Tayvallich bike routes
discover stunning cycle trails - off the beaten track
You may have your own route in mind, or simply want to tootle around the village - but if you are looking for some inspiration here are a few options. Most of our routes start and finish at the Tayvallich Shop, making it easy to grab supplies before setting off on your journey. Each offers a unique experience, from gentle rides with scenic views to more adventurous mountain biking trails.
All of our routes are downloadable as GPX files for use with your preferred navigation tool or app.
Keills Chapel, with extension to Danna Causeway
Distance: 23 km | Elevation: 143 m
A scenic and mostly flat route that leads to a stunning viewpoint across the Sound of Jura. Visit Keills Chapel to see the impressive collection of carved stones. Bring your swimming gear or binoculars/camera for wildlife spotting and enjoy a while at the jetty.
Consider breaking up the route with a walk down to “The Puddle” – another great spot for wildlife. You might see deer, red squirrels, otters, or even a sea eagle!
Points of interest:
Start/Finish at Tayvallich
Path to The Puddle
Kiells Chapel
Kiells Jetty
The Isle of Danna
Distance: 11 km | Elevation: 145 m
Explore the majestic oak woodlands of the Taynish National Nature Reserve, on the South edge of Tayvallich village. Cycle the track down the peninsula to the picnic bench at the end on the shores of the Linne Mhuirich.
The peninsula’s peaceful oak woodlands are interspersed with grassland glades, heath, saltmarsh and shoreline. Trees have stood here for more than 6,000 years. A magical mosaic of mosses and lichens drapes from the trees and carpets the ground. You might see roe deer, red squirrels and otters. Butterflies, beetles, dragonflies and moths flourish in flower-rich grasslands.
Points of interest:
Start/Finish at Tayvallich
Picnic bench and wildlife hide
The Old Mill which is a beutiful spot for a picnic, just a short out-and-back from the main route
Taynish Nature Reserve
Crinan Canal
Distance: 28 km | Elevation: 61 m
One of the best and most beautiful canal cycle paths in the country. A Leisurely way to see the Crinan Canal from end to end (9 miles each way) and beyond. Bikes can be delivered to & collected from either end of the canal to suit your plans at additional cost.
Points of interest:
The Egg Shed at Ardrishaig is full of information about the Canal and its long history
Crinan Hotel at Crinan basin is great for food and drink
Polly’s Coffee Stop - a pop up coffee shop full of delivious treats, usually at Lock 10. https://www.facebook.com/Pollyscoffee/
Venture West - Boat trips from Crinan harbour to see the Corryvreckan whirlpool and local wildlife up close! https://venture-west.co.uk/
Dounie / Ardnoe Loop
Distance: 22 km | Elevation: 412 m
A challenging but very rewarding mountain bike route taking in forest tracks with incredible viewpoints and returning to Tayvallich along the public road.
Points of interest:
Start/Finish at Tayvallich
Forest tracks and mountain biking to viewpoints
There is an option to add a hike up to the Dounie Fort - might be best to leave the bikes at the bottom of the short steep out-and-back
Faery Isles and Starfish Bay
Distance: 10 km | Elevation: 186 m
A great cycle along quiet forestry roads down to Starfish bay at the end of the Oib peninsula. There is lots of history here with interesting ruins at Kilmory Oib and the Kilmory Mill. Lots of scope for wildlife at the mud flats of the Faery Isles
Points of interest:
Start/Finish at the FLS car park for Loch Coille Bharr
Kilmory Oib ruined village including standing stones
Faery Isles muddy bay and islands
Starfish bay views out to Loch Sween and picnic bench