Cycle ride of the week: a Borders loop with stirring North Sea views

Criss-crossed by car-free tracks and quiet country lanes, Scotland is packed with stunning cycle routes. From easy coastal loops and gentle city trundles to all-day epics and trips through brooding glens, here is your definitive list of the best cycle trips in Scotland in one easy-to-access place.
No need to buy a map — we’ve got those covered — and each ride tells you how long you’ll need, how fit you’ll need to be, and what not to miss along the way.
For more Sustrans cycling day trips and route maps go to visitscotland.com/cyclingroutes
• More beautiful wild cycling countryside routes around Britain
Beginning near the border in the pretty coastal town of Eyemouth, this moderate 9.5-mile loop offers stirring views over the North Sea and an imposing 19th-century castle once visited by the author Mark Twain (Charles Pring writes).
Starting at the Glenerne Guest House, go east along Coldingham Road, before a left onto the B6355 takes you out of Eyemouth. Take another left at a T-junction 1.5 miles further along and stay on this road until it bends to the right, at which point turn left onto an unmade track.
When this rejoins the B6355, a right turn takes you down over the A1 into Ayton, where a left at the village crossroads brings the castle unmistakably into view. Continue for another mile until a signpost to Flemington takes you onto a country lane, which precedes a fairly steep climb up to Chesterbank Farm for stunning coastal views.
Descend over the A1 into the charming fishing village of Burnmouth, following a minor road out of town before turning right as it meets the A1107, which leads back to Eyemouth.Descend over the A1 into the charming fishing village of Burnmouth, following a minor road out of town before turning right as it meets the A1107, which leads back to Eyemouth.
Start/finish Eyemouth1 hour; easy with one moderate climb; 9.5 miles
Total ascent623ft ascentSuitable for Most bikes on paved paths and road, with one short section of unmade path.
Don’t miss
• Ayton Castle: A 19th-century Scottish baronial mansion visited by Mark Twain in 1873, who was so taken by the fireplace mantel he bought it.• Eyemouth beach: Just the spot for an ice cream or fish and chips from nearby Giacopazzi’s.
Marooned between the Eden and the Tay, the Tentsmuir peninsula is a promised land of traffic-free cycle tracks and forest paths. With its mix of paved surfaces and country roads, this is a varied route with superb views of the Firth of Tay and St Andrews Bay.
Starting at 2 Links Road North car park in Tayport, head south along the coast, turn south through Tentsmuir forest (keep an eye out for red squirrels and roe deer), emerging just above lovely Kinshaldy beach. From here, continue west along National Cycle Network Route 1 into Leuchars. The route now loops inland back to the Tay Firth on a mix of quiet country roads and farm tracks, passing Kilmany and Gauldry.
Once at the Tay Bridge, head east past Tayport’s East and West lighthouses, continuing on to Tayport Harbour, then down along Harbour Road, onto the Promenade and back to the car park.
Start/finish Tayport2-3 hours, intermediate, 23.8 miles
Total ascent1,000ft
Suitable for All bikes on paved surfaces
Don’t miss
• Tayport Harbour: Eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins, which live in the estuary• The Pile lighthouse: Abandoned in 1960, it was built in 1848 by the Fife-born civil engineer James Leslie
Sweep through the verdant Dumfries and Galloway countryside on this challenging but rewarding 20-mile road circuit, with an alpaca farm and (unrelated) shooting range en route.
Start in Penpont and head towards Thornhill, looking out for the egg-shaped Millennium Cairn sculpture by the British artist Andy Goldsworthy. Go straight ahead if a nosey around Thornhill appeals, otherwise turn left onto the B732 and briefly join the A76 before exiting immediately to the right.
Continue until taking the second right, and keep with this road as it bends left, then follow signs for Gatelawbridge on the right. After the village, follow the road south to the Auldgirth Inn, passing the Crichope Linn gorge and Cample Line exhibition space on the way.
Deviate northeast at the inn if shooting takes your fancy, otherwise cross the River Nith and stick with the country road back to Penpont as it goes through Glenhead, stopping in Keir for alpacas and locally produced cheese.
Start/finish Penpont2 hours; hard with a couple of 300ft climbs
Total ascent 2,352ft
Suitable for All bikes on paved surfaces.
• Crichope Linn: a dramatic sandstone gorge and waterfall hidden away at the end of an enchanting woodland path, situated about halfway between Gatelawbridge and the wee hamlet of Cample.
• Nith Valley Alpacas: a charming and quirky tourist attraction within the private grounds of the Capenoch estate, offering visitors the chance to meet and even go trekking with the curious South American creatures.
With mostly paved and asphalt surfaces, the Dumfries to Caerlaverock Castle loop via National Cycle Network Route 7 is a brilliant route for a family day out, with stunning coastal views and two wonderful stop-offs.
Setting off from Dumfries railway station, head towards the River Nith, then follow Glencaple Road towards the B725 and the coast. After about five miles you will reach quayside, where the Boathouse Glencaple has a lovely waterfront terrace overlooking what used to be a busy 1800s shipyard — perfect for a bit of lunch or a drink before continuing the journey towards Caerlaverock Castle. You could even spend some time exploring the castle ruins and the surrounding woods followed by another refuel at the tearoom and visitor centre. Complete the loop by following the B725, continuing onto Bankend Road, then Craigs Road back towards the starting point.
Start/finishDumfries railway station; 1 hour 50 minutes; easy; 19.6 miles
Suitable for All bikes on paved surfaces
Don’t miss
• The Boathouse Glencaple: next to the River Nith on the historic quayside of Glencaple, it has stunning views towards Criffel and the estuary.
• Caerlaverock Castle: first built in the 13th century and is situated on the edge of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve.
Enjoy the best of Bute with this intermediate 23-mile road route around the island, which takes in remarkable Mount Stuart House and not one but two mysterious stone circles.
Start in Rothesay — it’s well worth a visit to the 13th century castle — and head east along the coast on the A844 to Craigmore, sticking with it as it dives south and inland towards Mount Stuart. Follow the road down to its most southerly point, where the Kingarth hotel offers weary wayfarers a hearty feed. A short deviation here leads to the neolithic Blackpark stone circle.
The road then continues north; make sure to turn left towards Ambrismore to stay on the A844 as it curves around the coastline. Another left at a T-junction five miles further along keeps you on the main road as it passes Ettrick Bay and the St Colmac stone circle, before sweeping across to Port Bannatyne and Ardbeg on the return to Rothesay.By Charles Pring
Start/finish Rothesay3 hours; intermediate; 23 miles
Suitable for all bikes on paved surfaces.
Don’t miss
• Mount Stuart House: a gothic revival country mansion surrounded by lovely gardens.• Ettrick Bay: a mile-long sandy beach popular amongst swimmers for its clear waters, with a tearoom overlooking the sea and the St Colmac stone circle nearby.
This is a cracking ride down to one of Scotland’s prettiest coastal towns — with an optional bus ride back if you get waylaid in the beer garden at the Waterfront hotel overlooking Portpatrick harbour!
From Stranraer, head inland on the Old Military Road, climbing steadily across farmland until views open up at the top of the climb. Stop to soak up the views — on a good day you’ll see right across the the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man and Co Antrim coast, which is less than 25 miles across the water. It’s a lovely sweeping descent into Portpatrick with its pastel-coloured houses overlooking a picture postcard bay and harbour. It’s well worth a visit to Dunskey Castle nearby. From Portpatrick, the 367 bus takes 20 minutes back to Stranraer; or cycle back along the B738, detouring via Killantringan Lighthouse then back along the quiet Piltanton Burn road to Stranraer.
Start/finish Stranraer 3-4 hours; moderate; 19 miles including the detour to Killantringan lighthouse
Total ascent 1,400ft
Suitable for Road bikes on a mixture of quiet roads and A roads
Don’t miss
• Killantringan lighthouse: Completed in 1900, this lighthouse has the wreck of the Craigantlet, which ran aground in 1982 visible in the bay below• Dunskey Castle: The haunting remains of a 12th century clifftop tower half a mile south of Portpatrick
• Walk of the week: Portpatrick and Killantringan loop
Signposted all the way, this is a pancake-flat trundle along the River Tweed — perfect for families in search of an easy winter cycle.
Entirely traffic-free but for a short stretch on quiet roads through the village of Cardrona, the route follows the disused railway line between Peebles and Innerleithen, with lovely sections alongside the river as it wends its way along the northern slope of the Manor Hills. You can start at either end of the route, and just go 6.5 miles one way and get the X62 bus back, or cycle back the way you’ve come.
Whichever end you start, it’s well worth visiting Traquair House, Scotland’s oldest inhabited house. Also worth a stop, especially with mini-MacAskills, are the mountain-biking centres at Glentress and Innerleithen, with miles of single-track cycling for newbies and gnarled pros.
Start/finish Peebles or Innerleithen 1 or 2 hours, easy, 6.5 or 13 miles
Total ascent 65ft or 130ft
Suitable for All bikes. Paved, sealed surfaces and mostly traffic-free, but with occasional vehicles on a short section in Cardrona
Don’t miss
• Traquair House: dating back to 1107, this handsome royal hunting lodge houses historic exhibits and glorious grounds with woodland trails• Glentress: Scotland’s top mountain-biking centre has a skills area, jump park and 40 miles of single-track graded green to black• Innerleithen: a renowned downhill trails destination. Adrenalin Uplift operates buses departing every seven minutes to take you to the top of the trails. Visit adrenalinuplift.co.uk for details
An inspiring day ride through the beautiful Tweed Valley, packed with historical interest along the way.
The route starts from Melrose Abbey, passes Trimontium — an outpost of the Roman Empire — then heads over the spectacular 1863 Leaderfoot Viaduct before climbing to Scott’s View. Here you can enjoy fantastic, wide views of the Tweed Valley, which were a source of inspiration for Sir Walter Scott, hence the name of this spectacular ride. The route then loops around Bemersyde Moss nature reserve before arriving in Dryburgh, home to the ruins of 12th-century Dryburgh Abbey. From here, cross the River Tweed and go through the pretty village of Newtown St Boswells before passing the Rhymer’s Stone and returning to Melrose. Sadly, the abbey is closed for maintenance, but it’s still worth visiting the elegant grounds and cloister (before a well-earned treat from Abbey Fine Wines café on Market Square).
Start/finish Melrose Abbey 2-3 hours, intermediate, 14 miles
Total ascent 780ft
Suitable for All bikes on paved, sealed surfaces. Cycle paths and roads with mainly light traffic. Some roads can be busy on fine weekends in summer. Some steep climbs but mostly gradual.
Don’t miss
• Rhymer’s Stone: A large stone inscribed with the legend of the 13th-century laird Thomas Rhymer, with superb views from here down the glen to Leaderfoot and Black Hill• Dryburgh Abbey: Magnificent abbey on the banks of the Tweed, home to the tombs of Sir Walter Scott and Field Marshal Earl Haig• Bemersyde Moss: A narrow strip of marsh, willow scrub and open water sheltering wintering wildfowl, including teal, shoveler, goldeneye and wigeon
Explore three historic harbours on this easy out-and-back route along the Firth of Forth. Almost entirely flat, and mainly off-road along the John Muir Way, it’s a great one for families.
Set off along the coast from Fisherrow Harbour, stopping at the bird hides on the ash lagoons east of Musselburgh. At Prestonpans, you’ll spot the towering chimney that marks the industrial heritage museum at Prestongrange, as well as murals and artworks along the route. From here, a five-minute detour brings you to the site of the 1745 Battle of Prestonpans, or visit the Waggonway museum, which celebrates Scotland’s first railway. Continue along the coast to the harbours of Cockenzie and Port Seton before returning the same way.
Start/finishMusselburgh2 hours, easy, 11 miles
Total ascent90ft
Suitable forAny bike on flat mostly off-road terrain
Don’t miss
• Brawling women: A mural by the artist Wei Luan — it’s one of more than 30 murals along the Prestonpans section of this route• Waggonway Project: A heritage centre with a free museum exhibit on the 1722 Tranent to Cockenzie waggonway• Carlo’s: Grab chips from Port Seton’s best fish and chips bar, then eat them on the pretty harbour
This ride is one part cycle to two parts treasure hunt, snuffling out some of Glasgow’s best public art works.
Starting at Queen Street station, head south to the Clyde via George Square to join National Cycle Network Route 75 for a short loop out to the “Squiggly Bridge” via La Pasionaria, a memorial to volunteers in the Spanish Civil War. Now head upriver via Clutha Bar’s murals to Glasgow Green, home to The People’s Palace, Glasgow’s social history museum. Carry on east to the Hope sculpture, built to commemorate Glasgow’s hosting of COP26.
Start/finishQueen Street station, Glasgow2-3 hours; moderate; 10.4 miles
Total ascent130ft
Suitable for All bikes on cycle paths, shared-use paths and roads. Confident cyclists only.
Don’t miss
• Dr Connolly I Presume?: a mural reproduction of Jack Vettriano’s painting of Glasgow’s favourite son on Dixon St• Wonderwall: a colourful nearly 200m-long tribute to the alumni of the University of Strathclyde on George St
eaving Loch Lomond Shores shopping centre in Balloch, join the Old Luss Road via Duck Bay and up the west side of Loch Lomond on the off-road cycle path alongside the A82. Pass Cameron House into Luss, a location for the ITV soap opera Take the High Road. Catch the ferry from Luss for the 45-minute crossing to Balmaha (£13pp + £3 a bicycle; cruiselochlomond.co.uk) — worth the ticket alone for the sweeping views north to Ben Lomond. Grab a bite to eat in Balmaha, then continue either on or off-road to Drymen village through the Buchanan estate. From Drymen, join Route 7 for the ride back to Balloch via Balloch Castle Country Park.
Start/finishBalloch5-6 hours; challenging; 29 miles
Total ascent1,184ft
Suitable forMost bicycles, on off-road paths and quiet roads
Don’t miss
• The Oak Tree inn: A fabulous pub in Balmaha with a beer garden overlooking the loch• St Mocha coffee shop: This cute café next door to the Oak Tree serves killer cakes and ice cream• Balloch Castle: A 19th-century mansion in landscaped gardens, just before the end of the loop
Ten minutes by ferry from Largs, wee Great Cumbrae is looped by a quiet, pancake-flat coastal road punctuated with beaches and cafés — perfect for a family cycle in spring. This loop finishes with a 417ft ascent to the highest point on the island, but if you’re here with young kids, you could always spend the time swimming and eating ice creams on the beach in Millport instead.
This easy ten-mile anti-clockwise loop starts at the ferry port, rounding the top of the island by the Tomont End monument, which commemorates two midshipmen who drowned here in 1844. Now head down Great Cumbrae’s western shores via cafés at Fintry Bay and the main town, Millport. Do stop at the Cathedral of the Isles whose grounds are carpeted in spring with white wild garlic.
Continue for four miles up the east coast to the ferry terminal, with an optional diversion up to the Glaid Stone for 360-degree views of summit and sea.
Start/finish Great Cumbrae ferry terminal 90 minutes, easy, 10 miles
Total ascent 147ft (or 564ft with Glaid Stone)
Suitable for Mountain bikes and resilient hybrids on cycle paths and quiet minor roads, with some moderate hills
Don’t miss
• Lion Rock: A 65 million-year-old Labradorite dyke eroded to look like a lion, just as you head up the east coast• Cathedral of the Isles: The smallest cathedral in Britain has a collection of Celtic crosses excavated on the island in the Victorian era• The Glaid Stone: A large red sandstone boulder at the top of the island with views west to Arran and north to the Arrochar Alps
Three distilleries in three miles, with cracking coastal views from an off-road cycle track between them? No wonder Peter Irvine recommends this lovely wee pedal, on an island, as he puts it, “where whisky rules the waves”.
Opened in 2016, the Three Distilleries Pathway starts just next to the primary school Port Ellen. Running parallel to the road, the route heads east along the south coast, with lovely sea views opening up at Sròn Dubh before you arrive at the first of your distilleries, Laphroaig. From here, the path heads through woods then back parallel with the road until you reach Lagavulin, one of Islay’s oldest distilleries, producing whisky here long before it became legal to do so in 1816.
From here, continue another mile to Ardbeg, whose Old Kiln Café is a great spot for a bite, then head back the way you came to Port Ellen.
Start/finishPort Ellen45 minutes there and back; easy; 6 miles
Suitable forAll bikes on a metalled cyclepath
Don’t miss
• Old Kiln Café: Ardbeg’s fab wee café does excellent fish cakes, soups and home baking, with a lovely outdoor space for sunny days• Islay E-Wheels: Bike hire at No 1 Charlotte Street hotel (islayewheels.co.uk) from £25 a day and free bike pick-up if you want to do some whisky tastings en route and bus it back to Port Ellen.
A brilliant, varied circular trip connecting the Helix park, The Kelpies sculpture, Falkirk Wheel and Callendar Park, with wildlife, street art, Roman history and cafés galore along the way. Entirely off-road on cycleway, towpath and woodland trail, it can broken up into shorter sections if 16 miles is too big a bite. Note, however, there are several road crossings and some sections next to busy roads.
Start at the Helix, pausing for selfies below The Kelpies. Head anticlockwise along the River Carron through a wetland. Look out for contemporary art in Abbotshaugh woods and graffiti at an underpass further on, then join the Forth & Clyde canal path for some easy pedalling on tarmac. More selfies at the Falkirk Wheel, then on along the Union Canal to Callendar House, where you can hunt out remains of the Antonine Wall in the landscaped park before completing the loop at the Helix.
Start/finishThe Kelpies at the Helix2.5 hours, moderate, 16 miles
Total ascent823ft
Suitable for Wider tyres; mountain bikes advised (some muddy/rough sections)
Don’t miss
• The Kelpies: Built in 2013, this spectacular stainless-steel sculpture lords it over the 865-acre park• The Falkirk Wheel: A wonder of engineering, linking the Forth & Clyde canal and Union canal via its giant rotating arm• Callendar House: A 14th-century house given a French château facelift, with glorious gardens and a great café
An epic loop tackling one of Scottish cycling’s classic climbs exploring perhaps the most beautiful corner of the Trossachs, with an easier option for families.
Starting in Aberfoyle, cycle up the steep Duke’s Pass, a switchback ascent with an average gradient of 5.7 per cent. Your reward is a thrilling descent down to the shores of Loch Achray with views of Ben A’an towering above. Continue to Loch Katrine, fictional setting of the poem The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott, and follow the private single-track road along the northern shores of the loch, past Glengyle House where Rob Roy MacGregor is said to have lived, to Stronachlachar. Stop for a bite at the Pier Café before continuing through the forest back to Aberfoyle.
For a family-friendly alternative, hire a bike from the pier at the eastern end of Loch Katrine, take the ferry to Stronachlachar and cycle back 13 undulating miles along Loch Katrine.
Start/finish Aberfoyle 4-5 hours; challenging; 31 miles
Total ascent 948ft
Suitable for All bikes
Don’t miss
• Bicycle hire from Trossachs pier by Loch Katrine from £15 an hour (katrinewheelz.co.uk)• Glengyle House at the head of Loch Katrine• The clan MacGregor graveyard jutting into the loch about eight miles from Trossachs pier
Now is the perfect time for this challenging all-day route — it’s not too hot, nor too cold, and the days are still long enough to fit it in. Careful planning is needed though, as the route involves three ferry crossings.
Starting in Oban, follow the Caledonia Way north, crossing Connel Bridge to continue along the coast via Benderloch and Ledaig, with fabulous views of Castle Stalker just after Appin. Keep heading up the coast, pausing to take in the remarkable views across Loch Linnhe from the Ballachulish Bridge. Now take the ten-minute Corran ferry crossing and head south along the loch before turning inland to Strontian. From here it’s a challenging climb over the watershed above Loch Sunart then a fast descent into Lochaline for your next ferry to Fishnish on Mull. From here an easy five-mile trundle brings you to Craignure for the ferry back to Oban.
Start/finish Oban 8-10 hours; tough; 84 miles
Total ascent 3,885ft
Suitable for Road bikes on cycle paths and paved roads
Don’t miss
• Castle Stalker: A dramatic 15th-century fortress marooned on a rocky outcrop in Loch Linnhe• Ballachulish Bridge: Views east to the Pap of Glencoe and west to the summits of Ardgour• Ferry fish and chips: No Craignure to Oban crossing is complete without it
This is a lovely scenic off-road cycle from Ardrishaig to the coast at Crinan, alongside a canal rightly known as Britain’s most beautiful shortcut. That shortcut is the nine-mile stretch between the Clyde and Atlantic Ocean, reopening to boats this Tuesday after extensive maintenance work. All along the canal you will see boats, canoes and kayaks navigating its 15 locks.
Theoretically you can just go one way (8.5 miles) and get the bus back, but catch the driver on a bad day and you won’t be allowed to take your bike aboard. Much better to do the whole thing, there and back, maybe stopping for a seafood lunch overlooking the waves at the Crinan Hotel, or at the coffee shop next door (open March to October), or halfway along by Lock 10 at Polly’s Coffee Stop, a converted horse box in Dunardry. Make time for the bird hides at Bellanoch and Moine Mhor nature reserve along the way.
Start/finish Ardrishaig 1.5 to 2 hours, moderate, 17 miles
Total ascent 233ft
Suitable for All bikes on an unsealed hard surface
Don’t miss
• Moine Mhor nature reserve: A wild mosaic of mossy hummocks and wild ponds, a good place to spot hen harriers. Great views of Dunadd Fort• The Egg Shed: A red-roofed community centre opened in Ardrishaig in 2019, with exhibitions telling the story of the Crinan Canal• Crinan Seafood Bar: Cracking wee restaurant at the Crinan Hotel, worth a stop for the jumbo prawns landed on the pier below
A circular ride with fjord-like views around the Highland sea loch The loop begins by heading west from Glencoe village on the traffic-free path alongside the A82. Briefly join National Cycle Network Route 78 as it heads across the bridge between South Ballachulish and North Ballachulish. Turn right to join the quiet B863 and begin the ride along Loch Leven’s north shore.
At Kinlochleven, which in 1907 became the first village in the world to have electricity in all houses thanks to its hydro-electric project, enjoy the views from the head of the loch. Continue on the B863 as it climbs to trace the south shore back to Glencoe, looking across the water to the summits of the Mamores.
At Glencoe, the Massacre Monument tells the story of the infamous events of February 13, 1692.
Start and finish Glencoe village 2-3 hours; intermediate; 20 miles total
Total ascent 261m
Suitable for All bikes; quiet roads and sealed cycle paths
Don’t miss
• Ballachulish Bridge: for panoramic views towards Glencoe, Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe• Head of Loch Leven: for views along the length of the loch• Gap of Glencoe: a high-level viewpoint looking along Loch Leven
A taster of some of the best scenery the Cairngorms National Park has to offer, this 12.7 mile scenic loop traces the River Dee from Braemar to the Linn O’Dee waterfalls, returning through ancient Caledonian pine forest past Mar Lodge. It follows quiet roads, taking in Victorian hunting lodges, spectacular waterfalls and royalty-approved picnic spots.
Setting off from Braemar on the banks of the Dee, the route goes west beside the river on Linn of Dee Road. Cross the water just beyond Muir to reach the Linn of Dee waterfalls, and loop around to the right at the car park. Heading east, you soon reach Mar Lodge, built in 1895 for the Duke and Duchess of Fife. Cross the river via the Victoria Bridge to rejoin Linn of Dee Road back to Braemar, where you can refuel in luxury at the Fife Arms hotel.
Start and finish Braemar 2-2½ hours; intermediate; 12.7 miles total
Total ascent 652ft
Suitable for All types of bike. Tarmacked minor roads. Mainly flat with one short, steep climb
Don’t miss
• Duke of Rothesay: Highland Games Pavilion Braemar’s new tearoom and Highland Games museum• Victoria Bridge: Picturesque 1905 lattice girder bridge over the Dee• Linn of Dee: Narrow gorge that was a favourite picnic spot of Queen Victoria• Mar Lodge: Victorian lodge, lording it over a 70,000-acre estate
Criss-crossed by miles of waymarked gravel tracks, Culbin Forest is a cyclist’s promised land fringed by a huge sweep of sand bordering the Moray Firth. This easy ten-mile route is just one of any number of loops for all levels and ages.
Starting at Wellhill car park, follow the gravel path through the light and airy woodland and look out for rare lichens and orchids among the well-spaced trees. First stop is Hill 99 Viewpoint Tower. Park the bike, then climb to the 105ft-high viewing deck for a sweeping vista over a sea of conifers to the Cairngorms and the Black Isle. Now follow the forest tracks east via the Gut (a stretch of mudflats — keep to the track) to the beach below Buckie Loch — but be prepared for a bracing sea breeze at this time of year. From here, loop back to the start via Lady Culbin’s Buried Trees, whose strange, twisted trunks grow out of a large dune.
Wooden poles were sunk in the Culbin sands to prevent enemy gliders from landing during the Second World War.
Start/finish Wellhill car park; 1.5 hours; easy; 10 miles
Suitable for Mountain bikes on gravel tracks.
Don’t miss
• The Gut: tidal mudflats on the Moray Firth, a haven for wintering waders and wildfowl• Buckie Loch: a wild stretch of marram dunes and heath with a beach below and big-sky views over the Moray Firth
Where are your favourite cycle routes in Scotland? Let us know in the comments below