Destination: Carron Valley, Nr Stirling
Carron Valley sits between Edinburgh and Glasgow, so mountain bikers have been coming here for years.
The way-marked red route was added in 2006 and there were big plans for further development. Unfortunately politics and planning machinations reared their heads and it never quite happened.
You can read the full sorry tale on the Carron Valley Development Group site. However the red trail is a gem and is well worth a lap or two.
How to get there
From Stirling, join the A872 at junction 9 of the M80 (Stirling Services roundabout).
Follow the A872 south to Denny. At the junction with the A883 in Denny, bear right, staying on the A872. Follow the road for another half kilometre and look for the junction with the B818 on the right, signposted Fintry. Follow the B818 for about 8km. The Carron Valley Car Park is on the left, about 2 km past Carron Bridge.
Sat Nav: FK6 5JL
Facilities
Toilets and parking onsite. Nearest pub is at Carron Bridge which is a couple of miles away.
Trails
The 10.5km red trail is a trail of four parts. First up is Pipedream. This is a gentle but interesting singletrack climb that gains you height without you even noticing.
Next is Eas Dubh which includes the technical and rocky Kelpies Staircase.
You’ve then got the blistering fast, bermed Cannonball Run.
Finally, you hit the orange grade free-ride Runway section.
It’s all rollable for less confident riders but hit it at speed and you’ll fly. Sign posting is really good meaning it’s easy to repeat your favourite sections so, you get a lot of riding out of the 10.5km.
There are also plenty of unmarked trails to explore.
Nearest bike shop
Rock and Road Cycles, Stirling
Other info
Parking is £3 for the day.
At the time of writing the Pipedream section was closed for re-surfacing but was due to re-open in early November. Also, the toilets were closed due to burst pipes.
Useful sites
Carron Valley Trail map (pdf)
Forestry Commission guide to Carron Valley
Carron Valley Development Group
Location Map:
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