Some while back I’d posted about doing the West Highland Way and the Lomond-Trossachs Loop was suggested as an alternative. After careful consideration, I decided against following the whole route but to pick up parts of it and just to see what happens. A few things made the decision for me. Firstly, a cycle path runs almost past my Parents door in Alloa and would take me to Doune. A few more miles to Callender would lead me the Lomond/Trossochs route. Taking the cycle route 765 would also add approx. 26 miles to the loop distance, doubled if I did it both ways. So, instead of the Lomond/Trossachs route, I’d cycle to Callender for lunch and then pick up some of the route and pretty much play it by ear.
Day 1
I was slightly late heading out, starting at 9.45 instead of the 8.00 I’d intended. I headed out on the NCN 76 & 765, cycling past the base of Wallace’s Monument, through Bridge of Allan, Dunblane and to Doune. Once in Doune I picked up a back road to Callender and was passed by quite a few road cyclists. All good, really. I’m not fast at the best of times.
Once in Callender, I pottered around for a bit and picked up a few things I’d forgotten and then picked up a lunch of champions…a battered haggis supper, broon sauce and washed down by Irn Bru. Lovely.
Finishing that, I decided to head out alomg NCN7, past Loch Venechar and see about picking up the Lomond/Trossochs trail. I was quite happy picking my was along this, stopping every so often to take in the views. I don’t know what time it was, I think about 4-ish when I spotted what I thought was a good spot. It seemed a little early and I was also un-sure whether it was part of the restricted area. I carried on along the trail and found a board that indicated where the restricted areas are and my little spot was outside it. By the time I’d sussed this out, I’d realised that I’d forgotten beer in Callender. I know right?! Schoolboy error but an error that put the final nail into making any attempt at the Lomond/Trossachs loop. I decided then to carry on the NCN7 for a while, then turn back to Callender, pick up beer and then return to my spot at about 7pm.
Once back, I pitched up and heated some food. The day had been beautiful and was ending lovely, no rain and very little midges either. I could hear a few voices around in the distance but all pretty quiet.
Day 2
I awoke to this.
Lovely mist covering the Loch. No sign of the mountain at all but some voices from what I thought was the other side of the Loch. As the mist cleared, I saw that the voices were from two Guys in boats fishing. I watched them as I had breakfast and got packed up.
My plan today was to head up NCN7 to Killen and either then head across to Loch Lyon if I felt able or just go to Loch Tay. First thought was to head to Callender again and have a 2nd breakfast and pick-up a lunch. Both of these were found in Mhor Bread, a steak & chipotle sourdough road and a scotch pie for lunch. Both very tasty.
On the NCN 7, there were lots of people who were part of a Macmillan cancer sponsored walk. Obviously a great cause and no real issue sharing the route with them. The more that there were, the more difficult it was snaking past them, especially when I needed extra speed and momentum to get up the hills. Near Killen, I sat and had the 2nd half of the steak roll, overlooking Loch Tay, after which I made my way into Killen, grabbed a coke, while making plans for my next move.
My dilemma was whether to head to Loch Tay for another Loch side pitch or head towards Loch Lyon. I decided to head along Loch Tay’s southern shore for a pitch there, thinking that I would still have time to head elsewhere if I couldn’t see anywhere I liked. To be fair, I found the road along that way tiring. Eventually, after some back and forth, I spotted a trail from the road heading to the Loch side. I headed down, found and nice lochside spot and started to take out the tent.
Within minutes, I spotted 3 ticks so moved along 50yds or so. No ticks this time, so got set-up, had dinner, my other beer and got my head down early, about 21.30.
I was woken at 00.30 by really loud music from the other side of the loch that lasted a 1/2hr. Otherwise a quiet night til about 7am when I got up, had breakfast and packed up.
DAY 3
So, which way to go. I didn’t really want to head back down and back the way I came, so quickly decided to pick up the L/T loop. Quite a bit of pushing the bike up the timber trails. As I was getting water I was glad to meet 2 runners who’d driven up to a gate with their van. It just nice to see others as it’d seemed a little lonely heading up there.
At the pipeline I encountered quite a few cows, one of which was eye-balling me. At the same time, I had 3 sheep to my right as I stopped to build up the courage to head on through. One of the sheep was making it clear I wasn’t wanted around those parts and had even made a short charge to encourage me to leave. I took the hint, a deep breath and started cycling. The cows were all standing or sitting around a turn of the trail at the pipe. When I got there, a calf (but still a fair size) was spooked and ran in front of me for quite a bit. I kept expecting Mum to give chase. Eventually, it found a way to escape.
At the end of the pipeline, there was another turn in the road and, again, more cows. I by-passed them this time and came to the end of the trail. Now, I’ve never hike-a-biked in this situation but had a snack and a drink before setting off where I thought Chris’s line was indicating. There were signs of a track from a quad bike going along the same direction, so I followed that until I couldn’t see it anymore. Google maps wasn’t accurately locating me either. I did managed to work it out and changed back to where I was supposed to be. It was an effort though and I was glad to find the start of the other trail. Had half of my scotch pie.
The downhill was enjoyable. I took the rough gravel sections easy and the long downhill (mainly) was enjoyable. The scenery to the mountains nearing Comrie was impressive. Maybe the best of the trip.
At Comrie, I left the Loop and headed via Greenloaning (lovely 4 miles uphill on a B road that google described as ‘mostly level’) and then up and over Sheriffmuir, to Bridge of Allan and back on the NCN 765 and home to Alloa.
The last 3 miles were a pain as I headed into the only headwind of the 3 days. Made it home with perfect timing to a full roast. Nice.
The trip was a long time in the planning and even at the time of going I still felt under-prepared. I’m glad I changed plans and took each day as it came. Both nights lochside were great. I loved cycling around places I know but loved the exploring. This wasn’t as adventurous a trip as you’ll see but probably right for me. But what can I say…beautiful weather, no rain, beautiful scenery, no mechanicals (the bike did well) and an all-round excellent experience. I think I'll get back in the spring.
I was also pleased to spot the start of the next track 
