I had a few days out on/around this route last week. Parked Garelochead (station car park - free) and got the 0645 to Fort William, picking up Phil's route there. First ferry (other cyclists nowt to do with me)
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Around towards Glenfinnan and along the back of Loch Shiel on good gravel tracks/road, to Ardnamurchan. As on the video linked above, there's a lovely beach just off route
The trail to Ockle becomes narrow and on/off for 2 Km - I'd be impressed if anyone cleared it all, even on an unloaded MTB. It's certainly no hardship though and the views are (were) amazing. 10 ticks at the end of this day though, so take an extractor or wear long pants. The sign has been replaced since that video
A race to Kilchoan got me on the last ferry to Tobermory (thankfully it was a few minutes late). Chips on the harbour and campsite on the edge of town
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I left Phil's route near Glenmore Castle/Dervaig as I wanted to explore more of Mull, so pedalled around the NW coast. Must go back for the Ben More hills.
Having spent too long on Mull I took the ferry from Craignure to Oban, missing Phil's Loch Linnhe/Appin loop.
Through Taynuilt and up the metalled road to the wind farm past Loch Nant, where I planned to camp. Nothing obviously suitable and ended up leaving the route again at the edge of the forestry and descending towards Lower Fernoch, camping at the first burn where there was a breeze.
Ben Cruachan from Loch an Droighinn, en route to the wind farm.
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Crannogs and a closed road (landslip) added interest to Loch Awe and I joined Phil's route again for a while through Ford. Being on holiday, I wanted to explore the 'old stuff' in Kilmartin Glen/ Dunadd, so carried on down to the road, picking up the Caledonian Way (NCN 78) again, through Dalavish to Kilmartin. Spent a few hours exploring chambered cairns, rock art and hill forts.
Across Moine Mhor to the Crinnan Canal and a resupply in Lochgilphead. Short on time, I missed the Kilmory/Knapdale loop (already knew I'd be back for more around that section, as it's stunning) and stuck to the Caledonian Way on tarmac around to the ferry from Tarbert. It started raining coming off the ferry, which brought the first midges out. Booking.com got me a room in a hotel in Dunoon, so I just pushed on the 40Km to there, for a very welcome hot shower.
From there I followed the WHW550 back to Garelochead, with views of the Cobbler etc making up for the first 5Km of the Three Lochs Way, which is 'aggressively undulating' and a bit chunky.
I rode a gravel bike with 27.5"x1.9" tyres and was pleased I had the extra tyre volume. Also happy to have a 38x46 low gear.
Cheers for the route ideas Phil and I'll definitely be back to do the eastern half and the bits I missed between Mull and Argyll.
) Think of it as an old persons Highland trail!
