Long Road Routes
Long road routes are designed to challenge even the most ardent endurance cyclist. They also venture 360 degrees from Crieff and give you the full experience of what we love so much about being at the heart of, what we think as, the best cycling in Scotland. They are all over 100miles and take in stunning glens, lochs and mountains.
Please scroll down the page to read the full route descriptions and to download your chosen route's GPX data.
The Big Yin North West
A challenging ride taking in some of the best of Strathearn. Riding out along the side of Loch Earn then up and over Glen Ogle and into the village of Killin, sitting on the banks of Loch Tay. From Killin another climb and the road winds its way through amazing remote countryside. Looking left and right to some of Scotlands famous munros.
Next down into the dramatic Glen Lyon. Cycling along this classic glen as it carves its way following the river Lyon and onto the village of Aberfeldy. The route turns west and to Kemore before ascending the challenging but stunning Glen Quaich. The route follows the Sma' Glen back to Crieff. Scotland in miniature Glen Ogle, Glen Lyon, Aberfeldy & Glen Quaich and back to Crieff via Sma' Glen.
Route Overview
- Category:
- Difficult
- Start/Finish:
- James Square, Crieff Town Centre
- Distance:
- 168 km/104 mls
- Ascent:
- 6,775 ft
- Descent:
- 6,750 ft
- Duration:
- 12 hrs 57 mins
- Avg Speed:
- 8.0 mph
- Terrain:
- Mixed
- On Route:
- Cafes, public toilets and bike repairs may be on route but please check availability.
The Big Yin West
Setting out from Crieff heading west along the southern shores of Loch Earn (watch out for the swimmers) before joining the A84 (can be busy, option to follow the cycle path but only for tyres over 30mm, see mixed routes). Cycling into the village of Strathyre and onto the impressive Loch Lubnaig (watch out for the swimmers). Turning off at Kilmahog and into the Trossachs before cycle passed Loch Venachar, Loch Archry and on up to the timeless Loch Katrine.
Round the Loch Katrine there is limited car access, so the peace and tranquillity of Scotland can be truly appreciated. The beauty of Loch Arklet, Loch Chon, Loch Ard guides you to the Trossachs town of Aberfolye. Scotlands only Lake, of Menteith leads you into Stirlingshire and then the pretty back roads back to Strathearn and Crieff.
Route Overview
- Category:
- Difficult
- Start/Finish:
- James Square, Crieff Town Centre
- Distance:
- 161 km/100 mls
- Ascent:
- 4,425 ft
- Descent:
- 4,425 ft
- Duration:
- 11 hrs 41 mins
- Avg Speed:
- 8.6 mph
- Terrain:
- Mixed
- On Route:
- Cafes, public toilets and bike repairs may be on route but please check availability.
The Big Yin North East
Passing the road side Wee Cupboard on the Hill and on to little Glenshee, where a splash through the ford leads onto Bankfoot and following Aberfeldy and through the Panoramic roads of Glen Cochill, back down the beautiful Sma’ glen.
Route Overview
- Category:
- Difficult
- Start/Finish:
- James Square, Crieff Town Centre
- Distance:
- 162 km/100 mls
- Ascent:
- 5,450 ft
- Descent:
- 5,450 ft
- Duration:
- 12 hrs 03 mins
- Avg Speed:
- 8.3 mph
- Terrain:
- Mixed
- On Route:
- Cafes, public toilets and bike repairs may be on route but please check availability.
The Big Yin South
From Crieff, we head out following the line of the river Earn through the quiet villages of Perthshire, turning up from the main road, over Glentarkie and down into Fife, where we join the beautiful back road from Starthmiglo and head around Loch Leven (which can be cycled around traffic free).
Heading west, the road climbs up and over Knockhill with spectacular views. The route then joins the south Ochil road and through the Hillfoot towns. A cheeky climb up to Sherrifmuir rewards the rider with an undulating cycle over the beautiful Sherrifmuir road before a cracking descent back into Strathearn, finishing with a wee lap of Balloch before home.
Route Overview
- Category:
- Difficult
- Start/Finish:
- James Square, Crieff Town Centre
- Distance:
- 164 km/101 mls
- Ascent:
- 5,375 ft
- Descent:
- 5,375 ft
- Duration:
- 12 hours 15 mins
- Avg Speed:
- 8.3 mph
- Terrain:
- Mixed
- On Route:
- Cafes, public toilets and bike repairs may be on route but please check availability.
The Big Yin East
A gorgeous route that heads east and up into the pretty villages north of Perth. Cycling past the famous Meikleour Beech Hedge gives a sense of perspective before the route takes a tour around the small roads north of Dundee, where you can take in some super panoramic views.
Dropping down to Abernyte, the route then winds round the little roads on the Braes of Carse. You are sure to find a wee lung buster here! Once up Balthayock, the view opens up to the south and you can catch your breath and descend into Perth. Heading out to Bridge of Earn, the route gives opportunity to head around the Rynd for some more beautiful views and follows the earn valley back to Crieff.
Route Overview
- Category:
- Difficult
- Start/Finish:
- James Square, Crieff Town Centre
- Distance:
- 165 km/102 mls
- Ascent:
- 5,000 ft
- Descent:
- 5,000 ft
- Duration:
- 12 hrs 07 mins
- Avg Speed:
- 8.4 mph
- Terrain:
- Mixed
- On Route:
- Cafes, public toilets and bike repairs may be on route but please check availability.
Big Yin to the Bridge
This is a cracking east to west route and pedalling over the Tay Bridge adds an extra dimension to the ride. Leaving Crieff by the small roads, the route enters Perth and exits out over the river Tay and then up and over Kinnoull Hill on the NCN77, giving sweeping panoramic views to the south before descending onto the flat lands of the Carse of Gowrie.
Small roads lead into Dundee and the scenic NCN1 cycle path leads along the side of the Tay towards the Bridge. A quick elevator up one level and you are out on the Tay road bridge. The Pretty Fife coastal path, NCC777 leads you back to Newburgh and a short ride on the A913 brings you back onto the quaint back roads leading back to Crieff. A cracking day out.
Route Overview
- Category:
- Difficult
- Start/Finish:
- James Square, Crieff Town Centre
- Distance:
- 168 km/ 104 mls
- Ascent:
- 4,700 ft
- Descent:
- 4,700 ft
- Duration:
- 12 hrs 20 mins
- Avg Speed:
- 8.5 mph
- Terrain:
- Mixed
- On Route:
- Cafes, public toilets and bike repairs may be on route but please check availability.