A nearby and little-known scenic trip is along the back road between Drymen and Gartmore village. This route is along a quiet single-track road, forming part of Sustrans Cycle Route 7 which meanders from Sunderland in the north of England to Inverness in the north of Scotland. The direct route by road from Sunderland to Inverness is 291 miles. Cycle route 7, making use of quiet back roads, railway paths and canal towpaths achieves this in 540 miles
The day was overcast but as we left Drymen there were intervals of brightness.
The first section from Drymen starts adjacent to the primary school. From there it is a straight climb up the hill to Garadbhan car-park, adjacent to the road where the West Highland Way walking route crosses.
This is a great place to stop and take the trail west to the top of Conic Hill with its commanding views over Loch Lomond and the surrounding hills.
We stopped near the car-park to look back to the south. The Campsie Fells were silhouetted under a dark and moody sky. The unmistakable hunch of Drumgoyne distinctive at the western end of the range (on the right of the photo). Drumgoyne, by the way, is immediately above the famous Glen Goyne distillery - well worth a visit.
Shortly after passing Garadbhan car-park we reached the top of the climb and continued along what is a nearly level plateau passing Muir Park Reservoir on the left and a transmission mast on the right, before starting to go back downhill.
For the most part the road runs in a straight line and is well maintained – although there are sections which would benefit from resurfacing and improved drainage. From a cyclists point of view these sections can be a little hazardous – especially when it has been raining as it is often difficult to distinguish between a puddle and a deep pothole filled with water.
During the descent there are fabulous views to the east, across the Forth Valley to the Campsie Fells and the hills of the Trossachs.
Just before forestry tracks leave the road on the left and the right you pass over one of the famous Loch Katrine Aqueducts – although it is not visible as it is underground at this point. The first aqueduct between Loch Katrine and Glasgow was opened by Queen Victoria in 1859
The final part of the descent could be described as a fantastic sledging hill! Long and straight with a continuous gradient and not a car to be seen. Not recommended though. We are now about a third of the way between Drymen and Aberfoyle.
At the bottom of the hill we pass a Rowan Tree. This year the berries are prolific and bright red. Said to be a sign of a harsh winter to come.
The road is very quiet, we only passed a couple of cars – on each occasion one of us having to pull into a passing place to allow the other to pass. This is a custom some visitors are unused to, but it is essential to permit cars to cross.
Passing places can be few and far between on this road. Sometimes reversing a distance is required
Shortly after reaching the bottom of our decent, we can see the village of Gartmore in the distance, its white buildings shining in the occasional burst of sun.
Soon we are in the village of Gartmore, clinging to the side of the hill. At the top of the main street is the famous Black Bull pub and hotel - now run by a community collective and well worth a visit. Shortly after passing through Gartmore we joined the main A81 north to Aberfoyle. Cyclists however need not take the main road but may continue to follow Cycle Route 7 which at this point follows the former railway track between Gartmore and Aberfoyle.
For those wishing to follow this route back to Drymen from Aberfoyle they may wish to hire bikes or electric bikes from the Bike Shop in Aberfoyle. Happy cycling!
