4 minute read
Two Wheeled Touring
Take to two wheels and experience Scotland from a new perspective, and immerse yourself in our country’s amazing landscapes, history and culture.
Follow the signs
Whether you’re new to cycling, returning to the saddle or a seasoned cyclist, Scotland’s hostelling network provides the perfect starting points for discovering some of the country’s best leisure cycling routes.
Our friends at Sustrans and VisitScotland have been working together to make it easy for everyone to plan rewarding day rides and epic multi-day adventures along The Caledonia Way, The Lochs & Glens Way, The Union and Forth & Clyde Canal Towpaths and the Loch Ness 360 trail. With many spectacular routes only a short ride away from our hostels, we’ve picked out some of our favourites:
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INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGER There are 3 icons to denote INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGERthe time/length and difficulty of the routes: Edinburgh to Glasgow on the Union and Forth & Clyde Canal Towpaths …with overnight stays at our ▲Edinburgh Central and ▲Glasgow Youth Hostels
2.5 days, 62M/100km
Glasgow to Inverness via Loch Ossian Youth Hostel …with overnight stays at ▲Glasgow, EXPLORER INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGER EX ▲Pitlochry, ▲Loch Ossian and ▲Inverness Youth Hostels P L O RER CHALLENGERI X
EXPLORER EXPLORER 12 days, 215M/346kmINTERMEDIATEL
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Explorer: 2-12 days, 400km
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Challenger: INTERMEDIATE 2-5 days, 400km
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Intermediate: 2hrs-1 day, 50km
CHALLENGER CHALLENGER 1.5 days, 62M/100km CHALLENGER CHALLENGER
The Union and Forth & Clyde Canal towpaths connect the vibrant hearts of Scotland’s two largest cities, INTERMEDIATE providing a stunning, traffic-free cycle across the Central Belt. Escape the urban bustle for the tranquillity of the towpaths and Scottish countryside, and take in iconic attractions such as the remarkable Falkirk Wheel and Linlithgow Palace along the way.
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INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGER CHALLENGER 5 days, 215M/346km
Connecting Glasgow and Inverness, The Lochs and Glens Way is a spectacular INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE route through the very heart of Scotland. Taking in both of the country’s national parks and the majestic Highland landscapes around Loch Venachar, Loch Lubnaig and Loch Tay, the route provides a true snapshot of Scotland’s unique natural and social heritage.
EXPLORER Oban to Fort William on the INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGER EXPLORER Caledonia Way…with overnight INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGER stays at our ▲Oban, ▲Glencoe and ▲Glen Nevis Youth Hostels
EXPLORER EXPLORER EXPLORER EXPLORER 3 days, 59M/95.5km.
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INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGER CHALLENGER 1.5 days, 59M/95.5km
The Caledonia Way route is a ‘coast to coast’ cycling adventure through INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE spectacular Highland landscapes rich in culture and history. The majority of this section is on a traffic-free former railway path, offering superb cycling and spectacular views. Following the shoreline of Loch Linnhe, you can enjoy seascapes and dramatic glimpses of surrounding mountain peaks, including a unique view of mighty Ben Nevis- the UK’s highest mountain.
For those hoping to base EXPLORER themselves in one location and explore the local area on two CHALLENGER wheels, there are some fantastic INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGER day rides which start and finish close to our Hostels. Here are just INTERMEDIATE a few of our highlights:
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Inshriach and Glen Feshie
Loop …staying at ▲CHALLENGER Aviemore or ▲Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostels
INTERMEDIATE 2.5 hours, 20M/33km
Encounter historic ruins, ancient trees and some of Scotland’s finest wildlife on this short, scenic trip. A unique opportunity to explore the intriguing history and wildlife around Kingussie, this route gives riders the chance to encounter historic ruins, ancient Scots pine trees, red squirrels and maybe even the UK’s rarest bird; the Scottish crossbill. https://www.visitscotland.com/ see-do/active/cycling/nationalroutes/map/#/day-trips/a-circuitof-inshriach-forest-and-glen-feshieday-trip ▲Aviemore or ▲CHALLENGER Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostels 4 hours, 19M/31km EXP L O RER CHALLENGERI X INTERMEDIATE
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LExperience spectacular panoramic vistas across the Cairngorm INTERMEDIATE EXPLORER Mountains and Loch Morlich, which follows the picturesque CHALLENGER and traffic free ‘Old Logging Way‘ through the native Scots pine forest INTERMEDIATE from Aviemore. https://www.visitscotland.com/seedo/active/cycling/national-routes/ map/#/day-trips/an-lochan-euaineloch-morlich-day-trip
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Pitlochry to Tummel Loop
INTERMEDIATE 3-4 hours, 31M/49km
Explore the hidden watersides of Pitlochry, Loch Faskally, Loch Tummel and Glen Garry gorge on this longer day trip loop. Be sure to take time out from your ride to learn more about the legendary history of Killiecrankie and EXPLORER the famous ‘Soldier’s Leap.’INTERMEDIATE CHALLENGER https://www.visitscotland.com/seedo/active/cycling/national-routes/ map/#/day-trips/pitlochry-to-
EXPLORER tummel-loop-day-trip EXPLORER
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Logierait to Dunkeld …staying CHALLENGER
at our ▲Pitlochry Youth Hostel
INTERMEDIATE INTERMEDIATE 5-6 hours, 21M/33km
A scenic ride alongside the River Tay, this leafy loop route follows the banks of the river through the heart of Big Tree Country. Explore the many important historic sites within the pretty village of Dunkeld, whose recorded history dates back before the Iron Age. https://www.visitscotland.com/ see-do/active/cycling/nationalroutes/map/#/day-trips/logieraitto-dunkeld-loop-day-trip
