Central Scotland
Ride History & Routes
I love sharing my rides with others who wish to experience some of these amazing routes I have found around Scotland.
To that end, I have listed my best rides with pictures, a brief description, & difficulty.
A guide to what might be involved in an Easy/Medium/Hard grading can be found on our 'Disclaimer' page: https://www.gravelscotland.uk/gravel-riding-scotland/group-disclaimer
Some rides include a 'HALL OF FAME' badge & are highly recommended!
Gravelfoyle 1.0
(68km/1249m)
A gravel riders paradise.
A variety of gravel forest tracks, all loose over hard, and some connecting road areas make this suitable for most gravel bikes. And with so many tracks to choose from, creating your own route is effortless.
Medium
GPX File
Eskpletive, Dalkeith (48km/660m)
This was my first ever gravel ride of 2022, and wow, I was hooked after this, such an endless variety to experience.
Every riding surface I can think of applies here, along with countless changes of scenery hard to beat. A little tricky to navigate from your GPS device on your first run, so can be challenging.
A route I will be returning to time and again.
Medium
GPX File
Gifford, Garvald (44km/632m)
Definitely a ride of two halves, expect a little of everything.
The first half was filled with adventure, some stunning hidden paths you would never find without local help, quite sublime, if a little in the weeds at times.
Quiet country roads to finish, a bit of a local gem.
Easy
GPX File
John Muir Golf Coast
(53km/484m)
With a seamless blend of the Aberlady and Gifford gravel rides, you don't miss out on much of the beautiful coastline and countryside that East Lothian has to offer here.
Mostly off-road with sandy flat areas, field hopping, and narrow single track, even a cafe stop in North Berwick, it's a lovely adventure.
Easy
HOF
GPX File
Dalmeny to Blackness Coastal Run (50km/393m)
As a resident of Edinburgh, this is a ride I have taken countless times, quite delightful!
Mostly off-road & pathways, this route takes you along a lot of coastal areas, dipping into the Dalmeny Estate, woodlands, around Hopetoun House, then onto Blackness Castle.
I've kept this as a loop, but to avoid the 4km of the busy A904, you can just backtrack from the Castle in a P2P, the magic is in the first 25km of the ride.
Easy
GPX File
Loch Leven & The Lomond Hills (59km/675m)
This is a fabulous route in Fife with stunning views to take in along the way. Start/finish at Loch Leven on lovely gravel, the route takes you on a tour of the Lomond Hills with a mix of off-road and road. Some short singletracks and mildly technical sections, but nothing a gravel enthusiast would have trouble navigating.
Some parts of the route are popular with walkers, so a bell might be handy.
Medium
GPX File
Carron Valley Reservoir Loop (65km/1074m)
This is a grand tour of the Carron Valley area, and should not be underestimated just how stunning and varied this ride is, a real assortment of panoramic valley photography, technical descents, stream crossings, connecting routes across the heather undergrowth, and passing through perfect gravel woodland tracks, an epic ride.
The main descent is equally epic, and some of the most fun, challenging, and exciting gravel riding of the year.
Hard
GPX File
Blairadam Wood, Kelty (36km/491m)
My first gravel ride in Fife, and although a short loop, there was plenty here to make the journey worthwhile.
Great woodland gravel, lovely viewpoints, a ride around Loch Ore, countryside tracks, and short connecting roads. A route I would love to expand on.
Medium
GPX File
Dunkeld & Tay Forest
(52km/910m)
The Dunkeld and Tay Forest area is a magnet for gravel riders, and after this ride, I can see why.
The landscape is striking, and the gravel paths are excellent, (just not after heavy rain).
There are many hidden features along the way, beautiful moss-covered forestry area, large rock streams, and Loch Kennard was truly mesmerising.
More of a summer ride, but very memorable.
Medium
GPX File
Bannockburn to Carron Valley (42km/780m)
This gem comes in at my #1 Central Scotland’s favourite route, it’s a blinder.
I had ridden around the North Third Reservoir before, but I had never seen it from this vantage point, it took my breath away. Not only that, but the tracks along the Carron Valley reservoir gives anything Gravelfoyle has to offer a serious run for its money, it was divine.
Although it’s graded as easy, there are a few 10-15 metre technical descents early on that have to be walked for the beginners, they take just a few seconds, but it’s worth pointing out, otherwise, 50/50 road to smooth off-road gravel heaven.
Easy
HOF
GPX File
Gravelfoyle 2.0 Two Loop Classic (70.6km/1364m)
If you want to know why this ride features on my list, you have to go ride it, it’s a topographic wonderland.
The first loop is glorious gravel riding, smooth, easy climbing, and cinematic views.
The second loop is much steeper climbs and chunkier gravel, but the reward for this is heavenly.
Such charm awaits you for a more challenging ride.
Medium
GPX File
Loch Eck & Loch Long (57km/1228m)
This ride will certainly suit those of you who love steep climbs, there are some big ones to take on here. The upside to this of course is the epic descents, they are fast and furious.
Other features of this ride are the glorious views you get of Loch Eck and Loch Long from the top of the climbs, combined with the quality gravel tracks, which make this a compelling challenge to take on. This was a tough ride, but like most of the rides posted on this website, worth it!
Hard
GPX File
Two Loch Loop From Lochgoilhead (33km/960m)
This one goes straight into my favourite gravel rides of all time, it was sublime. I don’t always get on with steep climbing, but this really hit the sweet spot with smooth, easy assents.
The landscape throughout this journey was striking and captivating, but what really made this route special was the 4km of technical singletrack that is unsurpassed for gravel riding, challenging yes, but absolutely divine and thrilling.
This is a top ‘Hall Of Fame’ ride and one of my best recommendations for tech-loving gravel riders.
Hard
HOF
GPX File