Gravelfoyle always has been, and remains an amazing place to ride road bikes. Aberfoyle cafes are a weekly jaunt on many club runs from the Central Belt. It hosts iconic races, sportives and attracts international events every so often. However, one of the main appeals is the sedentary roads and lanes linking many a café for a well-earned blether. 

The Dukes Pass, recognised as one of Britain’s most scenic and enjoyable roads, immediately winds its way northwards and upwards from the village to some unrivalled views, and a fantastic descent. 

Over the Dukes, heading west, leads to the sedentary yet enthralling tarmac road around the historic Loch Katrine. Fantastic café stops, true Highland views, exciting descents, tranquil lochs and wildlife, all in 35 miles.

Staying on the Dukes Pass road, you complete the twists, turns and undulations around Loch Achray and Loch Venachar. Again, plenty more fuel stops with fine dining as well as characterful cafes as you pass Brig O Turk, Kilmahog, Callander and the Port of Menteith. For those wanting to complete their own tour of the Trossachs, a small extension to Thornhill and Ruskie will complete the ride in 27 glorious miles.

Shorter, less hilly loops are available touring Flanders Moss or lapping around Scotland’s only natural Lake (don’t ask, we don’t know) where you might spot an Osprey fishing or a TV crew exploiting the Lake of Menteith’s natural beauty and big views. 

For mile munchers, Aberfoyle is a great starting point to explore the best of Stirlingshire to the South and East over the Campsie fells or out to the Ochils. Fantastic rides out to Perthshire, Loch Earn and Loch Tay are in reach for the ambitious in the North, and for 100 miles you can even “lap” the full River Forth from source to sea via the famous Queensferry Bridge and back.