Callander and the Trossachs for cyclists and mountain bikers

Callander has long been known as a gateway to and from the Highlands. Callander crags are part of the geological fault known as the Highland Boundary.

The passes through the hills north of the town have been used over the centuries by Travelers, Drovers and Caterans. These passes continue to this day to allow access into wilder country further north and south.

National Route 7, a Sustrans route which passes through Callander provides cyclist and mountain bikers access to well established trails around Callander and the Trossachs.

The route is known as Lochs and Glens North coming from Glasgow on its' way to Inverness were it joins the North Sea route.

Callander today is a main access town into Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotlands' first National Park. It is much more than a 'gateway' today. Its' is described as the being the Heart Of The Park. The country around Callander offers great opportunities for all outdoor activities and country pursuits.

People who come to area are often surprised by number of routes that can fallowed providing easier family experiences, safe for children to more challenging 'off road' and single track experiences. The trails around the lochs,glens and woodlands in the area offer great scenic opportunities that should not be missed. The glens and woods also offer some very challenging routes through the hill passes of the area. Scotways are traditional 'rights of way' in Scotland and where used in the past as main routes across country for locals and travelers alike. Callander is situated at the convergence of a number of these routes. Today they are mainly used by recreational users such as cyclists and walkers.

Information on the routes around Callander is not to difficult to find. Most of the maps available have some indication of them included. The forestry Commision provide a number of detailed guides, Callander is included in their map and guide to the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Other route information is available through numerous independent publications' and maps available at the Rob Roy Visitor centre and other outlets in the town.

So folks come and experience the Heart of Scotland and the Trossachs by visiting the Heart of the Park at Callander

Rob Roy Way, cycling and cycling safety in Glasgow

The baggage transfer service has had some early walkers, the Livingston Family, a party of 6 people started on 24 April and completed RRW route on Saturday 29th. This party booked our services through Macs Adventures. Presently we have 2 couples, known as the Hamilton party walking the RRW route at present, with their planned completion on Friday 4 April. This group booked through Walking Support.

We also have a couple walking a shorter 3 day route through the Trossachs booked through Contour Walking Holidays.

This Wednesday the cycling safety sessions run in some Glasgow Primary Schools begin again at St Mungo's PS with others planned for later in the month.

May See's the reinstatement of the Culture and Leisure service of Glasgow City 'On Yer Bike' sessions. They have a booklet with all the details available, For more information Tel:
0141 287 3611/3836

2008 Season about to begin

The scene above is of Tigh Mor on the north shore of Loch Achray in the Trossachs. The view is from the north end of the Dukes Pass a scenic drive through the Trossachs area between Callander in the north and Aberfoyle in the south.

The walking route through the Heart of the Trossachs described in earlier pages of this site passes through this area offering many more fine views.



The winter is passing and spring is on it's way with longer days and hopefully some finer weather.



The booking for the various services we offer are increasing with cycling sessions being planned Locally in the Trossachs area and in and around Glasgow's many parks and cycle ways. Some confirmed bookings for the Lochs and Glens North route on National Route 7 Balloch to Inverness. With an ever increasing number of baggage transfer bookings on our main route The Rob Roy Way @ http://www.robroyway.fsnet.co.uk/ .

Bike and hike look forward to continued involvement with all of the walking and cycling holiday companies and booking agencies through 2008.
We provide these services through, in no particular order,
Contour Walking Holidays @ http://www.contours.co.uk/ ,
CnDo Walking Holidays @ http://www.cndoscotland.com/ ,
Easyways Walking Holiday Booking Agency @ http://www.easyways.com/ ,
Escape 2 Scotland Walking Holiday Booking Agency @ http://www.escape2scotland.co.uk/ ,
Macs Adventure Walking and Mountain Biking Adventures @ http://www.macsadventure.com/ ,
Maketracks Walking Holidays @ http://www.maketracks.net/ ,
Hooked on Walking and Cycling @ http://www.hookedoncycling.co.uk/ and http://www.hookedonwalking.co.uk/ ,
Skedaddle Cycling and Mountain Bike Adventures @ http://www.skedaddle.co.uk/ ,
Walking Support Booking Agency @ http://www.walkingsupport.fsbusiness.co.uk/ ,
Wildcat Adventures Cycling and Mountain Biking Holidays @ http://www.wildcat-bike-tours.co.uk/ .
This is not an exhaustive list of all the organisations and agencies we provide our services through.



We are also happy to provide these services to groups and individuals who are planning their own routes by foot or on wheels into or through the National Park area and beyond.



We also offer passenger transfer services from Airports Train and Bus stations into the National Park area.



We offer a bike delivery service to people visiting the area for a longer period. We will also arrange the hire of a bike , deliver it to you at your holiday accommodation and return to the hirer at the end of your stay.



Want to visit the more secluded and secret places in the Trossachs on foot or by bike or a combination of both. We can plan a route and provide a guide to help you get to know the Trossachs.



Would you like to develop your trail or mountain bike riding skills, we provide experienced instruction.



We also offer emergency mechanical and rescue services to touring cyclists in and around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park area.

Want to get your group to the begining of your walk or cycle trip any where in Scotland contact us to discuss your requirements.

So folks if you are visiting our beautiful country to walk,cycle , mountain bike or need help to get into our spectacular part of Scotland we have a service to help you make the most of your holiday adventure.

Not a lot happening?

This is the time of year when there is not a lot going on.

Well not the case for yours truly. I have been visiting Primary Schools in the North of Glasgow through the Active Schools programme intoducing the older groups of chilren 8 to 12 years to cycling safety. Here in Scotland we have an updated scheme that replaces what us older cyclist new as the Cycling Proficiency scheme. The first stage in the Scottish Cycle Training scheme introduces the children to checking the bikes before they get on. With emphises on enjoyment and fun.

A practice we would all benifit from.

The young people seem to have enjoyed this input and lets hope it has an impact on their future cycling enjoyment.

I have also included a view of Ben Ledi from Callander with a covering of snow as we are in a winter wonderland at moment. Not great cycling weather but great to get out walking in.

The 1st of Feruary was the 20th anniversary of the death Harry Lawrie a local police sergent and leader of Killin Mountain Rescue Team. He died on Ben More Crainlarich in a helicopter accident whilst on a rescue. There is a cross on the summit of Ben Ledi in memory of him.

The bookings for our various services to walkers and cyclist are beginning to come in it looks like we are going to have another busy season.

The Trossachs Heartlands Route

Happy New Year to Every One

A big Thank You to all of you who used our services in 2007.

Welcome to all, our services are tailor made for you, no matter what you choose to do in and around the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area and beyond

It is around this time of year we start to look at our walking holiday options for 2008.

We at bike and hike would like to invite you to our beautiful part of Scotland in 2008. We have put together four itineraries for walking through the Trossachs Heartland's and would like to invite you to consider them for your walking holiday 2008.

The route takes you through some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. Visiting the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond and then on through Scotland's first National Park ' Loch Lomond and the Trossachs'.

On the way you can choose to climb some of the hills in the eastern park. Ben Lomond, Ben Venue, Ben Ann and Ben Ledi.

The route provides a framework from which the walker can plan their own route through the Trossachs on into Breadalbane and Killin or into West Perthshire and Comrie and by Glen Lednock on to Loch Tay.

Although the Route uses established ways through the hills and glens. Not all of these routes are way - marked and you will require good route finding skills to follow them.

The route takes from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Drymen and Loch Lomond on it's eastern shore to Rowerdennan by the West Highland Way. Then east through Loch Ard forest to Kinlochard and Aberfoyle. Then by Ben Venue to Trossachs pier at Loch Katrine. At which point there are 4 options. 1. Continuing through the Trossachs to Brig O Turk, Glen Finlas, Glen Buckie to Balqhidder passing Rob Roy's grave to the Kirkton Glen and on to Glen Dochart and Killin. 2. Through the Queen ELizebeth Forest park along the southern shores of Loch's Achray and Vennacher to Callander. Joining the Rob Roy way and National Route 7 to Strathyre, Kingshouse and Balquidder and then as option one by way of Kirkton Glen. 3. As for option 2 and at Callander taking the Crags Walk and the Bracklynn Road on through Glen Artney to the bridge at Ross and on into Comrie. 4. From Comrie by Glen Lednock to Loch Tay west to Killin or east to Kenmore and Aberfeldy.

Getting to Milngavie. There are regular train and bus services from Glasgow Milngavie and the southern end of the West Highland way. On your return journey home there are bus services from your choosen destination point to Pitlochry, Perth and Stirling all of which have train services.

Accommodation. There are many accommodation options on the way. From Self catering bunk houses, hostels to standard bed and breakfast and more expensive hotels.

You choose your route option/s, we provide route details, route plans, maps and the baggage transfer service. Contact us, colin@bikeandhike.co.uk or by phone 0044 (0)1877339788.

Happy New Year

More 2007 pictures

A selection of picts from this year