Gravel Cycling
Loch Tay Circuit
A 40km loch on estate roads with Munros on both shores
Quick facts
- Distance
- 70 km (44 mi)
- Ascent
- 1,100 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Archetype
- Estate Circuit
- Region
- Perthshire
- Start point
- Kenmore
- Grid ref
- NN 773 453
- Parking
- PH15 2HN
- Midges
- Moderate
- Dogs
- On lead only
Surface breakdown
- Tarmac single-track50%
- Estate road35%
- Double-track15%
About this route
Loch Tay is 40km long — the sixth largest loch in Scotland — and the circuit road that runs both shores offers one of the most satisfying loch-circuit rides in the country. The north shore road is a public B-road (B846) running almost flat along the lochside; the south shore uses the estate road through the Morenish and Ardeonaig estates, climbing higher above the water with views across to the Ben Lawers massif on the opposite shore.
The contrast between the shores is complete. The north is settled: farms, holiday cottages, and the village of Fearnan with its excellent hotel. The south is an estate landscape of deer fence and conifer block, with the estate road in variable condition depending on recent maintenance. Both shores give the same central spectacle: the 40km silver sheet of Loch Tay narrowing to the dramatic Falls of Dochart at Killin, where the river drops through a series of rocky ledges in the centre of the village.
Highlights
- Falls of Dochart, Killin — the River Dochart drops through rocky ledges in the village centre; one of Scotland's most visited natural features
- Kenmore Hotel — the oldest inn in Scotland (1572), with a poem by Burns written on the chimney breast
- Ben Lawers from the south shore estate road — the 1,214m massif fills the northern skyline for 20km
- Morenish estate track above the tree line — open moorland and sudden views down the full length of the loch
- Crannog Centre near Kenmore — reconstructed Iron Age lake dwelling with 2,500-year-old log canoe
Key waypoints
- 1. Kenmore
- 2. Acharn
- 3. Croft-na-Caber
- 4. Fearnan
- 5. Morenish
- 6. Killin
- 7. Ardeonaig
- 8. Ben Lawers NTS junction
- 9. Kenmore return
Cafés & pubs on route
- · Kenmore Hotel (Scotland's oldest inn, 1572)
- · Falls of Dochart Inn, Killin
- · Ben Lawers NTS visitor centre café (seasonal)
Named climbs
- Morenish estate climb (380m)
- Fearnan to Loch Tay north shore (280m)
- Ben Lawers NTS road junction (320m)
Notable descents
- Killin approach
- Ardeonaig south shore drop
- Kenmore return
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
Ride anticlockwise (Kenmore–Killin via north shore, return via south shore) to get the better views on the return. The Morenish estate road is a permissive route — cyclists welcome but no vehicle access. The south shore track above Ardeonaig deteriorates toward Kenmore; the final 8km returns via the B827.
Seasonal conditions
The loch circuit is viable year-round but best May–October. The Ben Lawers massif above the north shore holds snow April–May, providing a striking backdrop. The Killin Falls are most dramatic in autumn after heavy rain. Midges at loch-level in June–August — the south shore estate track gets more wind than the north shore road.
Key hazards
- South shore track above Ardeonaig becomes rough 6km from Kenmore — 45mm tyres recommended
- B846 north shore carries some tourist traffic in summer
- Ben Lawers NTS car park road has cattle grids — slow down
Water sources on route
- Loch Tay shore throughout
- River Dochart at Killin
- Multiple burns
Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.
OS map sheets
Nearest hill
Ben Lawers
1214m · fife-perthshire
View hill
Nearest bothy
Camusericht
Walk-in: 8 km · cairngorms
View bothy
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:13
- Sunset
- 21:13
- Civil dawn
- 04:24
- Civil dusk
- 22:01
NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026
Common questions
- What is the Crannog Centre at Kenmore?
- The Scottish Crannog Centre is a reconstructed Iron Age lake dwelling built using ancient techniques. A 2,500-year-old log canoe was recovered from Loch Tay during the building research. Open April–October; entry charged. It sits 2km east of Kenmore on the loch shore.
- Can I swim in Loch Tay?
- Yes — Loch Tay is a popular wild swimming destination. The Kenmore beach at the east end and the Killin shore at the west are the best access points. The loch is cold (max 15°C in summer) and can have motorboat traffic on summer weekends.
- Is the Kenmore Hotel really from 1572?
- The current building dates from 1572 making it Scotland's oldest continually operating inn. The fireplace in the bar has an ode to the Tay written by Robert Burns on his visit in 1787 — it's still visible, now protected under glass.
- How does this compare to Glen Lyon for a Perthshire circuit?
- Loch Tay is more accessible and less demanding — suitable for a strong beginner on a gravel bike. Glen Lyon is more remote, rougher on the estate section, and requires a dam gate code. Do Loch Tay as a warmup and Glen Lyon as the serious day.