The Five Ferries Cycle Route
A few bike rides in Scotland have become legendary. The Five Ferries Route is one of them. The route makes use of five Calmac ferries and totals almost 72 miles.
Before you start we recommend that you check the ferry times as some ferries are not that frequent. It is a long day so best to start early during the summer months.
It’s recommended that you buy a Cal Mac Hopscotch ticket. Ask Calmac for details.
Overview
Start early from Loch Riddon Bothy.
Turn out of the Bothy and head left towards Colintraive – 3 miles.
First ferry – Colintraive – Rhubodach on the Isle of Bute.
Cycle from Rhubodach to Rothesay – 8.3 miles
Second ferry – Rothesay to Wemyss Bay on the mainland
Cycle from Wemyss Bay to Ardrossan – 18.5 miles
Third ferry – Ardrossan to Brodick on the Isle of Arran
Cycle from Brodick to Lochranza – 14.9 miles
Fouth ferry – Lochranza to Claonaig on the mainland
Cycle from Claonaig to Tarbert – 10.5 miles
Fifth ferry – Tarbert to Portavadie
Cycle from Portavadie to Loch Riddon Bothy – 16 miles
Details of the route
The road climbs up from Loch Riddon Bothy but then there is a long descent into Colintraive. Alternatively you can turn left from the bothy and then take the first right to follow the old coastal route which is more scenic and quieter although there are some gravelly sections.
The first ferry is a two-minute journey to Rhubodach on the Isle of Bute. It’s actually Calmac’s shortest ferry crossing in Scotland.
Cycle a gentle route from Rhubodach to Rothesay, taking in the views as you go. Don’t be fooled by the first bay that you come to as this is Port Bannatyne. Rothesay it still a couple of miles ride away.
The second Ferry is from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay on the mainland.
From Wemyss Bay cycle south to Ardrossan along the busy coastal road.
Ferry number three is from Ardrossan on the mainland to Brodick on the Isle of Arran.
This leg heads from Brodick to Lochranza. At first, the coast road goes north and offers fairly easy cycling but then you hit a long hill starting from Sannox. There’s a rewarding descent into Lochranza. There is a fantastic sandwich shop at Lochranza.
The fourth ferry is from Lochranza to Claonaig on the Kintyre Peninsula.
Jump back on your bike to cycle from Claonaig to Tarbert. There is a small climb north-west out of Claonaig on narrow lanes but little traffic. You rejoin the main road at Kennacraig and coast into Tarbert in a NNW direction.
The final ferry takes you from Tarbert to Portavadie
Looking down on the Kyles of Bute from the National Trust View Point
The next cycle leg has it all: flats, climbs and descents. Portavadie is on the edge of beautiful Loch Fyne and this section of the ride heads north-east for Tighnabruaich on the other side of the peninsula.
From Portavadie the road is up and down until Tighnabruaich then there’s a bit of a climb up to the view point at the Kyles of Bute for some truly stunning views. The descent is fast and then the route follows an undulating but generally flat road back to the Bothy.