Oban to Tayvallich

Cycling the Oban to Tayvallich

The route starts at the CalMac ferry terminal in Oban. Please push your bike along the first section on the footpath past the ferry terminal. The train station is to your right, from where the route follows the Caledonia Way out of town. This route contains sections on and outwidth the National Cycling Network, and is either signposted with the red 78 signs, or a black and white sign with the Caledonia Way symbol. The route climbs on Glencruitten Road out of town, and where after leaving the Caledonia Way descends towards Loch Nell. The route continues on this road until just before Kilmore, and then on towards Musdale.

The road climbs through the valley towards Musdale, and then follows a gravel track on the left eastbound towards Loch Nant. This remote section offers fantastic off-road riding, before an old asphalt road takes you to the shores of the loch and along its southern edge. Shortly afterwards the route follows a logging road to the right through a wind farm. Please take care here and make space for logging trucks if they approach. This ‘gravel highway’ offers great views over Loch Awe and the surrounding forests, before the track descends and joins the Kilmelford - Dalavich road. Dalavich is a great place to stop with a small cafe and shop. 

From Dalavich the route follows the Caledonia Way, passing New York (yes!) to the left. Shortly after a parking area on the left the route continues on a gravel track first, and then joins a walking path amongst tall trees. If this is closed, please continue on the road. Otherwise the trail drops towards the coast and the route continues on a wider gravel track, which climbs steeply back towards the road. Once back on the road, the route continues on the Caledonia Way to Ford. 

Follow the Caledonia Way to a parking space near the ruin of Carnassarie Castle, north of Kilmartin. This area spans 5,000 years with a multitude of cairns, standing stones, carved rock, stone circles, forts and castles and is considered to have one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland. While the path towards the castle ruin is steep and the ground here can get muddy at times, following this off-road section of the Caledonia Way is worth the effort. After Kilmartin the route continues on the road again across Moine Mhor. Depending on the wind direction, this super straight stretch of road can be challenging or enjoyable in equal measure. 

The route leaves the Caledonia Way and follows the road along a short section of the Crinan Canal and the B8025 on to Tayvallich. For more gravel, please follow the forest road towards Leac Na Ban and around the peninsula. The Jura Passenger Ferry runs from Tayvallich to Craighouse on the Isle of Jura between the end of March and end of September. Please book your ticket in advance, bikes travel free. As an alternative you can also get to Jura with Venture West, which operates out of Crinan Harbour, and drops cyclists off at the northern end of the island.