Popular forest loop, lovely and sheltered plantation forest perfect for windy days.
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Total Distance: 15.8km
Total Ascent: 326m
Terrain: Forest roads and tracks, a mix of well surfaced and maintained road with sections that are rocky and bumpy.
Route Category: Straightforward
Riding Time: Family with older children or adults – 2hrs.
Start/Finish: Blackcraigs Forest Car park – 600m west of A93 via track leaving road on south side of Bridge of Cally Hotel.
OS Grid Ref: NO140513 / what3words: ///unite.seasons.losing
Nearest Parking: Blackcraigs Forest Car park – 600m west of A93 via track leaving road on south side of Bridge of Cally Hotel.
Nearest Railway Station: Dunkeld or Pitlochry.
Nearest Bike Hire: Alyth Cycles, Alyth. https://www.alythcycles.co.uk/
Key Facilities on Route: No toilets or cafe at start/finish/parking or on route. Nearest pub is at Bridge of Cally or Blairgowrie is a large town that offers public toilets and a range of facilities.
OS Landranger Map: 53 Blairgowrie & Forest of Alyth
Points to note: Can feel like a slog after heavy or prolonged rain due to saturated ground.
Route Description
From the car park head through the gate and up the hill. At approximately 2km take the route on the left and continue up hill.
Around 3.8km you can take the left/straight on spur to gain a nice view, a possible option if you wanted an extra section is to continue down to the loch and back up again.
Continue following the main forest road uphill as it curves round to the right, it will then begin to descend through the plantation with some views peeking out into the valley.
Follow this downhill until you meet the track in which you made your outward journey, bear left to retrace your steps.
If you enjoyed this route, why not try the following?
Calliachar 12km
Griffin 2 Lochs Loop 13km
Blair Castle 17km
Black Wood of Rannoch 22km
Calliacher & Griffin 25km – simply add the two above routes to create a fun longer ride.