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CYCLING IN WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE

If you want rough and challenging terrain then you are spoilt for choice across the muirs or crags. A look at the Walks in West Dunbartonshire section may give you some ideas beyond those here; some walking routes being suitable for such cycle rides too. index.asp?pageid=719120

If you want a pleasant smooth ride then you have several options to and through West Dunbartonshire.

If you are a long distance cyclists, you will find West Dunbartonshire a great place to start at or stop at to replenish.

The NCN 754 follows the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath westwards from Old Drumchapel and Higher Knightswood before entering West Dunbartonshire. The NCN 7 runs westwards too, but closer to the Clyde and the two converge on the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath in Clydebank next to a sculpture of a giant bicycle. From there the route continues along the towpath on its easy flat surface. 

The National Cycle Network (NCN 7) runs right through the area utilising sections of Forth and Clyde Canal towpath and old railway routes until it heads up the towpath on the western side of of the River Leven heading to the cycle path on the western side of Loch Lomond. 

The NCN 7 within West Dunbartonshire is in several sections that together make a great day out ride, but section by section offer easier outings for you and your family. 

  • FORTH AND CLYDE CANAL TOWPATH. From Clydebank all the way to Bowling. The old railway swing bridge over the canal basin is being turned into an integral part of the cycle route. 
  • BOWLING OLD RAILWAY ROUTE. This section is very different and follows the disused railway route as far as Dunglass Roundabout. 
  • CYCLE ROUTE INTO DUMBARTON. From Dunglass Roundabout you reach a purpose built cycle track and follow that, parts of which were also former railway line, as far as Dumbarton Central Station. There are some roads to negotiate.
  • LEVEN TOWPATH. This follows the River Leven all the way to Balloch Bridge.
  • OLD LUSS ROAD AND LOCH LOMOND. From Balloch Bridge head west until you find Old Luss Road. Travel along that until it pops put next to the A82 heading north. But instead of keeping alongside that ride through Duck Bay. You will soon find a cycle path that may spend some time next to the A82 again, but for much of its length is a very pleasant ride alongside Loch Lomond. 

West Dunbartonshire is well served by railway stations at a reasonable distance fom or close to the NCN 7. The route actually passes below Dumbarton Central Station. At Balloch you can arrive by train and choose whether to head east into the rolling hills around Gartocharn or north following Loch Lomond. 

The Scotland Cycle Route website suggests this route eastwards from Balloch. It takes in some rolling hills, Gartocharn and even the southern banks of Loch Lomond at Ross Priory. See the link below. You could vary that with a visit to the Bird Reserve (index.asp?pageid=715851) and a return ride down Auchincarroch Road into Jamestown. Of course if you kept going east you would probably reach Croftamie.

Bowling is a good place to stop off at. The cycle route follows the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath over the newly upgraded and restored railway bridge, now referred to as the BOWLINE. From this vantage point you can look down on the boats, but a cycle ramp takes you to the ground level complete with a cafe and a bike shop / repair centre. index.asp?pageid=716285

Old Kilpatrick is another good stop off place. There are a few shops, cafes and restaurants. Even a free cafe. this latter is the Wee Chatty Cafe, an offshoot project of the OKFP. Cyclists find it handy as it is just off the Forth and Clyde towpath and adjoining the Saltings area walkways.. By free it is signified that it is part of the food parcels project of the OKFP based in the Napier Hall. No payment is requested, but there is a large hungry bucket for donations according to your means. Behind the colourful portacabin is a pleasant little garden. index.asp?pageid=737533

If you are cycling long distance, presumably you have planned well ahead and have a good idea of where you are heading and how to get back. As we have noted the main National Cycle Network route is NCN 7. You may well be surprised be be confronted by a sign suggesting that you are quite close to NCN 1 which generally hugs the east coast.

This sign is on the Leven towpath near Balloch.

Yes you will connect up with NCN 1... if you persist long enough. 

The sections of Route 7 between Sunderland and Inverness take in breathtaking views of forests, hills and lochs. It is over 540 miles long and passes through two National Parks before arriving in the Scottish Highlands at Inverness. [Sustrans]. So this means that NCN 7 meets up with the NCN 1 in Inverness. From there you can continue if you still have the stamina.


The Vale of Leven Trust run an ACTIVE TRAVEL HUB from premises in Mitchell Way, Alexandria. You can not only meet others interested in cycling, but refresh your cycling skills if you have not been on a bike for ages and learn about bicycle maintenance. They have a fleet of e-bikes and lead group outings. See details below.

SUSTRANS have established self-help bike repair points at such places as Dumbarton Central Station and Bonhill Bridge that crosses the Leven between Bonhill and Alexandria. 


ACTIVE TRAVEL HUB - Vale of Leven Trust : https://www.facebook.com/valeofleventrust/ and https://vale-of-leven-trust-active-travel-hub-sports-club.business.site/

CYCLING SCOTLAND : https://www.cycling.scot/

KOMOOT website : https://www.komoot.com/guide/68894/cycling-in-west-dunbartonshire

SCOTLAND CYCLE ROUTES website : https://www.scotlandcycleroutes.org/routes/balloch-loop-via-gartocharn Route from Balloch and looping around Gartocharn.

SUSTRANS website on the National Cycle Network :  https://www.sustrans.org.uk/national-cycle-network/

NCN 1 : https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-1/

NCN 7 : https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-7/

WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL website : https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/countryside-facilities-and-wildlife/countryside-and-leisure/cycle-paths/

 

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