Another great cycle. Heading out on forestry roads and returning on main roads.
10 ish Miles.

Whilst I’m not a great fan of cycling on main roads, at the time the route worked for me. Again, there’s plenty of options of start/finish/turning points if you want to extend/shorten the route ( Kilbride car park,Ardanadam etc).
I chose to start at the top of a John Street in Dunoon. Easy access onto the forestry road which pretty much climbs all the way till your above Dunan.

There’s some great views over the town before you take a left where the road splits,climbs and continues through a gate up to Dunan. There’s a mast on the bottom side of the road but continue straight ahead on the new section of link road.

View over Dunoon and beyond,prior to where road splits

It’s an easy cycle from the mast and your soon ‘bombing’ downhill till you come to a signposted junction. Here I took a left for Glenkin opting out of the shorter Sandbank route.

Navigational aid

After turning left a small climb to the brow of the hill, giving views over Hunters Quay and Strone.

Hunters Quay and Strone

At the time I cycled this section there was quite a bit of forestry activity, so it was necessary to dismount at the loading lorries and move on when prompted by the drivers. Didn’t fancy my chances against a couple of ton of timber swinging about!

Recently harvested timber

Once through the ‘active site’ there was a great view down the Holy Loch and Ardanadam pier.

From here it’s pretty much down hill all the way to the B836. Again there’s a sign post at the next junction offering some navigation help. The Glenkin option is roughly and additional 6 miles if you fancy adding another loop.

The Glenkin 6 Mile route. The signposted junction is just left of the text for Finbracken Hill. So uphill at junction for the whole Glen or downhill for the B836

Heading downhill for the B836 there’s a sweeping bend to the right, follow this to the rumbling bridge. The road to left is the middle road that takes you to the Glenkin Outdoor centre and continues to top of Glen through two Fords.

Looking up Glenkin from right hand bend

Downhill to B836

Once on the B836, it’s down to the junction of the A815, turning right for Dunoon. Nice easy road miles,one climb on the High Road at the primary school.

Another cycle that can be done in a few hours. For me,after work or early
morning. With plenty of scope to add/subtract miles.

A great cycle with few climbs.
10 (ish) miles all in. Forestry road and main road.

Completed this cycle one night after work, taking advantage of the lighter nights we now have.
Leaving from Kilbride car park following the forestry road, a quite straight forward route. The first climb of significance is from where the road splits to the new link road and bridge. Continuing straight on you wind up the hill and follow it as it switches back carrying on climbing till you get to the bench overlooking Dunoon. There’s also the option of a wee downhill track returning to the forestry road if you want a short cycle. Note, this is a shared track with other users.

Continuing heading South is enjoyable and the climb above Ardhallow isn’t to bad. Just before the climb there’s the chance to look North towards Dunoon for a great view through the trees.

Continuing to the quarry which has recently been active there are more great views over the Firth of Clyde.

Finally before the descent to main road a view over Innellan and surroundings.

As you continue south the road splits. Turning right takes you out to Auchafour at Toward, but today’s journey was destined for Innellan, taking a left down hill. The descent to Innellan doesn’t take long with one more turn to the left, through a gate which takes you to the reservoir at the Golf Club continuing to Wyndham Rd.

From the forestry road turn left onto main road , past the school and down Royal Brae. Before you start your return you can get refreshments from the local shop, or a choice of two premises selling meals and stronger refreshments!! The return is easy, especially if the wind is behind you and you can be back in Dunoon in no time.

A great after work or a ‘few hours spare’ cycle that gives great views. Always the option for adding more miles or returning on the forestry road if you like.