big landscapes with confidence.

Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire – Markus Stitz (Adventure Books)

One of Scotland’s most compelling gravel destinations gets its own dedicated guidebook. From fast former railway lines like the Deeside and Dava Ways to remote glens and the iconic Burma Road, this book distills 15 of the best rides across the Cairngorms National Park and Perthshire. With detailed OS maps, route descriptions, difficulty ratings, local insights and GPX files included, it’s ideal for day trips or assembling your own mini-bikepacking circuit in the Highlands.

Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs – Markus Stitz (Adventure Books)

For those drawn to Scotland’s dramatic lochs, forests and coastal rides, this book delivers 15 gravel adventures centred on Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and into Argyll. From short blasts through Gravelfoyle country to longer tests of throttle over mixed terrain — including sections of the West Highland Way and John Muir Way — each route comes with maps, tips, GPX files and refreshment stops to make your journey smooth and scenic.