The best cycling routes around Dundee

Komoot currently features 8 touring cycling routes around Dundee, catering to various skill levels. You'll find a good mix, with 4 easy routes, 3 moderate, and 1 more challenging option.

The Dundee Green Circular is a well-known 26-mile (42 km) leisurely loop that circumnavigates the city, largely on shared-use paths. It's suitable for all standard bikes and offers a sightseeing journey through parklands, riverfronts, and woodlands.

Yes, the Dundee Green Circular is largely on shared-use paths, making it suitable for families. Its leisurely pace and varied scenery through parks and along the riverfront provide an enjoyable experience for all ages. Additionally, the flat, quiet roads of the Carse of Gowrie, connecting areas like Invergowrie and Errol, are ideal for easy cycling with family.

Dundee offers diverse landscapes, from urban exploration to scenic natural beauty. You'll encounter prominent natural landmarks like Dundee Law, an extinct volcano offering panoramic views, and the expansive River Tay and Firth of Tay. Green spaces such as Camperdown Country Park and Templeton Woods provide varied terrain. Further afield, you can enjoy views towards the Scottish Highlands, the lowlands of Perthshire, and the impressive panorama of the Grampians.

Cycling routes in Dundee often pass by significant attractions. The Green Circular, for example, goes by the V&A Dundee, RRS Discovery, Dundee Botanic Gardens, Broughty Ferry Beach, Broughty Castle, and the Port of Dundee. Other historical points of interest include the 7 Arches Viaduct, Finlathen Aqueduct, and Camperdown House. You can also explore parks like Baxter Park, Caird Park, Dawson Park, and Lochee Park.

Yes, the River Tay Way is a newer long-distance active travel route spanning 104 km (64 miles) for cycling, following National Cycle Network (NCN) Routes 7 and 77 between Kenmore and Dundee. NCN Route 1 also leads over the Tay Road Bridge to Tentsmuir Forest and St Andrews along the Fife Coastal route, offering opportunities to extend your tour.

The touring cycling routes in Dundee are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.2 stars from over 30 reviews. Cyclists often praise the diverse terrain, from riverfront paths to woodland trails and urban routes, and the variety of options suitable for different ability levels.

Absolutely. The River Tay is a central feature of the region, and many routes offer stunning views. The Dundee Green Circular includes riverfront sections, and the River Tay Way is specifically designed to follow the river, providing extensive views over the Tay Estuary, where dolphins and seals can often be spotted.

While this guide focuses on touring cycling, Dundee does offer options for more adventurous riders. Specifically built mountain bike trails with challenges like steps, drops, jumps, and rock obstacles can be found in the area, such as those in Templeton Woods, for those seeking a different kind of ride.

Dundee is well-equipped for cyclists, with active travel hubs and readily available cycle maps. For specific information on public transport access to routes or parking facilities, it's best to consult local council resources. You can find useful information regarding outdoor access, including cycling, on the Dundee City Council website: dundeecity.gov.uk.

While specific weather conditions vary, the spring and summer months (April to September) generally offer the most favorable weather for touring cycling in Dundee, with milder temperatures and longer daylight hours. Autumn can also be beautiful with changing foliage, though weather can be more unpredictable.

Yes, if you venture east from Dundee, the Angus Coastal route offers scenic paths past Monifieth to Carnoustie, Easthaven, and Arbroath, providing beautiful coastal views. Additionally, NCN Route 1 leading over the Tay Road Bridge towards Tentsmuir Forest and St Andrews follows the Fife Coastal route, offering more seaside cycling opportunities.