The David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre just above Aberfoyle on The Dukes Pass is a great place to start exploring on bikes. As the map below shows, there are many cycle routes that can be started from the Visitor Centre in the Loch Achray Forest or in The Loch Ard Forest. Most of the routes are shared with walkers so care should be taken on the downhills and bends. The 3 Lochs Forest Drive can also be cycled starting from the Centre but beware of traffic which should be travelling in an anti-clockwise direction and sometimes can be busy. This route is a great cycle of about 13 miles to get back to the Centre passing Loch Achray, Loch Drunkie and Lochan Reoidhte with plenty of places with great views to stop for a rest.
The David Marshall Lodge has recently been refurbished and has plenty of parking, toilets and a nice Cafe to relax before or after your cycle. Its also the location of Go Ape, the high wire adventure course in the forest which is also a great day out for all the family.
Cycle Maps
The above maps have been provided courtesy of the Forestry Commission Scotland. Most routes are suitable for cyclists and walkers. Please click on the icon to show an enlarged map, information on the difficulty of the route, footwear etc.
From the waterfall trail the path follows the route of an old drovers road as far as the Dukes Pass. Here the trail crosses the road and continues to climb through an open, regenerating native woodland. As the path rises there are superb views across the Carse of Stirling and south towards the Gargunnock Hills and the Campsie Fells. The trail then returns to the David Marshall Lodge on forest roads through the mature conifers of Achray Forest.
Enjoy a gentle stroll through the forest to the waterfall of the little fawn. Scenic in high summer and spectacular in spate.
390 million years ago the Highland Boundary Fault was formed. This trail combines information on the geology of the area with a walk in the forest and a number of excellent scenic features. A tremendous panoramic view from Lime Craig is the most outstanding. On a clear day Ben Lomond, Ben Venue, and Ben Ledi are clearly visible, while Ben More and Stob Binnein can be seen in the distance.
The path, which is narrow in places takes you into the Craigmore Oak Woodland. As you walk the trail, you may notice that most of the trees are roughly the same size and height. To make way for a new generation of trees, a number of small areas were felled in the mid 1990’s. These areas have been left to regenerate naturally and Birch, Rowan, Holly and Oak are all competing to fill the gaps.
Important Message from the Forestry Commission Scotland:
Many of the Forestry Commission Scotland’s trails and forest roads are suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Please show consideration and courtesy to everyone you meet. Some trails and paths are less suited to cyclists and horse riders because of the gradients and surfaces. Please behave responsibly in helping us to maintain these routes.Please remember also that forests are working landscapes and that forestry vehicles also use these roads.