Long-distance cycle route
Camping on the Great North Trail at Drymen
Cycling UK’s long-distance off-road route comes north out of Glasgow and through Drymen towards Loch Ard Forest, passing our gate on the way.
- Peak District to Cape Wrath
- Off-road bikepacking
- Passes our gate
- Gas on site
The Great North Trail is Cycling UK’s off-road bikepacking route from Middleton Top in the Peak District to Cape Wrath or John o’ Groats, around 800 miles in eight parts. Part 6, the Grampian Mountains, runs 162 miles from Glasgow to Fort Augustus and comes through Drymen, where it leaves the West Highland Way for Loch Ard Forest and Aberfoyle. The mapped route passes the gate of Drymen Camping on Gartness Road.
Where does the Great North Trail pass us?
On Part 6, the Grampian Mountains section, which runs 162 miles (261km) from Glasgow to Fort Augustus. It leaves Glasgow by riverside paths, comes north to Drymen, then leaves the walkers on the West Highland Way behind and heads into Loch Ard Forest towards Aberfoyle, Killin, Rannoch and the Corrieyairack Pass.
Cycling UK grades the stretch from Maryhill to Drymen as blue with a red option, and Drymen to the Falls of Leny as blue. The mapped route runs along Gartness Road past our gate.
What should bikepackers know?
The trail is mostly unsigned, so you need a GPS track or maps, and Part 6 is aimed at experienced riders on mountain bikes. Cycling UK gives the full route as around 800 miles and suggests 16 to 23 days.
If you are flying in, gas is the thing that catches people out. We stock Coleman C300 at reception, so you can collect it on your first night rather than hunting for a stockist in Glasgow.
Staying the night
Pitches from £14 per adult with toilets, hot walk-in showers, charging and wi-fi included, a sheltered cooking area and a shop for TentMeals, snacks and repair kits.
The Cycling UK Great North Trail pages has the full route, maps and the latest diversions. Check it before you set off.
Last updated .
Part 6 of the Great North Trail
Choose a stage to see where it runs. The one nearest Drymen Camping is marked.
- Great North Trail
- National Park
- Water
- Drymen Camping
Stages and distances from the Cycling UK route guide and grades. Route line from the publisher’s official GPX track. National Park boundary from OpenStreetMap. Always follow the waymarks and the official route on the ground.
Cycling UK grades each section but does not publish section distances, so these are measured along its official GPX track. Part 6 runs 162 miles in total.
Other routes from our gate
- Walk
West Highland Way
96 miles (154km)
Right on the trail, where Stage 1 ends and Stage 2 begins. Guides to both: Milngavie to Drymen, and Drymen to Rowardennan.
Read more - Walk
Rob Roy Way
79 miles (127km)
Starts at Drymen Square, about a mile on from our gate. Seven stages to Pitlochry.
Read more - Walk
John Muir Way
134 miles (215km)
Coast to coast, Helensburgh to Dunbar. The cycle route shares the Way past Gartness, a few hundred metres from us.
Read more - Cycle
National Cycle Route 7
547 miles (881km)
Passes our gate on Gartness Road, between Balloch and Aberfoyle. Sunderland to Inverness.
Read more - Walk
Land’s End to John o’ Groats
About 1,200 miles on foot
The End to End. Most walking routes cross Scotland on the West Highland Way, which passes our gate.
Read more - Bikepacking
Badger Divide
About 210 miles (338km)
Gravel route from Glasgow to Inverness. On its first day out of Glasgow it passes about a kilometre from our gate.
Read more
Questions about the Great North Trail
Does the Great North Trail pass Drymen?
Yes. Part 6 of Cycling UK’s Great North Trail, Glasgow to Fort Augustus, comes north through Drymen before heading into Loch Ard Forest. The mapped route passes Drymen Camping on Gartness Road.
Walking the Way this year?
The 2027 season runs from Sunday 14 March, with the last night on Friday 8 October and last check-out on Saturday 9 October.