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indicates every 2 milesGourock to Rosneath and Sandbank Loop Cycle Route
Scotland > Argyll and Bute > Greenock
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GPX| Cycle Route Details | |
| Route Name | Gourock to Rosneath and Sandbank Loop |
| Distance : miles (km) | 61.65 (99.22) |
| Duration(hh:mm) | 06:06 |
| Difficulty |  |
| Posted By | Heeder |
| Calories Burned | kcal |
| (login and provide your weight for more accurate calories burned) | |
| Cycle Route Location | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Town/City | Greenock |
| County/Region | Argyll and Bute |
| Start Location | Gourock Ferry Terminal |
| End Location | Gourock Ferry Terminal |
| Cycle Steps | |
| Route Start at the ferry terminal in Gourock - right next to the rail terminus. Take the Kilcreggan ferry (Scotrail website for timetable, pay on the ferry). Main road Kilcreggan turn right on the B833 and follow the road up the side of Gareloch. Garelochead turn left staying on the B833 to the roundabout where you join the A814 (Straight on) following the road all the way up the side of Loch Long to Arrochar. At junction with the A83 turn left go round the head of the Loch and down the other side to Ardgarten, there is a footpath all along the roadside as far as Ardgarten. 1km after leaving the Lochside turn into the Argyll Forest Park Visitor Centre. Over the bridge turn right then bear left through the gate onto the forest road leading up hill. Follow the forest road all the way up the south side of Glen Croe. At 1st junction keep right at the 2nd keep left and you'll end up above the Rest and be Thankful summit. Through the gate at the head of the valley and bear right making your way down onto the B828, turn left and follow the road down towards Lochgoilhead. Before reaching Lochgoilhead turn right on the B839 and head up Hells Glen, follow the road over the summit and back down towards Loch Fyne. Turn left onto the A815 to Strachur. Through Strachur past the garage take the right turn up toward the primary School (turn off about 400m after the garage), follow the road 3km back to the A815 at Glenbranter. Turn right and follow the road all the way down the side of Lock Eck to Sandbank where you turn left and follow the shore road to the Hunters Quay ferry. Once on the south side of the Clyde turn left and follow the shore back to the main ferry terminal/rail terminus in Gourock. Information Be warned, there a couple of substantial climbs on the route! The forest road on the south side of Glen Croe is very steep in places but the views of Ben Arthur and the valley make it worthwhile. An easier option is to stick to the main A83 up Glen Croe which is long (and busy) but never very steep. The forest road in Glen Croe is well maintained with a hard packed sometimes muddy surface and can be negotiated on most types of bike, MTB, hybrid, cyclo-cross as long as your tyres have a decent tread (don't try it on slicks). Traffic is light on all the main roads except the A83 which can be frighteningly busy at times. The run up the Rosneath peninsular and along the east side of Loch long are relatively flat except for 1 climb above Garelochhead and fairly sheltered in the trees. Glen Croe views can be spectacular - look out for the view points along the forest road. The decents down towards Lochgoilhead and the A815 are very challenging and you'll see beautiful scenery on the climb up Hells Glen and the route along the side of loch Eck. |
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| Landmarks/Pubs for lunch/Sites to see? | |
| Nearest bike shop to Start/End is Aerobikes in West Blackhall St Greenock where there is also a Halfords. No bike shops on the route. Only escape route is Arrochar/Tarbet station where you can get a train back to Glasgow. Various places to eat/drink include cafes/pubs in Arrochar. The forest visitor centre has a coffee etc, cafe/pub in Strachur, garage in Strachur and tons of pubs/cafes etc in Sandbank/Dunoon. There is a bar (name escapes me) with a beer garden overlooking the Hunters ferry terminal for a well earned drink, also serves bar meals. numerous pubs/cafes/bakers/takeaways etc in Gourock. |
| Near By Cycle Shops | |
| Phillips Cycles |
| Your comments? | ||
| posted by:Frank | Rating :  | difficult : |
| Thanks for posting the route! I done it last week. Great scenery and a lot of hills. The forest road at Glen Croe was steep and long, but great views. | ||
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