Welcome to Scotland’s Adventure Coast. Argyll & The Isles is a natural playground where mountains, lochs, islands and forests combine with a spectacular coastline to provide an awe-inspiring setting for bikepacking.
Get on your bike and get Wild About Argyll! Share your bikepacking stories from the Wild About Argyll Trail on social media by using #waat as hashtag.
This is Bikepacking Scotland’s first long-distance trail that is suitable for gravel and mountain bikes alike. At 655 km (407 miles) the Wild About Argyll Trail provides an amazing adventure on gravel tracks, forest roads, singletrail, quiet roads and cycle paths. It can be ridden in one go or split up into different sections, well-served by public transport along the route (please look at the various different sections for more details).
And if you are not cycling, there’s plenty of opportunity to taste whisky and craft beers, to go island hopping, swim in crystal clear water, breathe pure air, watch magnificent sunsets and see starry skies that will take your breath away. You’ll also discover incredible wildlife, a rich Highland history and fabulous local food. All of this just a hop and a skip from Glasgow.
Key Stats
- Total ascent: 13,827 m (45,364 feet)
- Length: 655 km (407 miles)
- Max elevation: 450 m (1,476 feet)
- Min elevation: 0 m (0 feet)
Best time to visit
The Wild About Argyll Trail can be ridden all year round. The best time to visit is from April to October. Some sections can be muddy or boggy in wet weather conditions. Please note that some ferries operate with reduced services during autumn/winter months. For detailed climate information visit metoffice.gov.uk.
Highlights
- The dramatic landscape of the Ardgartan Peninsula
- Loch Eck and Puck’s Glen
- The rugged landscapes and steep coastal roads in East Kintyre
- The views from the highest point at Allt Dearg Community Wind Farm and the descent to Achahoish
- Glen Nant National Nature Reserve, the forest roads around Loch Awe and Avich Falls
The full route can be viewed on Google Maps here:
These are the individual sections. Please click on the links, where you will find the GPX files to download and a detailed route description:
Section 1 – Helensburgh to Portavadie
Section 4 – Port Appin to Helensburgh
Important links
Each route page contains the relevant links for that part of the route. For general information for Wild About Argyll, Scotland’s Adventure Coast, please visit wildaboutargyll.co.uk.
Transport to and along the route by train
Scotrail operates frequent services between Edinburgh Waverley and Helensburgh Central, stopping at Glasgow Queen Street and stations along the route. Bikes don’t have to be booked in advance on these services, but please avoid peak trains if possible.
Trains operate from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban a few times a day, stopping at Helensburgh Upper, Arrochar and Tarbet, Connel Ferry and Taynuilt. There are frequent services from Aberdeen, Inverness, Stirling, Perth and Dundee as well as London and stations in the south to Glasgow Queen Street. Please make sure to board the right carriage, as trains from Glasgow split in Crianlarich, with one part travelling to Oban and the other to Fort William. If you are travelling from the north, trains operate from Fort William to Crianlarich, from where you can connect to Oban trains. Bikes need to be booked in advance when travelling on these services. For information and bookings go to www.scotrail.co.uk.
Car parking facilities
Free long-stay car parking is available in Helensburgh on the lower part of the Pier Car Park behind the swimming pool. There is also free on street parking away from the town centre, but it is recommended to always park in a well-lit area. Many of the larger towns and tourist villages in Argyll do charge for parking in the town centres, but have free parking further out of town. Please check before leaving your car for any length of time.
Ferries
Ferry services along the route are operated by the following companies. For timetables and fares visit their websites:
Portavadie to Tarbert, Oban to Lismore (Achnacroish), services to Gigha, Bute, Mull and Islay (optional): Calmac
Lismore (Point) to Port Appin: Argyll & Bute Council
Ferries to and from Dunoon (not necessary for the route, but good as alternative entry and finish point): Western Ferries, Argyll Ferries
This is a selection of images taken along the Wild About Argyll Trail on Flickr:
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
Scotland’s outdoors provides great opportunities for open-air recreation and education, with great benefits for people’s enjoyment, and their health and well-being. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 ensures everyone has statutory access rights to most of Scotland’s outdoors, if these rights are exercised responsibly, with respect for people’s privacy, safety and livelihoods, and for Scotland’s environment. Equally, land managers have to manage their land and water responsibly in relation to access rights.
The Code is based on three key principles:
- Respect the interests of other people.
- Care for the environment.
- Take responsibility for your own actions.
For more information visit outdooraccess-scotland.com.