Cycling from Appletree Cottage to DrymenJourney time - 20-25 minutes
This is a lovely quiet cycle ride along peaceful single track roads and a tarmac cycle path.
Starting form the cottage we turned right at the gates onto the main road - a quiet back road forming part of The John Muir Way cycle route running from Dunbar to Helensburgh. Shortly after turning right onto this road we turn right at the cross roads and enjoy the gentle freewheel downhill. At the right hand bend at the bottom of the hill we turn left through the chicane and down onto a section of the former Forth and Clyde Junction Railway.
At the bottom of the railway path there is a gate as we arrive at the main road. In the past this is where the railway crossed the road on a level crossing. Since the tracks were lifted in the early 1960s all that remains of Drymen Station is the red station house on the far side of the road and a corrugated iron goods shed a little further along the path.
Once across the road the path along the old railway is level with a good tarmac surface. Soon we can see the Endrick Water below to the left and right making its steady way down to where it flows into Loch Lomond.
We reach one of the most impressive features on this route - the bridge over the Endrick Water
It is possible to cycle over this bridge (if you have the nerves!) but it is best to check that there is nobody else on it as there is little room to pass - especially with a bike.
There are great views from the bridge...
Once over the bridge there is a very gentle climb - remember we're on a former railway so its nothing serious. This is a pretty wooded section which takes us to an overhead road bridge. The road bridge was actually built wide enough to allow double railway track to pass beneath it but as the Forth and Clyde Junction railway was rather unsuccessful the second track was never installed.
Soon we are on a plateau with fabulous views all around. To the west and north west we can see the lump of Drumgoyne, locally known as the Dumpling as it sits above Gartocharn Village. The Luss hills are impressive in the distance as is the southern end of Loch Lomond.
Our journey continues at high level with open views and hardly any traffic. The quietness of the road contributes to the enjoyment of our travel. The vistas are superb
Very soon we enter Drymen Village. It is the same day as the Balfron Bus Garage annual jamboree so vintage busses are passing through the village. Remember Midland Bluebirds from the 1960s? Once in the village we treat ourselves to a welcome ice cream before returning to Appletree Cottage.
Comments are closed.
|
Archives
April 2023
Categories |