National Cycle Network Scottish Highlands Route 7 Aberfeldy Pitlochry Killiecrankie Blair Atholl

Part of a series covering cycling in the highlands of Scotland - Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 7 Lochs and Glens North (Glasgow - Inverness). Watch for new sections as they get added. The routes are all done as return trips so you can see the conditions and scenery in both directions and are intended to give you a feel for the route, gradient and surface - as well as showcasing the beautiful scenery.

Aberfeldy sits at 90m just off route 7 which runs along the north side of the Tay here.

After crossing the Tay on General Wade’s bridge we head east at Weem and follow an undulating minor road gradually down stream to 64m, cross the bridge here to avoid the main road then climb to about 90m above the south bank of the Tay for some fine views and gradually down again to about 62m at the impressive old railway bridge at Logierait where the Tay and the Tummel merge.

Cross the main road here and theres a short steep steep climb of about 20m, some more undulating single track road and a final steep 30m up to a farm at 125m with a great view over Pitlochry, then down again crossing the river Tummel at 80m on the suspension footbridge (note no cycling!)

A gradual climb up the main street of Pitlochry, exiting the end of the town at about 115m, then up through Killiecrankie high above the river Garry to around 165m before dropping down to Blair Atholl at 135m.

Overall, there are some steep sections but they are short and the signposted 14% at Killiecrankie doesn’t last long and really doesn’t seem that steep. The main hazard is probably the busy road section through Pitlochry and Killiecrankie to Blair Atholl. It’s the old A9 and still carries a lot of tourist and local traffic.

Surface – It’s all tarmac apart from a short 100m section you easily bypass.

One hint – I happened to park outside the Breadalbane bakery and tea room in Dunkeld street Aberfeldy – that’s the main way in from the A9 and picked up a really nice (and good size) empire biscuit before starting off - they also have public toilets.

Cycled with a Specialized Tricross with 32c Marathon Plus tyres.
GoPro Hero 4 Silver, 1080 wide, protune, gopro colour -0.5 ev to retain the skies using the Grad Filter effect in    • Grad Filter Effect Tutorial Sony Movie Stu...  

Additional material Lumix TZ30 set at -2/3 ev
Edited with Sony Movie Studio Platinum 13. No stabilisation (it cuts the field of view). Some Youtube compression artifacts after upload owing to the lack of stabiliastaion.

Royalty-free music by Underwaterbeats and Riot (courtesy of You Tube Music Library)

Cycled 19 March 2016