• Lochgilphead Argyll Latitude: 56.170641 Longitude: -4.900365

Lochgilphead, Argyll, and adjoining areas have plenty of accommodation with easy to find Hotels, Self-Catering accommodation, Holiday Parks, Caravan Sites and the traditional B&B all offering seasonal discounts; the most expensive periods being during local Festivals, Christmas, and New Year. You will find good holiday bargains during Winter!
The route begins from Lochgilphead and can be pick up at the Crinan Canal towpath at any one of a number of access points along the A816 which approaches the town from the north there is magnificent scenery that cuts through remote country side on quiet roads before returning across a vast area of flat bog land known as the Maine Mlhor.
Follow the popular towpath north with a fairly smooth surface suitable for all but narrow road tyres as far as Cairnbaan, where a series of locks raises the level of the canal, that tops out at 64 metres further along at Dunardry, go through a narrow gap in the wall and turn right onto the road, immediately bearing left to a cycle sign towards Achnabreck.
At a T-.junction there are mountain bike trails in the forest ahead but our circuit goes left to join the A816 Oban road, which you follow fbr about 1.5 kilometres to Bridgend, just before reaching the village, turn right at an unsigned road with an 18-tonne weight restriction to cross the River Add on the lovely old stone bridge.
From here cross the meandering river turning right to follow the sign to Kilmichael Glassary, with cup marked stones and 'keyhole ' carvings which were etched in the bare hillside around 4.000 years ago, their exact meaning is uncertain Continuing past the village, you pedal into more remote countryside, heading along a fine single-track road with standing stones visible in the fields on both sides.
The route is quiet up to Loch Leathan, where a pile of stones in the water is the remains of a crannog.
The route skirts the loch to its west before passing through a gate and continuing across an area of farmland, pass through a few gates and over a cattle grid on your way to a T-junction opposite a white cottage.
This quiet road is the B840 and turning left onto it, you will pass a broken standing stone beside the verge before twisting and turning down to meet the A816 again.
Bear left on this road towards Kilmartin.
You are now on NCN route 78 This Sustrans route which will soon connect Campbeltown in the south with Inverness in the Highlands follows a rougher road section to pass Carnasserie Castle, but you could just fallow the main road as far as Kilmartin if you'd rather avoid it.
If using the signed route, go right to pass the castle car park and up a stony track, turning left before the castle itself and following the unsurfaced road which includes rutted twin-track section through thick undergrowth and muddy stretches.
Follow the wooden marker posts towards Kilmartin, where there is a museum with lots of interesting information about the historic kingdom of Dalriada, here you will find plenty of accommodation with easy to find Hotels, Self-Catering accommodation, Holiday Parks, Caravan Sites and the traditional B&B
The area offers something for everyone – wonderful wildlife, walking, fishing, shooting, horse riding and sightseeing.
Only 10 miles from Invereray and 32 from Oban, there are countless destinations within easy reach.

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