OVERVIEW
One of the biggest UK Gravel Weekends of 2026. Set in the beautiful Cardross Estate, we have three route options for you at the 4th edition of the magnificent Wild Westie:
The Ultra – 394km, one ferry crossing, epic gravel sections around Aberfoyle, the Arrochar Alps & Dunoon. A perfect first ultra with signed routes, regular checkpoints with real food & 2 camping options. You have 60 hours to complete the course!
The Epic – 237km, one day. A monster of a one day course. Starting the day after the Ultra, ride the Aberfoyle side, then ferry crossing over Loch Lomond and remote gravel tracks north.
The Long – 106km of beautiful back roads and gravel round the Lochs & forests of Aberfoyle.
An unmissable weekend with camping available at the Estate. See you there!
RIDE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Famous gravel trails of Loch Ard Forest
- Getting the ferry over Loch Lomond to really make this ride an adventure
- True escapism & incredible views in the wild Arrochar Alps
What to expect
An absolutely epic Ultra route which would be a very tough one day ride, punchy two day ride or an unforgettable three day adventure.
The Epic is quite possibly the toughest one day gravel ride in the UK with 237km & over 4,000m of elevation.
The long route is flowy on smooth gravel – suitable for most riders.
Ride difficulty
The long route stays on the Aberfoyle side of Loch Lomond. The route is rolling throughout with plenty of smaller climbs & descents. There are two main climbs – 1.5km at 6% and a pitchy 6km at 3.5%. This should take 4 to 7hrs.
The epic route is our hardest ride of the year with flowy riding before the ferry crossing, then some long climbs in the Arrochar Alps before a downhill finish for the last 20km.
The Ultra is almost all on smooth gravel and back roads. There are a couple of sections, one on the way to Dunoon and another on the northern section where there is a small amount of hike a bike.
Ultra Route *****
Epic Route *****
Long Route ****
***** Reserved just for our hardest routes. Expect long distance & lots of challenging climbs both on and off road.
**** Typically longer rides with regular climbs which could be both steep & long. Suitable for regular riders with some training.
*** A mix of terrain & elevation. A decent day out with some tricky sections but still suitable for regular riders.
** Some harder sections but suitable for all regular cyclists
* Easy, suitable for all riders. Mostly flat route.
Technical difficulty
Nearly all of the route is off road on some super smooth gravel. On the other side of Loch Lomond, there are a couple of technical sections suited more to experienced off roaders.
On the Ultra, there are two sections of hike a bike, on the Epic there is one section.
Ultra Route ***
Epic Route ***
Long Route **
***** A challenging route suitable only for experienced riders. Expect short hike-a-bike sections, a mix of terrain & loose climbs and descents.
**** Suitable for regular off roaders, the route may contain rockier sections, technical descents etc.
*** A mix of off road conditions with some more difficult sections.
** More typical UK gravel which may be muddy when wet but no challenging sections
* Smooth terrain suitable for all riders.
TYRE & BIKE RECOMMENDATIONS
This route is designed for gravel bikes but you will be fine on a hardtail MTB. We do send out tyre recommendations closer to the time. For the medium route, a standard 35-45mm tyre will be fine. You will want something wider (40-50mm) for the long route.
Included in entry
Fully Signed Route
Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride.
Checkpoints with proper food
An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30-40km
Accurate GPX Files
A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs.
Mechanics Available
At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more.
Rider Support Vans
We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away.
Beer at Finish Line
You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders.
Fully Signed Route
Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride.
Checkpoints with proper food
An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30-35km
Accurate GPX Files
A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs.
Mechanics Available
At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more.
Rider Support Vans
We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away.
Beer at Finish Line
You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders.
EVENT PROGRAM
23rd June: GPX files and pre ride briefing sent by email to each rider.
25th June: 2pm: Ride village & camping in Cardross Estate opens.
26th June: 6.00am – Ultra route starts. You have 60 hours to complete the 394km course!
27th June: 5am: Epic route starts. You have 17 hours to complete the course! 8am to 9am: Long route starts
27th June: to 10pm: Ride village open for finishers of any route.
28th June: 8am to 6pm: Ride village open for finishers of the Ultra.
ROUTE DETAILS
ULTRA ROUTE
Starting at Cardross Estate just outside of Aberfoyle, the route takes you through Loch Ard Forest on some of the best gravel in the UK before taking the ferry across Loch Lomond.
From here we are in the Arrochar Alps with long climbs and glorious scenery before we head down to Dunoon and options for camping or hotels.
After some tough climbs around the peninsula, we head north past Loch Fyne and up to Loch Lyon before heading south on the Badger Divide and all the way home. 60 hours to finish it and 2 camping spots on the way meaning you can do this in 1, 2 or 3 days.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 70%
Distance: 394km
Elevation: 7,350m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
EPIC ROUTE
The hardest one day gravel ride in the UK! You have 16 hours to complete this, leaving at 6am and getting back before sunset at 10pm!
The route follows the Ultra course but doesn’t go down to Dunoon. Expect one short section of hike a bike but mostly smooth, flowy gravel all the way round!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 70%
Distance: 237km
Elevation: 4,100m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
EPIC ROUTE
The hardest one day gravel ride in the UK! You have 16 hours to complete this, leaving at 6am and getting back before sunset at 10pm!
The route follows the Ultra course but doesn’t go down to Dunoon. Expect one short section of hike a bike but mostly smooth, flowy gravel all the way round!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 70%
Distance: 237km
Elevation: 4,1o0m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
LONG ROUTE
A glorious 100km route around the loch’s and forests of Aberfoyle. Suitable for riders of all abilities, there are no technical sections and lots of smooth gravel and super quiet back roads with great views. A perfect first 100km ride in one of the UK’s gravel capitals!
Percentage of Route Off Road: 55%
Distance: 106km
Elevation: 1,750m
Difficulty:
Technical Difficulty:
FAQs
The ride starts and finishes at Cardross Estate, 7 miles from Aberfoyle. There is free parking onsite as well as toilets & refreshments. We will send the ride village address by email.
Yes, you can book your camping spot for tents or campervans at the ride village in the checkout when you book your entry.
Yes, e-bikes are allowed on all Glorious Gravel ride. These must comply with UK law.
We have first aiders & mechanics at the feed stops. There will be a phone number on the back of your ride number – call this if you need collecting.
Make a weekend of it
Aberfoyle is famous as being one of the home’s of gravel cycling in the UK and this weekend offers you all of our favourite sections in the area.
There are hotels in Aberfoyle or book your camping spot at the ride village in Cardross Estate.
Whilst you’re in the area, head out from a hike in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park (start at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre) or slightly further afield go for a cruise on Loch Lomond or visit Stirling Castle (30 mins away).
Make a weekend of it
Aberfoyle is famous as being one of the home’s of gravel cycling in the UK and this weekend offers you all of our favourite sections in the area.
There are hotels in Aberfoyle or book your camping spot at the ride village in Cardross Estate.
Whilst you’re in the area, head out from a hike in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park (start at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre) or slightly further afield go for a cruise on Loch Lomond or visit Stirling Castle (30 mins away).
Packing list
The route takes in some remote sections. We have support vans available but we recommend you are as self sufficient as possible including:
Bike spares
2 x inner tubes suitable for the size of your tyre
If running a tubeless set up, have a tubeless repair kit including plugs and spare sealant.
Multitool | Chain link specific for your bike chain
Small pump | Brake pads (especially in wet conditions)
Personal Medical kit
1 x crepe roll bandage | Gauze or similar absorbent dressing
Assorted plasters | Antiseptic (spray, cream or wipes) | Prescribed medication
