Routes for Motorcycles in Loch Lomond and Trossachs
Dukes Pass, Loch Lomond, Loch Long, Stirling
This is a circular route of 120miles with a repeat of 12 miles during the return. Description starts at Callander.
From Callander:
North on A84 about Half mile to Kilmahog. Left onto A821 - narrow A road but passing places not required. A twisting road with blind bends and summits.
- Samson's putting stone and Dunmore fort (earthworks) on top of 2 small hills on right. Loch Venachar on left.
- A narrow road on the right at Brig o Turk leads to GlenFinglas dam (park and walk)
- Loch Achray on left - park at bad bend for photos over loch.
- At end of Achray, turn right to visit Loch Katrine, Pier and Steamer complex. No through road.
- Road climbs now for 5 mile traverse of 'the Duke's Pass' - an exciting winding road with sweeping bends, humps and some surprises. Access to forest drives on left marked by huge slabs of rock. Many viewpoints. Steep and hazardous descent to -
- Aberfoyle. Visit the old parish church ruins and 'Gardemortes'. (almost straight ahead at foot of Duke's Pass).
- Join A81 ½ mile south of Aberfoyle. Initially twisting then clear run, good visibility for about 6 miles before turning right on A811 (signed to Loch Lomond). Good road, few obstacles but beware farm vehicles and entrances. at a wide sweeping bend, a signpost indicates a right turn for -
- Drymen, for an optional detour to visit east shore of Loch Lomond to Rowardennan (visitor centre, viewpoints and beach). No through road, return to Drymen to continue to-
- Gartocharn, (speed trap often found here) where a narrow road on the right leads to Ross Priory, a private golf course and conference centre on the shore of Loch Lomond. Back on the A811 3 more miles takes you to the next town -
- Balloch. At the west end of town a right turn at the roundabout leads to 'Loch Lomond Shores' where Jenners store is the centrepeice of a shopping complex where a cafe, toilets and tourist information may be useful. The old paddle steamer 'Maid of the Loch' m, presently under restoration and used as a reataurant may be visited here. Back to the main road (A811) continue to the A82 roundabout to turn north (right) (speed trap often found here) for about 2½ miles to Arden where a left turn onto the B831 takes you over an 'interesting' road, past a memorial to the battle between the MacGregors and the Colquhoun clans and on to -
- Helensburgh. This was once a major holiday resort but has seen better days. Charles Rennie Mackintosh's architectural masterpiece 'Hill House' is to be found here and in season the steamer Waverley calls at the pier. Turn north here to join the A814 for 6 miles to turn left into -
- Garelochhead. A royal navy nuclear submarine base here has caused much controversy and has in the past seen many a protester arrested. Continue threough the village then up the hill to find a -
- car park viewpoint with toilets. A little way further on is -
- Portincaple naval base where for several years now large naval ships have been berthed - something to do with the nuclear weapons base up the hillside further up the loch. This switchback road now continues for 7 miles to -
- Arrochar where you have a fantastic view over Loch Long to 'The Cobbler' (Ben Arthur) and the Arrochar Alps. Loch Long is also well known to the SCUBA diving fraternity with an interest in marine life and wrecks. At the T junction, turn right onto the A83 for a short trip over the pass (speed trap often found here) to -
- Tarbet and Loch Lomond side. Views over the loch from here onward to Ben Lomond. Continue down Loch Lomond side on the A82 to -
- Inverbeg car park. Huge pipes come down the mountainside here to the power station. The little island on the Loch bears the remains of a Colquhoun castle. A ferry here will take foot passengers over the loch to the Inversnaid Hotel and the west Highland Way. Toilets in the car park. A few miles further south (speed trap often found here) you'll see a left turn signposted to -
- Luss where you can stroll down through the village to the pier and lochside. The TV series 'Take the High Road' was filmed here. An old church just south of the pier may be of interest. Back to the main road now, a further 5½ miles of mainly dual carriagway and wide single carriageway takes you back to the Balloch road (left turn) which you now follow for about 12 miles (been here before) to the junction with the A81. Turn left then quick right to remain on the A81 for Buchlyvie and -
- Arnprior. A minor road on the left here winds for 4 miles to the Lake of Mentieth where a ferry will take you to the island where the remains of Inchmaholm Priory can be visited. Mary Queen of Scots spent much of her childhood on this island. Otherwise continue (speed trap often found here) on the A81 to -
- Stirling where you can visit Stirling Castle, The Wallace Monument, the art gallery and a good selection of shops for the ladies. Follow local signs for 'Trossachs and Callander' for the A84 to -
- Blair Drummond safari and adventure park and then to -
- Doune where you can visit Doune Castle before your return to (speed trap often found here) Callander 8 miles up the road.
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