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Kintore 100km Cycle Route
A relatively demanding 100km (62 mile) circular cycle route starting in the historic town, and former Royal Burgh, of Kintore. The route starts adjacent to the River Don, and makes it way south to Royal Deeside taking in climbs on the Slug Road, Garrol and Learney before returning to Donside.
After leaving Kintore the route heads south skirting the Dunecht estate before meandering past Crathes Castle grounds - both worthy of a visit in their own right. Crossing the north Deeside Road the climbing begins with the first part of the Slug Road, immediately followed by the Garrol. There is some respite as you descend past Knockburn Loch, but again the road kicks up as you climb towards the Cairn O'Mount. A right turn at the AA box sets you off towards Finzean and the climb to Monument.
From Monument it is mainly down hill to Potarch bridge, where the climbing starts again leading to Torphins. This makes a good refuelling stop before tackling The Learney. At the top of The Learney head for Millbank and the last climb of the day to Tilliefourie. You are now on home straight with a super 10 mile gradual descent back to Kintore.
Kintore 100km Cycle Route Description
The start and finish point is the newly reopened Kintore Train Station. Check out our page on taking bikes on Scotrail trains if you are considering using the train. Car parking at the station is plentiful, so you should easily find a space.
Leave the station and head into the town. This is a good opportunity to stock up on last minute drinks and snacks. Continue through the town, past the school, and turn right onto the B977, signed Dunecht. Continue on the B977, staying straight on at both roundabouts, until you enter the small village of Dunecht.
A right at the Dunecht Tee junction, followed by a left signed for Echt keeps you on the B977 all the way to Echt. At Echt go straight through the crossroads, again staying on the B977 to pass the popular Hill fo Fare mountain bike trails. Continue to the Tee junction with the B9125, where take a right, signed for Banchory. After a mile take a left signed Hirn to leave the busier road behind. Wind through the lanes to the former corn mill, and one time recodring studio, Mill of Hirn where take a left towards Crathes School. Pass the school, then do a 90 degree left, a 90 degree right and descend past Crathes Castle grounds to the A93, North Deeside Road.
Cross the North Deeside Road onto the A957 Slug Road, one of the ancient "Mounth" passes connecting Angus to Deeside. This is the first climbing test of the route - though you only climb the first half of the Slug Road. Once the road flattens out you take a right at the Blairydryne bridge, signed Knockburn Loch and Strachan.
You now tackle the next significant climb on the route with the 2 mile climb up The Garrol, to Mulloch Wood. If you are looking for a reason to stop at the top, then head into the woods to visit the Nine Stanes Stone Circle - it is only a hundred metres or so from the road.
The descent from The Garrol takes you past the entrance to Knockburn Loch, home to many sporting events through the year including the popular cyclocross race hosted by Deeside Thistle cycle club.
Continue past the Loch to the Tee junction with the B974 Cairn O'Mount road where you take a left signed Fettercairn. For the next couple of miles you are again climbing, albeit gradually, to Glen Dye's iconic, old style AA box, known as Box 753.
At the box take a right onto the Old Military road and descend to cross the Water of Feugh, and join the B976 heading towards Aboyne. This is a welcome flat stretch of road to the hamlet of Finzean, where you veer right and begin the one and a half mile climb to the Birse war memorail. This is a tall cairn inscribed with the names of the men of Birse who lost their lives in World War One and Two.
Descend from the War Memorail, and fight your way up the nasty little kicker in Ballogie before turning right onto the B993 signed Potarch. Enjoy the rolling descent to the Potarch Bridge over the River Dee.
Cross the Potarch Bridge and take a left onto the A93. Within half a mile fork right, signed Tillydrine, for another wee climb up to the junction with the B993.
At the junction with the B993 take a right, signed Torphins, and continue to the cross roads in the centre of Torphins. Go straight across, and prepare yourself for the two mile ascent of The Learney. You can however postpone the climb by stopping for a coffee in one of the cafes in Torphins.
After topping out on the Learney enjoy the short descent to the junction with the B119 where you dog leg across to continue on the B993. A couple of initial small digs give way to a lovely flowing descent into Ordhead.
From here it is a left onto the A944 for the final climb of the day up to Tilliefourie cross roads. It may only be half a mile long, but by now the climbs are starting to tell so it is really a sting in the tail.
At the top of the climb take a right onto the B993, signed Monymusk and Kemnay. From here the next nine miles are a welcome gradual descent which will allow you to up your average speed - if that is your thing? Along the way you will pass Monymusk, and go through Kemnay before turning left, signed Kintore and caravan site, and dropping back into the town beside the Town House (pictured at the top of this page).
After returning to Kintore it is worth exploring the town before heading to the train station. Kintore’s more popular attractions include the Town House, built in the 1740s, and the Kintore Symbol Stone located in the grounds of the church. If you have a little bit more time on your hand then a visit to Hallforest Castle on the outskirts of town is also worth the effort.
Kintore 100k Cycle Route Map, Profile & GPX
Route map for Kintore 100k Cycle Route by Cycle Grampian on plotaroute.com
Facilities on the Route
Lots of parking at Kintore station - including electric vehicle charging points.
No public toilets available at start or on route.
Refuelling avaialable at various cafes on route, including Finzean, Torphins, Monymusk and Kemnay.
Good mobile phone signal throughout.
Cycle repair available in Kintore and Monymusk.
Shops, bars, take aways & cafes in Kintore.
Other Road Routes to Try
The Garioch Route
The 35 mile Garioch Loop leaves from Inverurie station and circumnavigates the areas most famous landmark - Bennachie. En route you pass castles, ancient standing stones and have fine views to the distant Harlaw Monument.
The Hatton Hoop
A 20 mile route starting and finishing at Dyce railway station and passes through the villages of Kinmuck and Hatton of Fintray. There is an option to cut the route short if need be.
Halt for a Malt
A scenic 45 mile cycle route from Huntly to Dufftown, in the heart of Malt Whisky country returning via the charming village of Rhynie.
Insch Leasure Loops
A series of three routes, all less than 10 miles, from Insch that can be tackled individually, or combined to form a more challenging route.
Create Your Own Route
The above route is a great introduction to the super cycling to be had in the area, however you can make it even more interesting by adding to the route or starting in a different place. The maps and guides below, available to order from Amazon, will help you create the perfect cycle route from Kintore, or any of the other towns on the route.
