Gravel Cycling
Loch Earn & Balquhidder Circuit
Rob Roy's country — lochside estate tracks above the grave of Scotland's most romantic outlaw
Quick facts
- Distance
- 40 km (25 mi)
- Ascent
- 640 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Archetype
- Estate Circuit
- Region
- Perthshire & Stirlingshire
- Start point
- St Fillans
- Grid ref
- NN 696 237
- Parking
- PH6 2NF
- Midges
- Moderate
- Dogs
- On lead only
Surface breakdown
- Estate road50%
- Tarmac single-track30%
- Forest track20%
About this route
This circuit links Loch Earn and the Balquhidder Glen — the heartland of the MacGregor clan and the territory of Rob Roy MacGregor, whose grave in Balquhidder Kirkyard still draws visitors from across the world. The riding itself is more varied than most circuits this size: the Loch Earn north shore estate road is fast and smooth, the Balquhidder glen track is rougher and more atmospheric, and the Strathyre forest section gives a forested contrast before the final drop back to St Fillans.
Mhor 84 in Balquhidder Glen is worth building the circuit around — a small hotel and restaurant run by the same family behind the Monachyle Mhor luxury hotel, serving local food that punches well above its size. Book a table for the finish. The Balquhidder Kirkyard where Rob Roy lies (died 1734, unmarried, a free man) is 5 minutes off the route and takes 10 minutes to walk around with appropriate solemnity.
Highlights
- Balquhidder Kirkyard — Rob Roy MacGregor's grave, his wife Mary, and two of his sons in the same kirkyard
- Loch Earn north shore at sunrise — glass-calm water with Ben Vorlich above
- Mhor 84 — tiny restaurant in a Balquhidder cottage serving extraordinary local food
- Ben Vorlich reflection in Loch Earn — the mountain's perfect cone is ideally placed above the loch
- Strathyre birch woodland — the valley turns amber in October; some of the best autumn colour in Perthshire
Key waypoints
- 1. St Fillans
- 2. Loch Earn north shore
- 3. Lochearnhead
- 4. Balquhidder
- 5. Balquhidder Kirkyard
- 6. Strathyre
- 7. Rob Roy's grave
Cafés & pubs on route
- · Four Seasons Hotel, St Fillans
- · Mhor 84, Balquhidder (excellent)
- · Strathyre Inn
Named climbs
- Balquhidder Glen head (320m)
- Lochearnhead climb (260m)
Notable descents
- Loch Earn north shore descent
- Strathyre forest drop
Deer stalking season
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 Loch Earn north shore track is a private road used by the lochside properties — cyclists are tolerated by convention. Ride quietly and give way to vehicles. The Balquhidder glen track becomes rougher beyond Monachyle Mhor hotel — 45mm tyres recommended beyond that point.
Seasonal conditions
October for autumn colour in Strathyre is outstanding. The circuit is accessible year-round — Loch Earn rarely floods and the lower tracks drain well. Spring brings wild garlic on the lower section of Balquhidder glen. Midges are moderate rather than severe — the loch shore benefits from wind.
Key hazards
- Loch Earn north shore is private — give way to estate vehicles and property owners
- Monachyle Mhor hotel guests have right of way on the access track
- Rob Roy's grave attracts many visitors — weekend parking at Balquhidder Kirkyard is tight
Water sources on route
- Loch Earn shore
- River Balvaig at Balquhidder
- Multiple burns
Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.
OS map sheets
Nearest hill
Meall na Fearna
810m · arrochar-trossachs
View hill
Nearest bothy
Camusericht
Walk-in: 8 km · cairngorms
View bothy
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:14
- Sunset
- 21:12
- Civil dawn
- 04:26
- Civil dusk
- 22:00
NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026
Common questions
- Is Rob Roy MacGregor's grave really in Balquhidder?
- Yes — he died in 1734 and is buried in the old kirkyard at Balquhidder along with his wife Mary (of the famous lament "Rob Roy's Lament") and two of his sons. The grave is marked by a flat stone with a sword and shield carving.
- Is Mhor 84 worth the price?
- Mhor 84 is not cheap but it's not as expensive as its reputation suggests — around £15–20 for a main course. The quality is exceptional and the location (a converted village house in a remote Highland glen) is singular. Book at least two weeks ahead for weekends.
- How technical is the Balquhidder glen track?
- The lower section to Monachyle Mhor is smooth estate road. Beyond the hotel it becomes rough double-track — rideable on 42mm+ tyres but bouncy. The circuit can be shortened by turning around at Monachyle Mhor (12km from Lochearnhead).
- Can I visit Loch Voil on the same circuit?
- Loch Voil is the continuation of Balquhidder Glen beyond the circuit's turning point. Adding the Loch Voil section adds 16km return on flat, easy track — one of the most beautiful loch settings in Scotland.