Cycle Port Charlotte to Port Askaig
The route starts at Port Charlotte Hostel and follows School Street west out of town, with a nice climb to warm up the legs. After a farm on the right a gravel track climbs gently north After passing a gate the track gets rougher, while it climbs towards steep cliffs and then descends towards Machir Bay. This is one of the most stunning bays/beaches on Islay, so bring time. There is livestock in the fields the track passes, at times a detour is necessary to avoid cows with calves.
After Machir Bay the route joins a small tarmac road to loop around Loch Gorm, before returning to the coast. The alternative to the loop around the loch is to continue straight past Kilchoman Distillery. There is a short section on gravel before joining the road, and shortly before Bridgend the route follows tracks to rejoin the road after the village. In wet conditions staying on the road is advised.
As an alternative a small path runs parallel on the right side of the road too. Shortly after Ballygrant the route follows a small road signposted to Finlaggan, one of the most significant historic sites in Argyll. Shortly afterwards the tarmac turns into gravel, and once you enter the woodland, things get muddy. It’s worth enduring the muddy track, as soon after the woodland the gravel track offers great views to Colonsay & Jura. From Bunnahabhain the route follows the road for a while, and connects through another short section with the road to Caol Ila, and then returns to Port Askaig.