Cycling in and around Dunblane

bike postbox

Dunblane provides excellent access to a great variety of cycling for everyone. You can cycle here, or book your bike on the train. Buses also take folding bikes.

Local Cycling Maps and National Cycle Routes

Our Dunblane Area Green Travel Maps show the best ways to get around Dunblane and the local area, to the major attractions avoiding busy roads. Free from library, museum and downloadable here.

Stirling and Forth Valley and Trossachs cycle map – buy from Stirling Active Travel HUB, or Harvey Maps, Doune, who also have Strathearn, East Perthshire and Highland Perthshire cycling maps.

National Route 765 is signposted through Dunblane between Stirling and Doune, towards NCN 7 Lochs and Glens, and links to Round the Forth NCN 76 and NCN 764 to Fife, or over the Forth to the Forth Clyde canal NCN 754 between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

E-bike rides in the Trossachs - leaflets available from local outlets or you can download here.

Aberfoyle Area off road/gravel routes - tear off map at Aberfoyle bike shop and local outlets. Can also be viewed here.

Visit Scotland/Sustrans long distance Cycle Routes and Day Rides. See details on their website here.

Lochs and Glens Way includes a Day Ride to Dunblane which can be downloaded here.

Cycle Loops you can download from ridewithgps - family pootles to wilder adventures!

• Local short loops (1 – 3)
• Dunblane to local heritage attractions (4,5)
• Dunblane in Ochils, and north to Perthshire and the Highlands (6 - 10)
• Dunblane west to the Trossachs and Loch Lomond (11 – 16)
• Dunblane east to Clackmannanshire and the Kelpies (17 - 19)
• MTB (20 – 23)

1. Dunblane to Doune castle - 10 miles
Scenic off road cycle paths and quiet roads.
Attractions: Andy Murray post box, Dunblane cathedral, Museum, Leighton library, Doune castle, Doune mx track, Murdochs ford.
Nearby: David Stirling monument, Argaty kites and Deanston distillery.
Refreshments: Dunblane, Doune, Deanston distillery
Deanston and Argaty Kites extensions

2. Dunblane to Kinbuck and Ashfield – 8 miles
Quiet roads by Allan Water.
Attractions: Ashfield victorian model village, Ramoyle old weaving cottages
Refreshments: Cromlix hotel, Dunblane

3. Dunblane to Doune via Bridge of Allan – 17 miles (or 13)
Scenic cycle paths and quiet roads
Attractions: Kippenrait Glen, Bridge of Allan, the Carse, Doune castle, Dunblane
Refreshments: Bridge of Allan, Doune, Dunblane
Shorter option: Reverse the route and get the train back from Bridge of Allan (13 miles)

4. Dunblane to Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument - 16 or 10 miles
A lovely cycle through woods, by fields and rivers and into old Stirling city via the university campus, and the spectacular Wallace monument. Option of return by train from Stirling - so just 10 miles.

5. Dunblane through our local Heritage – 27 miles
Enjoy the ride, and take your pick of local attractions enroute.
Attractions: Kippenrait Glen, Bridge of Allan Spa pump house, Stirling University, Wallace monument, Cambuskenneth Abbey, Harbour, Stirling Castle, Jail, Argylls Lodging, Church of the Holy Rude, Cemetery, Kings Knot/Back Walk, Smith Art Gallery, Stirling Old Bridge, Doune Castle, Murdochs Ford, Dunblane Cathedral, Museum, Leighton library, High St, Andy Murrays post box.

The Ochils and Perthshire

6. Dunblane to Drummond Castle Loop - 38 miles
A lovely figure of 8 ride through local hills and moors to a spectacular Scottish renaissance garden. Choose either a steep return across Sheriffmuir, or retrace back along Allan Water. Refreshments at Braco or Muthill.

7. Dunblane to Comrie and Crieff Loop – 45 miles
An extension to above route includes the attractive local towns and quirky Auchingarrich wildlife park and café.

8. Dunblane to old Grouse distillery and Innerpeffray – 42 miles
A rolling ride out to the oldest distillery in Scotland and back via the oldest library and charming chapel.
Refreshments: Braco, Crieff, Auchterarder

9. Dunblane to Perth Loop – 70 miles or 35 one way
2 lovely ways to get to Perth, and option to use the train one way.
Refreshments: Braco, Tibbermore, Dunning golf course, Auchterarder

10. Around the Ochils - 50 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29531342
A popular ride on quiet roads showcasing the wild Ochils. Starting through Kippenrait Glen to Stirling University campus, along the Hillfoots villages to Dollar, up Glen Devon and over Sheriffmuir back to Dunblane.
Refreshments: Dollar, Dunning golf course or Auchterarder.

To the Trossachs and Loch Lomond

11. Dunblane - Comrie - Loch Earn - Callander Loop - 61miles
A lovely day ride or weekend mini-adventure along scenic lochs and glens, on cycle path NCN 7, and quiet roads. Many refreshment choices in attractive villages.
For those taking their time there are plenty of attractions enroute: Braco Roman camp, Comrie Earthquake house, Bliss Art trail, Rob Roys grave Balquidder nearby, Deanston distillery, Doune castle.
Balquidder extension 

12. Dunblane to Venacher Loop – 40 miles
A lovely ride into the Trossachs with Byre Inn, Venachar cafe as particularly attractive stops. Options to shorten at Callander (25 miles) or go on past Loch Ard to lovely Loch Katrine. Cycle paths with some gravel, and mainly quiet roads.
Refreshments: Deanston distillery, Brig of Turk Byre Inn, Venacher café, Callander, Doune

13. Dunblane to Loch Katrine Loop – 74 miles
Quiet rolling roads take you deep into the Trossachs for the classic Loch Katrine/Chon/Dukes Pass circuit. Attractive stops at Byre Inn, Stronachlachar, Wee Blether, Venachar cafe,

14. Dunblane to Loch Katrine/Loch Lomond Loop - 103 miles
A spectacular couple or more days grand tour through the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park, along and across the iconic lochs on quiet roads and cycle paths. Great refreshment stops enroute: Callander, Brig of Turk, Stronachlacher, Inversnaid, Luss, Killearn, Fintry, Kippen and more. Best to book accommodation.

15. Dunblane to Carron Valley Loop – 41 miles
A scenic ride of contrasts, across the Carse by Flanders Moss, and over the hills to Fintry and the Carron Valley. Refreshments at Courtyard farm café near Fintry. Returning via Stirling and attractive Cambuskenneth, University and Kippenrait Glen.
From the Carron Valley there are 2 lovely options south to reach the Forth/Clyde Canal NCN 754, down the Crow Road and Campsie Glen, or from Carron Bridge the Tak me Doon Road to Kilsyth.

16. Dunblane to Glen Lyon loop – electric climbs - 123 miles, 8000 ft
Enjoy a few days exploring some wilder climbs. Up the glens into the Trossachs, on NCN7 up Glen Ogle, down to Killin, over to Glen Lyon, from Kenmore up over to Glen Quaich, down Sma'Glen and pretty country to Auchterarder and last climb over Sheriffmuir.
A good tour for climbers and electric bikes on very quiet roads, short section of gravel.
Attractions: Falls of Leny, Glen Ogle viaduct, Falls of Dochart, Fortingall Yew and Arts and Craft village, Kenmore Crannog, Buchanty Spout, Fowlis Wester Pictish Cross, Macrae memorial.
Possible stopovers: Killin and Kenmore. Lunch in Strathyre, Bridge of Balgie, Fortingall, picnic, Auchterarder.

Clackmannanshire and Half Round the Forth

17. Dunblane to the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel - 46/28 miles
A lovely ride through Kippenrait Glen and Stirling uni campus to join Round the Forth cycle route 76 over Clackmannanshire bridge to the iconic Kelpies, along the canal to fascinating Falkirk Wheel, then back via Stirling. Option of returning by train from Larbert – 28 miles.
Refreshments: Blairlogie, Cambus, Kincardine, Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel, Torwood garden centre, Peak.

18. Dunblane to Culross and Dollar Loop – 48 miles
Exploring Clackmannanshire to the seashore and Royal Culross, and back via Dollar (Castle Campbell, Japanese Garden) and along the Ochil hills villages.
Refreshments: Coffee Bothy, Cambus, Culross, Forest Mill, Dollar, Tilly tearoom.

19. Dunblane to Birds - Cambus/Black Devon/Gartmorn – 32 miles
The wetlands around the Forth give opportunities to see birds and occasional seals.
Refreshments: Cambus, Gartmorn, Tilly Tearoom,The Forge, Coffee Bothy.
Argaty Kites from route 1.

Mountain biking and Gravel Riding


20. Local Loops - Stirling HUB website 

21. Dunblane over Ochils to Menstrie/Blairlogie – 19 miles
Two straightforward, yet remote feeling tracks, get you over the Ochils, and offer many local variations. The hidden Forge cafe, Menstrie or Coffee Bothy, Blairlogie are good stops.

22. Dunblane to Glen Artney/Callander Loop - 42 miles
A lovely remote feeling ride across the Highland/Lowland drove road linking Callander, from Bracklinn falls, with Comrie - you need an MTB for 6 miles, but the rest is quiet roads.
Refreshments: Braco, Auchingarrich/Comrie, Callander, Antique Centre, Doune

23. MTB trail areas
- Carron Valley - check tree felling notices
- Comrie Croft which also does bike hire.
- Aberfoyle gravel trails and Dukes Weekender event in September.  Bike hire from Aberfoyle bike shop.

Other routes and planning

24. More routes on Wikiloc – DunblaneCycle
- SSRG
- Ride with GPS
Other routes and planning - Mapmyride, Strava Heat Map, Cyclestreets 

25. Cycling Championships local legacy ride idea 26 miles – Wallace, Jacobites and SAS 

Cycle Hire

Limited locally:
- FEL HUB provide free loans of electric bikes (3 days to 3 months) and parent equipment library. Pre-booking essential, enquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- E-bike library Recyke-a-bike 
- E-bike loan scheme for Dunblane residents

Cycle Hire in the Wider area

Aberfoyle Bike Hire  01877 382023 closed Tuesday.
Comrie Croft  01764 670140
Wheels near Callander  01877 331100 March – October.
Loch Katrine - Katrine wheelz  01877 376366 April – October 
Killin Outdoor Centre  April - October 01567 820652,
Gleneagles Hotel - hire road and MTB bikes for residents

Bike Shops and repairs

Stirling Cycles, Causewayhead  01786 451559 Sell and repair road, MTB, electric bikes
Recyke-a-bike in Causewayhead  01786 447559 Sell recycled bikes, repairs, e-bike library including parents equipment and e-cargo bikes
Velocity44, Stirling  01786 465292 Sell and service range and electric bikes.
Wheels near Callander  01877 331100 Sell, repair and hire range of cycles, electric and adapted bikes.
Comrie Croft  01764 670140 Sell, repair and hire bikes, café, events and accommodation
Synergy 171 Main St Auchterarder 01764 664251 Sell and repair road, and electric bikes.
Aberfoyle  01877 382023 Hire, repair, equipment
Roots Cycles, Doune  01786 842080 Repairs
The Bike Works repairs Stirling, 07480 667994

Cycle Training

Bikeability courses are available for older primary school pupils in some primary schools, usually in summer term – some in the playground, some on local roads. Usually require trained/supported volunteers/parents. Contact individual schools.

FEL Hub and Recyke-a-bike 01786 447559 can advise on any current courses, buddy rides and Dr Bike sessions.

Stirling Cycle Training offers private tuition and a range of courses for children, adults and drivers  07966 201519

Other resources

Stirling Active Travel HUB station – open Tuesday to Saturday 01786 474160
Provides Maps and route planning, electric bikes to try, maintenance sessions, and local led rides

Stirling City Walking and Cycling Map – available at Stirling Active Travel HUB and Recyke-a-bike

Stirling Bike Club aims to be inclusive and provides regular road rides, mtb rides, races/events and has a junior section.

 

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