Glen Artney

We rode the north side on one of Specialized Doug's group rides

More varied terrain, soft and grassy, a wee boggy bit at the top, gravelly descent to where the tracks converge. I wouldn't ride it on the gravel bike just as there's a couple of gates and a ditch crossing to dismount for.

Otherwise very nice, probably a better choice on the MTB unless you're in a hurry.

^ that.

TBF, the road up the south side is scenic and quiet, and it's followed by lots of nice estate track riding back towards Callander.

I'm still of the view that when they *finally* complete the path along the north of Loch Earn it will be one of the finest gravel loops anywhere.

But in the meantime you can make a better loop by climbing back up and over the Braes of Doune windfarm. Start at Callander, Braes of Doune, descend to Braco, coffee and scones at Braco Coffee, up and over Langside Road, Glen Artney, Callander 😎

The northern track is OK, A couple of short boggy bits and a washed out ditch stream you have to clamber across.  I've done it on a gravel bike and it was fine, but I rejoined the southern road by the bridge between Mailerbeg and Dalchruin as beyond this it looked a bit vague.  Seems like less climbing than the tarmac road. If it's been dry for a few days I'd go the track.

But in the meantime you can make a better loop by climbing back up and over the Braes of Doune windfarm. Start at Callander, Braes of Doune, descend to Braco, coffee and scones at Braco Coffee, up and over Langside Road, Glen Artney, Callander

Sorry, no it wasn't, didn't mean to dismiss your suggestion which would indeed be a fine loop! You could even add on Glen Tarken and/or the Maam road before dropping back in to Comrie.

Thanks for the advice

Ended up doing Northern track but cut over at Dalchruin was grand .What a day weather wise.Enjoyable route.

For info went 0n the old railway line  above Lochernhead ,some bits of which have been tarmaced not all of it though, defo better way to go than main road.

Thought I'd resurrect this thread rather than start again. Planning on riding Glen Artney sometime in the next couple of weeks. Seems like it goes either way. Any preferences? And does Braes of Doune make a better loop than Loch Earn?

My preference for Glen Artney is north-south heading for Callander.  If you want less tarmac, do the northern track up Artney from Comrie but cut over to the tarmac road at Dalchruin via the bridge. South-north means a very stiff climb up from Callander! 

I would agree with Pistola, Comrie - Callander certainly gives nicer views in my opinion. Also the opportunity to detour left and descend down to the bridge over the Bracklinn Falls (note this detour requires a short, steep descent on some singletrack hairpins, might be loose and overgrown at this time of year).

Difficult to choose between Braes of Doune and Lochearnhead. If you haven't ridden the loop before, I would argue that the Callander - Lochearnhead section of old railway is too good to miss, and the railway line from Lochearnhead to St Fillans is slowly being upgraded and gives a nice mix, although again there might be a short section closest to Lochearnhead which is a wee bit overgrown.

If starting from Comrie, there is an alternative climb up from St Fillans to pick up the start of the the Glen Artney gravel, it's the route we rode in the video posted above albeit in reverse. This starts with a steep and loose gravel climb, a short but awkward hike-a-bike over a fence and stream and then 2 6ft deer gates to negotiate (one with stile, one without), but then a long and quite remote feeling section of very nice gravel which rejoins with Glen Artney. I would say the awkward fence/stile/deer gates are worth it if you're not on e-bikes etc.

Route below incorporates all of the above.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56139394

Thanks folks. Sounds good. I have done the Callander to Killin path before, but would do it again as it's very cruisy. Think I'll be doing this after a bigger day so keeping it more rideable will be the goal. Cheers!