Auchterarder / Dunblane / BofA/ Sherrifmuir

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Auchterarder, Scotland, GB

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Route Overview

David Hall /// Synergy Cycles

Getting people stoked on cycling... & gravel, always a little gravel.

41 mi.

2,418 ft.

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A scenic and historically significant loop, with quiet farm roads and options for tourist/ cafe stops along the way.

Route Details

# before you start
Start the route in the town of Auchterarder, get any last minute provisions as well as the best coffee and cake in town from @poi[Synergy Cycles](5212522).

The route is on roads, including single lane farm roads.  You may encounter some mud and debris from farm vehicles; but its a worthy price to pay for the solace, traffic free roads and the A9 which divides the route.

**The majority of the elevation is confined to the second half of the ride, so save the legs!**

# the riding
Rolling out of Auchterarder your heading toward the world famous @poi[Gleneagles resort](5212523), if you are a first time visitor, it's a worth detour to check out the entrance and drive way.

Beyond the Gleneagles resort the roads narrow and the scenery really opens up; the first POI you will pass is the @poi[Ardoch Roman Fort Remains](5212524).

From here, we're headed out toward another world famous luxury hotel in the area- owned by local tennis legend Andy Murray! Cutting through the grounds of the @poi[Cromlix](5212525) estate we follow a quaint farm road into the village of Dunblane.

[Dunblane](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g227126-Activities-Dunblane_Scotland.html) offers time to pause and view an incredible @poi[Gothic Cathedral](5212526) with the original tower dating to the 11th Century. As well as a time-warp local pub the @poi[Tappit Hen](5212528) and the beautiful Strathearn running straight through town.

We exit Dunblane by means of a footpath headed for a short time on the A820 toward Doune. We're quickly off the main road and back on farm roads, up through the Keir & Cawder estate grounds. This affords fantastic views of the surrounding mountains as well as of the much filmed @poi[Doune Castle!](5212529)

On the descent into Carse of Lecropt the history continues with the [Wallace mounument](https://www.nationalwallacemonument.com) piercing the horizon and indicating the nearness of lunch.

On entering @point[Bridge of Allan](d,38159.62), a small section of single track means the avoidance of a relatively high speed road into town; however if rain or equipment make this more difficult, it's an easy section to skip and stay on the main roads.

Bridge of Allan is a bustling village with fantastic pubs, micro-brewery, chip shop and coffee. [There's something to suit everyone here](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g551845-Bridge_of_Allan_Stirling_Scotland.html). A slight detour to Causewayhead also sees the potential of a cycling friendly Italian Restaraunt - Corrieri's - a favourite with local cycling groups.

Exiting Bridge of Allan it's all climbing for the next wee while, so eat light and pace yourself.  Stunning climbing leads you out into the Sherrifmuir road, passing local [well-trodden Ochil Hill of the Dumayat.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumyat) It's certainly worth a look back over the Wallace monument, Stirling and a good way down the Forth river on a clear day.

Once the (now closed) @point[Sherrifmuir Inn](d,46767.91) is within sight you know your almost at the highest point of the day.
Truly on hallowed ground here, being at the site of the [Battle of Sheriffmuir ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sheriffmuir)from the Jacobite uprising of 1715. A slight detour (left before the Inn for 0.7 miles),takes you to the monument of the battle and its understood that remains of fallen soldiers are still in the boggy grounds.

The surrounding hills also hold other stories, being the site of copper and silver mines.

# the return
Gravity takes over for almost the entire way back to Auchterarder. Be ware of the cattle grid on the way down! When you hit the base of the climb with the A9 in front of you it's necessary to traverse a small section of rough farm path - a small price to pay to avoid ever crossing the A9 - when you see the [Tullibardine distillery](http://www.tullibardine.com) you know your out of the woods. **It is possible to include the distillery in your days plans.*

As you apporach the roundabout that diverts you back toward Gleneagles, signified by the @poi[giant set of Golf Clubs](5212538) protruding from it, pause to look directly down Glendevon, a magnificent road and one for another day!

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Auchterarder / Dunblane / BofA/ Sherrifmuir

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