Callander - Brig O Turk - Callander Gravel Loop route

The Invertrossachs Car Park, the launching point for the ride, involves passing through Callander - a gateway to the Highlands town. This bustling high-street has everything you require to prepare for the ride, including some fantastic breakfast spots. I recommend Apple Jacks or Mhor Bread.

Route

Having parked in the capacious car park, it's straight into a dirt climb into the forest. Views along the way will keep you suitably distracted. Maintain your wits about you and enjoy the sharp descent back to the lochside.

At this point your ride converges with the fantastic Three Lochs Drive, a really incredibly well maintained area of the Trossachs. There are multiple controlled camping spots throughout the park, including some fantastic lochside sites. This controlled area also means that there are amenities such as toilets along the route. The surface is hard-packed gravel with some pine needle strewn single track, but nothing technical. Beware that vehicles do on occasion and within season travel on the wide gravel paths.

Exiting the park briefly you will be on the renowned local climb of the Dukes Pass. Having covered most of the elevation in the park, you'll be able to enjoy a paved descent before returning to the park across to Brig O' Turk. Passing the beautiful idyllic beautiful Byre Inn, you’ll be hard pushed to pass by without a cheeky half.

It certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to fortify by climbing up the side of the Glen Finglas reservoir; take a breather and enjoy the view across the dam. From here, you head back off-road on a pitchy gravel road that goes up and eventually turns you back toward Callander paralleling the A821.

With the road barely visible and the elevation maintained, you'll be able to enjoy incredible vistas for the duration of this section. However, should time or situation require it, there are a number of paths that will drop you back down to the road. Including one tantalisingly close to Vennacher Lochside Cafe.

Follow the loop to its completion and you will drop down over the Eas Gabhain (a feeder for the River Teith) onto the lochside paved road that links back to the car-park.