Gateway to the Highlands – Bike or E-Bike Tour from Edinburgh

Leave the city behind and head for the hills on this full-day guided cycling adventure through the Trossachs National Park. Covering 25 miles of scenic Highland trails, this tour includes transport from Edinburgh, incredible lochside views and a stop for an authentic Scottish brunch along the way.

Key Details

• Duration: 7 to 7.5 hours (allow 8 to 8.5 hours including pick-up/drop-off)
• Distance: 25 miles (40 km)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Group size: Minimum 2 people
• Meeting point: Outside The Caledonian Hotel, 11 Rutland St, EH1 2AB

What to Expect

Your day begins with a morning departure from Edinburgh in the support van, heading northwest through central Scotland. After a short comfort stop en route, the journey continues into the Trossachs, where the group arrives in the Highland village of Aberfoyle. Bikes are unloaded and from there, your ride begins—heading along forested trails and lochside roads with open views of Loch Ard and Loch Chon as you approach Loch Katrine. The pace is steady, with plenty of time for photo stops and short breaks throughout the ride.

Midway through, the group arrives at Stronachlachar Pier on the banks of Loch Katrine, where there’s time for an optional Scottish brunch at the café overlooking the water. After refuelling, the route follows the shoreline of Loch Katrine, winding through woodland with occasional open views across the loch. You’ll pass landmarks such as Walter Scott’s Steamboat and the peaceful stretch toward Trossachs Pier, where the ride ends. While you rest, the guide collects the van and returns to pick up the group for the drive back to Edinburgh.

Location

This tour takes place entirely within Trossachs National Park—a region known for its wooded glens, clear lochs and wild landscapes, often described as the true "Gateway to the Highlands". The ride starts in Aberfoyle, about a two-hour drive from Edinburgh, and follows a remote 25-mile route through some of the area’s most scenic cycling territory.

Expect a blend of quiet tarmac roads and lochside paths, with gentle climbs and long downhill sections. The full-day format allows time to enjoy both the ride and the surroundings, and the return transfer makes it accessible without needing to organise your own transport or navigation in the Highlands.

Prerequisites

This is a moderate-level ride suited to cyclists with some experience and a reasonable level of fitness. You’ll be riding for several hours, with a mix of terrain including hills and rolling country roads. While it’s not a technical route, you should feel confident handling a bike over a longer distance.

The tour has a minimum age requirement of 13. All riders must wear a helmet, and anyone choosing an e-bike must be at least 14 years old by law. Bike hire is available if you don’t have your own, and helmets are provided unless you bring your own gear.

Why Choose Us

The team behind these tours specialises in showcasing the variety of Scotland’s landscapes by bike—from urban paths to remote Highland routes. Led by Riccardo, a professionally qualified guide with a background in both mountain and road cycling, your day is shaped by experience, passion and a real eye for scenic routes that balance effort and enjoyment.

Having spent years exploring the trails of Scotland and the European Alps, Riccardo brings more than just navigation—he provides local insight, route flexibility and the kind of attention that comes from guiding groups of all sizes and experience levels. Transport, logistics and planning are all taken care of, so you can simply focus on the ride, the views and a memorable day out in the Highlands.