Bikes can be hired from X Bikes Argyll, Hunter's Quay Holiday Village, Dunoon, tel. 07795 301748 or go to their website.

Forestry Commission Scotland has a leaflet on bike rides at Glenbranter. This can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre at Ardgartan. In Cowal a number of routes are either there and back or have to use main roads as part of the loop.

We recommend helmets are always worn

Other bike rides

Free and Easy rides can be done at anytime of the year on the Cowal Peninsula or combined with cycle rides during Cowalfest. Cowal has great cycle routes with magnificent views for cyclists that want more than just the rough and tumble of the downhill experience.

Uig Loop
Grade - Easy
Distance/time - 3.5 miles / 1 hour
Start/finish - Car park at Uig Hall GR 144848
About the route - Cross the river by the bridge near the hall and turn left. Follow the track until you join the road and continue heading in the same direction (south) for about a mile until you see a forestry track to your right with a sign about lorries turning. Take that track and follow it up for 1 mile until you come to the first left turn. Take that along the side of the quarry and follow it until you come out onto the road. Turn left and head back along the road retracing your tracks to Uig Bridge. Instead of crossing the bridge continue along the track to the next bridge. Cross here, cross the main road and follow the path onto the old road heading back south. Continue along this until you come to where the road turns right, in front of a group of houses, to meet the main road. Cross the road and you are back at Uig Hall.

An easy reasonably flat ride that will give you a flavour of Cowal with forest, water and gardens.

WE SUGGEST HELMETS SHOULD ALWAYS BE WORN.
While you are in the area visit Benmore Gardens or pop into their café and shop for some refreshment.

Blairmore Loop
Grade - Moderate
Distance/time - 4 miles / 1 - 2 hours
Start/finish - Blairmore village
With your back to the loch head left to the first turning on the right. Head up Whites Brae and continue parallel to the shore road for about a mile. The road becomes a forestry road and heads uphill behind the village. You will come to a T junction with an open view to the right, but turn left and continue back above the road you have just come up. You will be heading south. After about 1 mile the track comes out above the golf course with glorious views over the Clyde. Continue on this road until you reach a junction where the road turns sharpish left or continues along the shore towards Kilmun. Turn left here and come down through an estate of houses called Westfield. Just at the bottom of Westfield head right up the hill – might have to get off and push. Follow this road along in front of the golf club, down to the big open field in Blairmore. Turn sharp right back down Whites Brae to the shore road and your start point.
WE SUGGEST HELMETS SHOULD ALWAYS BE WORN.

Stop to enjoy the shops in the village or have a cuppa in the café.

Enjoy yourself safely

Many cycle routes meander through the rugged forests of Cowal. Some of these tracks may be used by vehicles so please ride carefully and obey any warning signs erected. Most are all purpose routes so it is likely you may encounter walkers or horse riders. Ride responsibly following the Access Code.

ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET AND APPROPRIATE CLOTHING.
Highland Stores and Outdoor Spirals in Dunoon will be able to advise and supply suitable clothing and equipment.