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Loch Glashan and Kilmory

An interesting off-road bike route with good views of the loch. Can be approached from a minor road to the west or the A83.

This route is all on forest roads which are mostly well compacted and fairly smooth, there is always a climb to enter the forest, but after that the gradients are reasonably gentle. It is signed by the Forestry Commission.

The route consists of a circuit round Loch Glashan with an approach from the west from Kilmichael Glen, this is fairly gentle. There are two steeper approaches from the A83 further east (not signed).

Other Local Information
Near the route the Horseshoe Inn at Bridgend provides bar food, rather more up-market is the Cairnbaan Hotel two miles further south near the B841/A816 junction. This has a view of the Crinan Canal. Lochgilphead is the nearest town with a tourist office, choice of B&Bs, hotels, shops etc.

There are more very scenic off-road bike routes just just south of Crinan. You can link the Crinan and Loch Glashan routes by cycling along the Crinan Canal towpath though a short section of a mile on the A816 is unavoidable (see map).

Take the minor road off the A816, three miles north of Lochgilphead, signed Kilmichael Glassary. Continue along this for two miles, crossing the River Add twice, then turn right towards the forest by an old sawmill, signed Barrachuile.
This starts off fairly flat, it passes various houses and caravans, then climbs into the forest, the River Add tumbling by on the right.
Near the top of the hill you go under a big water pipe. Soon after turn right at a T junction. This leads across the river, passing a conservation area with several ponds. After this the marker posts change colour and you are on the Loch Glashan circuit.
Obviously this can be done in either direction, though the views are perhaps better if it is done anti-clockwise.
On the east side the route runs close to the loch shore, it dips down below the dam and there is a bit of a climb to regain the shore level. To the west there is a steady climb away from the shore to reach the route's highest point at 160 metres. This offer quite good views.

Eastern Approaches: these are not signed. They begin with a steep climb from the A83 by Loch Fyne.
The Ardcastle approach is two miles north of Lochgair. You can park in Ardcastle Wood which is on the east side of the main road. Entry to the bike route is 300 metres further north on the other side of the road. There is a steep climb initially then it levels off, meeting the red circuit at the Loch Glashan dam. There is a hotel in Lochgair which can provide bar meals, teas etc.
The Birdfield approach is at the top of a hill by a white bungalow. Electricity pylons which are clearly visible cross the road at that point. The climb is longer and steeper than the Birdfield one but there is a fast descent after this to the junction at the north end of Loch Glashan.

Other Possibilities
You should be aware that there is a rifle range two miles south west of Loch Glashan (see map) so exploring in that immediate area is best avoided. To bypass this you could cycle from Kilmory to Carrick, or from Achnabreck. The Achnabreck approach is from just north of the B841/A816 junction. There is a sign for bronze age cup and ring markings (# on map).

The Kilmory section begins behind Kilmory Castle (council offices); signed Kilmory from the A83 . Go towards the castle, before the main door turn right and follow a flagstone footpath round the right hand side of the castle. The route begins behind the staff car park.

This route is not circular so you will have to return the way you came or cycle on the A83. There are views over Loch Fyne and the mountains of Arran can be seen in the far distance.

Features:

• B&Bs / Hotels Nearby
• Circular Route
• Half Day Ride
• Route By Loch
• Route To Link Up With Others

Additional Features:

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