The best cycling routes around Strathmartine

Strathmartine offers a wide variety of touring cycling routes, with over 190 options available for exploration. These routes cater to different skill levels, including easy, moderate, and difficult rides.

You can expect diverse terrain in Strathmartine. The region is dominated by the Sidlaw Hills, offering challenging ascents with panoramic views and moderate routes on quiet country roads. Alternatively, the Dighty Water features gentler, linear park paths, and you'll find off-road opportunities in woodlands like Balkello Woods and Templeton Woods.

Yes, Strathmartine has routes suitable for beginners. There are 46 easy touring cycling routes available, many of which follow the tranquil paths alongside the Dighty Water, providing a more relaxed cycling experience through parks and nature reserves like Trottick Ponds.

Absolutely. For experienced touring cyclists, there are 51 difficult routes, often found in the Sidlaw Hills. These routes can include significant elevation gains, such as the Backmuir Wood – Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum loop from Birkhill, which features over 480 meters of ascent.

While cycling, you can explore the rolling Sidlaw Hills, offering expansive views, and the serene Dighty Water with its linear park paths. You'll also pass through woodlands like Balkello Woods and Templeton Woods, and can visit natural reserves such as Trottick Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve.

Yes, the region has historical connections. While the original Strathmartine Castle Stone is now in Dundee, routes in the Sidlaw Hills can pass by ancient Iron Age hillforts and castles like Fingask Castle. You can also visit landmarks such as the Syd Scroggie Memorial on Balkello Hill or the Kinpurney Tower.

For breathtaking views, head to the Sidlaw Hills. Craigowl Hill Summit, at 455m, offers 360-degree vistas over Dundee and the Angus Glens. Another excellent viewpoint is the View from Auchterhouse Hill, which is part of routes like the Lundie Loop – View of Auchterhouse Hill loop from Claverhouse.

Yes, the linear park paths alongside the Dighty Water are particularly suitable for family outings, offering gentler, traffic-free options through various parks. These routes provide a relaxed environment away from the more challenging hill climbs.

Many touring cycling routes in Strathmartine are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. Examples include the popular Glamis Village – The Bothy Experience loop from Birkhill and the Lundie Loop loop from Balluderon Stone.

Parking is generally available at various starting points for routes, particularly in and around the villages and near popular trailheads in the Sidlaw Hills. Given its proximity to Dundee, you may also find parking facilities that allow easy access to routes connecting to the city's cycling network.

Strathmartine is located just north of Dundee, which is well-served by public transport. You can often reach starting points for routes by bus from Dundee city centre. Dundee itself is also accessible via train, and many routes can be linked to the city's cycling infrastructure, including the Dundee Green Circular.

The touring cycling routes in Strathmartine are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 180 reviews. More than 2,500 touring cyclists have used komoot to explore the varied terrain, often praising the mix of challenging hill climbs and tranquil paths through woodlands and along the Dighty Water.