Dundee
Explore the East Coast by Bike: 8 Top Cycle Routes in Dundee
Explore the East Coast by Bike: 8 Top Cycle Routes in Dundee
Easthaven to Arbroath cycle path by Rob Burke under license CC BY-SA 4.0
In this post we highlight some of the best cycling routes in Dundee and the surrounding area, including well-maintained cycle paths and mountain bike trails! If you're looking for a great way to explore Dundee, Scotland, then cycling is the answer! Cycling is a fun, easy, and affordable way to see everything the city has to offer. Plus, with all of the hills and curves on the roads, it's a great workout, too. There are places to rent bikes in Dundee, so you don't have to worry about bringing your own. And if you're not used to cycling, there are plenty of beginner-friendly routes that will help you get comfortable on two wheels. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start exploring Dundee!
You can see the famous Carnoustie Golf Course on the route from Dundee to Arbroath, take in most of the city on the Green Circular Route, or challenge yourself on one of the many mountain bike trails at Comrie Croft!
Cycling in Dundee: The Best Way to Explore the City!
The table above lists all the best cycling routes near Dundee. Click on each name to be taken straight to the part of the blog post for that route.
Take in the sights and sounds of the east coast of Scotland whilst on a bike! Have a look below at the cycle routes listed on the interactive map and click on the buttons below the map for each route, for further information before you travel.
Dundee to Arbroath
The perfect way to enjoy this beautiful area is by following the National Cycle Route 1 from Dundee to Arbroath. You'll start along the Firth of Tay at Broughty Ferry with its striking castle, before heading onto Monifieth where you can go traffic-free through the town of Carnoustie (famous for the Carnoustie Golf Course - one of the hardest courses hosting The British Open on many occasions). Carry on to Arbroath for a scenic cycle well-known to the locals in the area.
National Cycle Route 77 towards Dundee by JThomas under license CC BY-SA 4.0
Dundee to Perth on National Cycle Route 77
Known as 'The Salmon Run', this route starts at the junction (the Tay Bridge) of the National Cycle Route 1 and follows the route westwards along the National Cycle Route 77. The road passes by Dundee train station and the RRS Discovery, which is an awesome visitor attraction that brings you closer to the famous explorer Captain Scott; I recommend checking this out if you have time! The route takes you past Invergowrie and onwards towards Kinnoull Hill on the outskirts of Perth where you'll find spectacular views of the Tay Valley!
The Green Circular
The Green Circular is a 26-mile cycle and walkway that circles Dundee. It passes through areas of parkland, alongside the scenic Firth Of Tay riverfront as well as many other attractions found in this wonderful city! The signposted route is suitable for all types of bikes and is a great way to see most of the city in one day.
MTB: Camperdown Tracks
Climb up this track on the inside perimeter of Camperdown Park to the derelict West Lodge to start your descent. You'll find the scenery in this 400-acre park an enjoyable experience where you'll pass some of the 190 trees represented here. This is one of many popular parks in Dundee that locals enjoy going out into on foot or by bike and is popular all year round!
Balgay Park by Richard Webb under license CC BY-SA 4.0
MTB: Balgay Mountain
Balgay Park is an award-winning park that's easy to get to and within reach of the town centre. The mountain bike trail starts right at the entrance to the park where you join the loop via the off-road path next to the yew bushes. Click on the button for further information on the trail to follow.
MTB: Dirty Haughs
The Dirty Haughs mountain bike trail through low-lying parkland beside Dighty Burn is an attractive, mostly tarmac-surfaced route. There are several tracks here with some of the informal tracks being more challenging and suited to experienced riders. Found next to Monifieth High School, the track is 3km in length.
MTB: Comrie Croft
The trails at Comrie Croft are a great place for all levels of rider. Whether you want to challenge yourself on red and black graded singletracks or just enjoy some adventurous bike fun, there's something here that will suit your needs! Located around an hour's drive from Dundee, there are plenty of trails here to keep you occupied for an afternoon.
MTB: Deuchny Hill
If you’re looking for a place where your skills will be put to the test and you can improve your bike skills through session training, Deuchny's Bike Park has everything you need. The rest of this forest offers some great tracks that cross-country riders can explore; linking them together provides a varied supply of route options!
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have shared some of the best cycle routes in Dundee. To find out more about things to do in this area, click on the links below:
Please note...
All outdoor activities including cycling involve a degree of risk. The routes are recommended due to the well known features of each route but this may change over time and further research is required before undertaking any activity. The weather can also impact the surface and general conditions of each route so please keep yourself updated with the weather forecast before setting off to enjoy your cycle!
Crown Copyright, courtesy Forestry and Land Scotland (16/08/22) licensed under the Open Government License.