Just a wee heads up – there are a couple of sections of the John Muir way between Burncrooks Reservoir and Strathblane that are a little less straightforward.
Just as you arrive at Burncrooks from the NW, the path splits, with the JMW heading SW around the reservoir. That path has some very steep, punchy little climbs and corresponding descents. The other option is to take the road round the N side of the reservoir, which has a steep descent and climb just after the fence, but then is much more straightforward.You can opt to turn south onto the new forest road which skirts the east side of Kilmannan reservoir, then runs down the line of the Auldmurroch Burn to Carbeth. Going this way avoids the track from Auchineden, which can be very muddy and badly chopped up by farm traffic.The new forest road isn’t marked on older OS maps.
Both options spit you out at St Mocha’s in Carbeth – a new drive through coffee shop which does great food and drink.
The second section to consider skirting is the ‘Rosie’s Road’ climb up from the east side of Carbeth Loch up towards Boards Farm. It’s relatively short, but quite loose and rough, so might involve a push, especially on a loaded bike. The alternative would be to carry on from Carbeth Loch out and down the B821 towards Blanefield – just short of the village, there’s an old railway line marked on the OS map which is now a wide, well surfaced path which takes you along to rejoin the JMW.
Once you reach the track between Strathblane and Milton of Campsie, you’re on a well surfaced path with a slight downhill gradient most of the way. If you’re in the mood for another coffee, Milton of Campsie has a lovely wee coffee shop called the Fells – when you reach the old station, head up the steps (or the ramp sligtly further on) and head up the main road for about 300m to the junction. The coffee shop is on the corner.
If you have a mechanical – I live in MofC and work from home most days, and have a reasonably well equipped bike workshop.
If any of the above is as clear as mud, bung me an email, and I’ll mark the routes on some screenshot maps for you.