January 9, 2026 - Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, the latest guidebook from adventure writer and filmmaker Markus Stitz showcases 15 of the finest gravel cycling routes through the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Argyll in Scotland. Published by Vertebrate Publishing, the book will be released on 15 January 2026.
Covering routes from 15 to 79 kilometres in length, plus a 177-kilometre bonus route, the guidebook includes a mix of easy, straightforward and challenging rides across some of Scotland’s most spectacular and remote landscapes. Readers can immerse themselves in the Gravelfoyle trails around Aberfoyle, the heart of Scottish gravel riding, sample sections of the West Highland Way and John Muir Way, two of Scotland’s Great Trails; and take on coastal adventures on Mull, while scanning the skies for Scotland’s eagles. The bonus route, a coast-to-coast challenge, takes riders from the Firth of Forth across the Central Belt into the national park.
Each route features:
• Ordnance Survey maps and turn-by-turn directions
• Distance, ascent, terrain information, and difficulty grading
• Stunning photography and local insights
• Recommended stops and services
• A detailed appendix and downloadable GPX files
Markus Stitz, the German-born founder of Bikepacking Scotland, has lived in Scotland since 2009 and has deep ties to the region through his route development work for Wild About Argyll. He is also the director of Dirt Dash events, and creator of one of Scotland’s longest running gravel bikepacking events, the Dunoon Dirt Dash.
“Argyll was where I first set foot back in Scotland after cycling 34,000km around the world. In 2017, shortly after returning, I met Carron Tobin of Wild About Argyll, who put her trust in me and gave me the opportunity to develop the Wild About Argyll Trail—Scotland’s first long-distance gravel trail. That collaboration shaped much of my early work through Bikepacking Scotland, from gravel routes linking stations on ScotRail’s Highland Explorer line between Glasgow and Oban to later projects exploring the boundary of Argyll alongside Mark Beaumont and Jenny Graham.
In 2019, we brought the Dunoon Dirt Dash to life, connecting like-minded bikepackers from around the world. In 2024, I was invited back by Jim Riach of Trust in the Park to explore the people of the national park and their connection with cycling in my film Gateways. That experience proved to be the final spark for this book. I hope my fourth solo guidebook will inspire readers to explore Argyll and connect with the people who call this part of Scotland home. My advice: travel slow and stop often—there is much to see here.”
The book also includes an introduction to gravel riding in Scotland, covering the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, bike and kit advice. Eleven of the routes are directly accessible by train or bike-friendly bus services like Ember – supporting low-carbon travel choices.
Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs is published on 15 January and is available in all good bookshops and here. Signed copies can be ordered directly from the author here.
Title: Gravel Rides Loch Lomond & The Trossachs: 15 gravel bike adventures in & around Scotland’s first national park & Argyll
Publisher: Vertebrate Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1839812798
Release Date: 15 January 2025
RRP: £15.95
Available at: Bookshops nationwide, bikepackingscotland.com/books, and adventurebooks.com
