Water Of May Loop

Overview

Distance

23.1 km

Duration

Total Ascent

594 m

Difficulty

Moderate

Route Details

Services: Kinross

OS Grid Ref: NO 133 104

OS Landranger Map: 58

Terrain: Sealed high quality roads suited to all types of bike.

Facilities: There are currently no toilets or cafes nearby. The Glenfarg Village Store sells food and drink to take away. There is plenty of parking along Glenfarg's Main Street - the B996.

Key Points:

Can easily be extended to visit the village of Dunning
Can be extended into a figure-of-eight loop by adding in the Fargie Loop ride on the opposite side of the A9.

Route Architect

Mike Stead

Route Video

Route Description

The Route

Starting from the Glenfarg Village Store (or from parking on the main road B996), head along Greenbank Road and then west up Hayfield Road. This quickly steepens and winds through shady trees before breaking out at the high point of the loop (261m), affording fabulous views north over Glenfarg Reservoir and Strathearn to Glen Almond and the hills beyond.

Two cyclists on a quiet country road, with a view over fields — The view north over Glenfarg Reservoir to Strathearn

The road is signposted 40MPH - Walking & Cycling Friendly - and you are likely to meet few vehicles. That said, the road is entirely single-lane with passing places and many blind corners, so take your time and admire the views.

two cyclists on a narrow country road with a view over countryside — The view over Strathearn

After 8km there is a steep descent through old woodland down to Ardargie, where the road forks left at 9km and crosses the Water Of May. This is the first turning, so it’s hard to get lost.

Two cyclists stand looking over the edge of an old stone bridge — The first bridge over the Water of May

After crossing the Water of May the road winds amongst farmland, turning left again after 13km at the Mains of Condie. There is an immediate steep zig-zag descent down to cross the Water of May again, then another climb out of the valley onto the high ground.

A single-lane country road through rolling hill country. — Rolling country road

The next 6km roll through open country with views north to the Lochelbank windfarm and occasionally east to the Lomond Hills in Fife.

After passing the Springhall forestry plantation at 20km you turn left again, still on a 40MPH road, and enjoy a long straight descent back into Glenfarg and the start point.

A long, straight single-lane country road — The road back into Glenfarg

Local notes:

e-Bikes can be borrowed from Glenfarg Freewheelers at their discretion and depending on availability. To book a bike contact Glenfarg Freewheelers 07436 419585 or email Freewheelers@glenfarg.org

Community Centre Coffee morning with cakes on Thursday mornings 10 to 11.30am

Rides with other cyclists of various distances are available most Thursdays after coffee for others to join. These aren’t lead rides but all are welcome.

There is a pop up pub August 5th to 16th, 5pm to 11pm in the Community Centre off the main st.( attached to hall)

This route was created by CycleRx thanks to grant funding from the RWE Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and Foundation Scotland.

Route Map

Local Services

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Bike Services & Rentals

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