Great for: Low-level, flat cycling and beautiful scenery
Benefits: Conveniently starts at a central car park. Forest routes combined with riverside cycling. Use as a one-way or ‘there and back’ route. Cycle as little or as much of the route as you please before turning back!
Length: Approx. 8 miles one way
Start at the Atholl Road Car Park in Pitlochry and turn left onto the main street in the town. On the outskirts of Pitlochry, take a left at the sign to the Faskally Boating Station. At the boating station cafe at the bottom of the hill take the track that brings you alongside Loch Faskally. When you come to a track turning right, away from the Loch, look for the signs to the caravan park. You may have to dismount here to navigate the small steps. Do not follow the track alongside the river at this point as there are steep banks and the ride will get very technical. Keep following the signs for the caravan park and this will take you to a tarmac road. Turn left here and continue until you meet another road where you will make another left and continue cycling along the footpath. Go straight across at the junction to Tummel Bridge. Look out for the left-hand turn onto a tarmac road and continue downhill on this tarmac until a right-hand turn upriver takes you to the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre. You will pass the ‘Soldier’s Leap’ on this path which is a breathtaking view well worth dismounting for! You may want to stay off your bike at this point to continue up the steps to the Visitor Centre.
Return to Pitlochry reversing the above route.
Written by Sally Judd, Blair Atholl Bike Hire www.blairathollbikehire.co.uk