A Gravel Guide to the Wild Heart of Scotland

Undisputed route-building workhorse, Markus Stitz launches his latest contribution to gravel cycling in Scotland with a brand new guidebook, Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire. Below he gives us a sneak peak, sharing from it three of his favourite routes.

Published by Vertebrate Publishing, Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire, showcases 15 of the finest gravel cycling routes through the Cairngorms National Park, Perthshire, and the Angus Glens in Scotland.

From 14 to 77km in length, the guidebook includes a mix of routes categorised as easy, straightforward and challenging rides across some of Scotland’s most spectacular and remote landscapes. From the fast gravel tracks of the Deeside Way and the Southern Cairngorms to the iconic Burma Road and hidden gems like Little Glen Shee, the book offers something for cyclists of all levels.

In 2016, Markus was the first person to ride around the world on a singlespeed bike. He’s lived in Scotland since 2009, where he’s developed an extensive network of routes. He is the founder Bikepacking Scotland and co-director of the Cateran Ecomuseum.

‘I hope this guidebook inspires people to discover the stunning beauty and rich cultural heritage of the Cairngorms, Perthshire, and the mighty River Tay,’ says Markus. ‘This is a place I’ve come to know intimately by bike, with Alyth now the home of Bikepacking Scotland. The fact that there are now several titles for gravel riding shows the popularity of this segment. The rise in popularity of gravel cycling was also an encouragement to write a book with routes which are more accessible and appeal to a much wider variety of people.’

Sample Routes

Easy: Kindrogan Forest from Kirkmichael

The shortest ride in the book explores Kindrogan Forest, nestled within the Cateran Ecomuseum. Parts of the route follow the Cateran Trail, one of Scotland’s Great Trails. The route overlaps also with the route of the annual Cateran Dirt Dash, a gravel and bikepacking event held in May. 

Despite its modest length, the loop packs in scenic views and rewarding riding. Kirkmichael, a charming village with a welcoming community shop, makes an ideal start and finish point. In late autumn, when morning dew clings to the trails and mist gradually lifts to reveal the sun rising over the Glen Shee mountains, this ride becomes a perfect early morning outing.

Straightforward : Ryvoan Bothy from Aviemore

This ride makes for a fantastic day trip but also serves as a perfect introduction to overnight bikepacking. At its heart lies Ryvoan Bothy, a simple, rustic shelter typical of those scattered across Scotland’s countryside. From here, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of some of the country’s highest mountains. If you’re planning to stay overnight, consider riding during the week or in the off-season. Please respect the Bothy Code. You can find more information here.

Along the route, you’ll pass one of Scotland’s most scenic picnic spots: An Lochan Uaine, the Green Loch. It’s a magical place to pause, relax, and soak in the tranquil beauty of your surroundings. The ride concludes with stunning gravel tracks winding through remnants of ancient Caledonian pine forests, which once blanketed much of Scotland.

Challenging Route - Glen Prosen & Southern Cairngorms from Alyth 

While most visitors are drawn to the northern reaches of the Cairngorms National Park, the southern Angus Glens – Glen Isla, Glen Prosen, Glen Clova, Glen Lethnot, and Glen Esk – remain quieter, yet equally captivating. These glens offer stunning natural beauty, excellent tracks, and quiet roads ideal for cycling. Though they lie not far from the city of Dundee, the area feels wonderfully remote.

The small Highland town of Alyth is surrounded by a wealth of cycling routes for all types of bikes, and home to Forillon, accommodation provided by Bikepacking Scotland, and the annual Cateran Dirt Dash bikepacking event. Kirriemuir, just a short distance away, was home to Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, Sir Hugh Munro—creator of the Munros list—and rock legend Bon Scott of AC/DC.

If you are interested in a signed copy, you can purchase the book directly from Markus at bikepackingscotland.com/books.