Killin to Strathblane

After yesterday’s log there was a useful chat about cycling and wild camping in the Glasgow area with two tourers who rarely stayed at campsites. Close to where they were sitting outside the Dochart Falls Inn was a water tap which is likely to be useful in future tours. Wild campers not using the inn can use a public toilet just over the bridge to the left of the road.

A vivid memory from the road to Killin is the imposing summit of Ben Lawers to the right, sometimes hidden in low cloud, and the blue Loch Tay to the left. On my route Ben Lawers is seen from various directions and must have a great view from the summit in good weather.

A 6:30 am start from Killin by road to the wonderful path down Glenogle was fine for light traffic and views were fine in the bright coolish conditions. Route 7 to Kilmahog was very variable with both excellent tarmac surfaces and uncomfortable rough gravel.

The advice when touring with camping gear and not on a mountain bike is to take the road not the track from Kilmahog to Brig o’ Turk (unless you want to practise your swearing). The route is scenic with some lovely spots but the steep slopes with slippery coarse gravel can make it challenging even to push a laden bike up them.

The (green) Brig o’ Turk Tearoom, with a wide choice of drinks including excellent coffee and tasty healthy food, is not to be missed. Tasty coffee was also to be found at Aberfoyle Bike Hire & Coffee, together with knowledgeable route advice.

The route from Aberfoyle to Strathblane via Gartmore, Drymen, Gartness, Killearn and Dumgoyne had generally acceptable surfaces and good views but was not flat. Many walkers with backpacks were seen.

The West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite now offers what they call a wild camping area with a mown field rather than a lawn to pitch on. It is higher, a little closer to the mountains and feels better.

Today’s stats were a distance of 51 miles with 4000 feet of ascent and 1400 active calories.