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Isle of Arran Cycling Route
Key Facts
- Location: Firth of Clyde, Scotland
- Size: 43200 ha
- Terrain: Minor road
- Access: Isle of Arran Ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick
- Height gain: 1177 metres
- Map: OS Explorer 361 Isle of Arran
- Starting point: Ferry terminal Brodick
Isle of Arran cycle route summary
This is a roller coaster of a road route that hugs the Arran coastline with two big climbs and quite a few smaller ones too. The Isle of Arran has been described as Scotland in miniature with lowlands to the south, mountains to the north and a spectacular coastline around its whole outer edge and mountain vistas inland. On a good day there are views of the nearby islands of Bute and Cumbrae, the highlands, Ireland, Ailsa Craig and the Ayrshire coast. An abundance of cake stops and scenery makes for a great day’s ride. Most tackle the challenge suing a clockwise route to get the bigger hills pout of the way first, leaving a very welcome stretch back to the ferry to finish the ride.
Leave Brodick, head south and climb through forestry. Drop down past the golf course where there are great views of the Buddhist Holy Island with its high point Mullach Mor. Continue through Lamlash to Kildonan and then onto Blackwaterfoot via a number of smaller hills. The route is then relatively flat along the west coast through to Lochranza for the larger of the island climbs up through Glen Chalmadale. It’s then all downhill from there to Brodick.
There are some great pitstops on the way – see About Arran page; also some fabulous beaches to explore or refresh and take a dip – see the Arran Beaches blog
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