Question: is the track at the end of the road from Glen Artney to Callander CX able?

Apolz for the obscure question! I’ll be staying in Comrie and want to do the Glen Finglas loop from Phil Kane’s vol.1 Wild Trails Scotland.

In the summer yeah you could, but gets boggy in the winter. Used to ride over from Muthill and make a loop back via Glen Ample and Loch Earn.

Excellent response time, thanks very much!

It’s next weekend so despite recent rain the preceding baked dry spell should see me alright!

There is an obvious rutted track pretty much most the way. I think there’s a load of wind turbines up now.

You may have a river crossing on the Keltie Burn. Last time I was there the bridge had been washed away.

The river crossing at Arivurichardich is almost always possible dryshod.

Remember to say “Ni” on the way past the Keltie Water.

Yes – I’ve done the track many times on a touring bike with 30c tyres.

The river crossing can be deep after heavy rain – I’ve done it thigh-deep, but after a dry spell you can get across with dry socks.

Photos:
https://plus.google.com/photos/112339208260728332643/albums/5100477771477447729

Glen Finglas is a cracker but you might struggle on narrow tyres though, but I’ve not done it for years. Have also climbed up to Glen Finglas from the Balquhidder side.

Do stop into Square Wheels in Callander to say “Hi” to Pete,

Me again!

Here’s a route report from many years ago on Glen Finglas / Glen Ample.
http://www.stirlingbikeclub.org.uk/ride/mtb/glen_finglas_240803.shtml

This would allow you to link Glen Finglas – Gleann Dubh – Balquhidder (the Old Library Tearoom is no more) – NCN7 to Lochearnhead – minor road at South Loch Earn (the Lochearnhead sailing centre does excellent coffee/bacon rolls) – Comrie

(Glen Ample has been resurfaced and fallen into disrepair since this report so no idea what it’s like now)

And there’s a recent report of Glen Finglas from the people at StirlingCycleHub here: http://www.stirlingcyclehub.org/blog/108-have-you-heard-of-glen-finglas2

It’s one route I’ve considered for a CX ride especially since they ‘cleaned up’ Glen Ample.

Haven’t Square Wheels have opened up a branch in Callander..? Always thought that area was itching for a reasonable bike shop.

The Square Wheels in Callander is a branch of “Wheels Cycling Centre” / “Wheels of Callander”, which is a mile or so outside Callander and is an ace shop with a massive stock.

http://www.scottish-cycling.com/

They also run various bike hire places under the “Wheelz” name http://www.katrinewheelz.co.uk/

Just to top and tail this thread for future readers, Glen Artney-Callander is perfectly fine for a cx bike despite recent heavy rain, although a mtb is naturally faster on the purely off-road section.

The Glen Finglas loop from Wild Trails vol.1 is great on a cx bike, the only issue being that one is obliged by the continuous steep ramps to repeatedly beast it to the extent that you don’t get the opportunity to enjoy the scenery. The brief and rare glimpses were stunning, but no opportunity to cruise.

I had planned to go up Glen Ample but teh multitude of highland cows and calfs made me think the better of it so I took a detour up Loch Lubnaig.