Gravel Cycling
Angus Glens Loop
Four Angus glens in one day — deer, grouse moor, and Pictish stone crosses
Quick facts
- Distance
- 80 km (50 mi)
- Ascent
- 1,600 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Route type
- Loop
- Archetype
- Estate Circuit
- Region
- Angus Glens
- Start point
- Kirriemuir
- Grid ref
- NO 390 542
- Parking
- DD8 4EP
- Midges
- Moderate
- Dogs
- On lead only
Surface breakdown
- Estate road45%
- Tarmac single-track35%
- Double-track20%
About this route
The five Angus Glens — Prosen, Clova, Lethnot, Esk, and Isla — run parallel from the Highland boundary fault into the Cairngorms foothills, each with its own character and each served by a single-track road or estate track that penetrates deep into grouse moor and deer forest. This 80km loop links four of the five in a single demanding day from Kirriemuir, the gateway town.
The landscape shifts dramatically as the route climbs from fertile Angus farmland at the glen mouths into true Highland heather moor by the watershed crossings. The Glenesk pass at 540m is the highest point — the route crosses from the glen system into the Angus hinterland at Tarfside, passing the Retreat museum of the glen's social history before the Cairnglass bealach drops into Glen Clova for the finest descent of the day. The Clova Hotel at the head of Glen Clova is one of Scotland's most atmospheric climbing and cycling pubs.
Highlights
- Caterthun Iron Age hillforts above Kirriemuir — twin hillforts on the approach out of town
- The Retreat, Tarfside — small museum of Glenesk social history in a converted schoolhouse
- Loch Lee at the Glenesk head — remote loch with a ruined castle and a stillness that stops you
- Cairnglass bealach — the crossing between Esk and Clova, open moorland with Lochnagar behind
- Clova Hotel — proper post-ride beer and bar meals at the head of Glen Clova, resident climbing culture
Key waypoints
- 1. Kirriemuir
- 2. Cortachy
- 3. Glen Prosen head
- 4. Glenesk
- 5. Tarfside
- 6. Cairnglass pass
- 7. Glen Clova
- 8. Clova Hotel
Cafés & pubs on route
- · Clova Hotel bar meals
- · Tarfside village hall (occasional)
- · The Drovers, Memus
Named climbs
- Glenesk head climb (540m)
- Cairnglass bealach (480m)
- Glen Clova approach (350m)
Notable descents
- Glen Prosen descent
- Glen Clova lower valley
- return to Kirriemuir
Deer stalking season
Grouse shooting on the moor sections 12 Aug–10 Dec. Red deer stalking on Highland estates runs 1 August – 20 October (stags) and 21 October – 15 February (hinds). During active stalking, estate tracks may be closed for safety. Hillphones lists scheduled shooting by estate and date.
Route notes
The Glenesk estate road beyond Loch Lee uses a right of access — there is a seasonal restriction during grouse shooting (12 Aug–10 Dec) when you should take the alternative via Tarfside. The Cairnglass track is not on all digital maps; download OS 1:25k. The Clova Hotel does not take advance bookings for bar meals.
Seasonal conditions
Late May and June are the sweet spot — the heather is green, the glen burns are clear, and grouse shooting has not started. August–December the grouse moor sections should be avoided or confirmed clear with the estates. Autumn colour in the birch sections of Clova is excellent in late October.
Key hazards
- Grouse shooting on the moor sections 12 Aug–10 Dec
- The Cairnglass track can be deeply rutted after rain
- 80km with 1,600m is a long day — allow 8 hours and pack food for a full day
Water sources on route
- River South Esk throughout
- Burn of Edzell at Tarfside
- Multiple burns throughout
Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.
OS map sheets
Nearest hill
Ben Tirran (The Goet)
897m · cairngorms
View hill
Nearest bothy
Shielin of Mark
Walk-in: 10 km · cairngorms
View bothy
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:08
- Sunset
- 21:09
- Civil dawn
- 04:19
- Civil dusk
- 21:58
NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026
Common questions
- Can I split the Angus Glens Loop over two days?
- Tarfside in Glenesk (44km from Kirriemuir) is the natural midpoint — there is a bunkhouse at the Retreat and wild camping beside the Burn of Edzell is straightforward.
- Is grouse shooting really a risk on the trail?
- Yes — the Angus glens are premium grouse moor. On 12 August (the Glorious Twelfth) the moor is busy with shooting parties. The estate tracks are closed to the public on shooting days, which continue until 10 December. Always check with individual estates if visiting August–December.
- Is there a shorter version of this loop?
- Glen Clova alone (out-and-back from Kirriemuir to Clova Hotel, 50km) is one of the best single-glen gravel rides in Scotland. It avoids the high passes entirely and can be done on any 38mm+ gravel bike.
- Where is the best Pictish stone near this route?
- The Kirriemuir stones are in the town museum. The Glamis stone (5km south of the route) is one of Scotland's finest Pictish Class II carved stones and worth the detour — it stands in the grounds of Glamis Kirk.