Dunoon
TRAVEL GUIDE
Welcome to DUNOON
Dunoon was onced famed for its visitors from Glasgow reaching the town via steamboats navigating the Clyde. The term ‘Steamboats’ referring to being intoxicated apparently originates from the journey made as boat passengers were permitted to drink on route. We like this story anyway!
The town has had its ups and downs with an influx of American troops from the 60’s when a base was set up in Holy Loch to support a Nuclear presence in the UK.
Dunoon has certainly changed since then with a new excitement around the town as future development plans are set to make Dunoon one of the top mountain bike destinations in the UK.
While there’s limited mountain bike trails so far; what’s there is great for advancing intermediate riders and advanced riders. There’s also huge swathes or Gravel riding to be had if you’re looking to get a few extra miles in. We only touched the surface during our visit but you can see why Dunoon get’s its name as being the Gateway to Argyll.
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Essential info
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While the trails here have formed part of the Scottish XC series we’d recommend something a little more aggressive from a slack hardtail or trail bike up to your big hitting enduro. That’s not to say you’d not get around the trails on an entry level bike but you’ll fair much better on some of the more technical trails.
While we’ve not covered Gravel in this post this area is perfectly suited for exploring the KM’s of fireroads and coastal roads.
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Dunoon has a number of cafes and restaurants in the town and while there’s no dedicated cycling or mountain bike facilities this is set to change with the development of a new centre at the foot of the hill.
Just now however there’s some great options dotted along the front as you drive to the West Bay car park, a perfect spot to start your ride from.
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Once a bustling town with Americans there’s some sizable hotels in town as well as the colossal Hunter Quay Holiday Village. This caravan and lodge park has restaurants, a swimming pool, gym and much more. You’ll definitely find something within your budget and close to the town and mountain bike trails.
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We particularly love the route to Dunoon and usually opt for the Ferry Option. Either take the ferry options from Gourock using the Western Ferries car ferry which runs every 20 minutes or jump on as a passenger only and use the Calmac option.
It might be quicker or a similar time depending where you’re coming from in the South/East of Scotland to drive round via the A83 and A815. The scenic drive is certainly worth it.
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For more on the trails and future developments then check out Action Argyll
The Trails
There’s a handful of real gems here which have evolved and grown through the hard work of the locals in the area. Having hosted a number of XC and Enduro events there’s plenty on offer ranging from flowing bermed trails to more challenging rocky and technical descents. As these trails are all hand built and yet to be waymarked the grading is a little varied but roughly falls between a red and a black. There’s some sections of blue to be found on trails such as ‘The Badd”. There’s already over 13km of track to ride and this will only grow.
Blue Trails
BLUES IN DUNOON
While there isn’t a defined blue trail riders can find sections on the trails which would fall under this grading and there’s plenty of fire roads and fun forest paths to use - just be mindful of other users. It’s something the Action Argyll team are looking to address through their wider development.
Red Trails
REDs in Dunoon
There’s definitely sections of trail which could be classed as a red in Dunoon but the current trails have been classified black in most cases. With many steeper and more root strewn sections on the trails it’s easy to see why this is the case. It’s a great place to push your riding though and until there’s way marked trails then ensure you look before you leap.
BLACK Trails
The Badd
The Badd is one of our favourites and features in the film Contour Creative produced for Action Argyll. It’s mellow start is infectiously fun before the gradient drops away and the trails gets a little more challenging. Nothing too difficult but it tests your ability to ride something steep and a little rutted. We’d place this into being a red trail for intermediate riders at the top and bottom with a black section in the middle.
Fiddlers Paradise
Fiddler by name fiddler by nature. This black trail is rocky with roots strewn everywhere making it particularly challenging despite its relatively low gradient. While there’s no gaps or jumps you can get caught out by the rough terrain. Definitely one to work up to.
Burnside
A trail which you have to keep focused on while riding given the close proximity to the burn. It’s been well crafted by the team in Dunoon with effortlessly linked corners giving you a fast and rewarding ride from top to bottom. We’d class much of this trail as a red with some sections of black in there.
T3-2-1
These were the first trails we ever rode in Dunoon and probably the first ‘proper’ trails on the hill. T pays homage to the creator of these and the order in which he built them. Linking between the fireroads this is one of the longest trails on the hill culminating into about 1.2km of track. Big shout out to Thomaz for the graft. This again falls, like the others, into a black track with some red sections in there. The narrow trails, roots and rocks make it hard to class it as a red from top to bottom. We’d definitely recommend you incorporate this trial into your ride if you’re short on time.
ORANGE TRAILS
COming SOON!
With grand plans we’re hoping more trails are only a few years away!
SUPPORT CONTOUR COLLECTIVE
Is it worth the trip?
Absolutely and if you’re in the area there is so much to explore including miles of Gravel and activities for all the family. Dunoon is about to explode in the coming years.
Hear more from the team below:
What the locals say
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
— Stewart, local rider and committed trail builder!
In Summary
Dunoon has proven itself as a race venue in the past and the trails continue to develop. With Action Argyll pushing their development plans and with Greg Minnar involved we’re confident that this place will be the Bike Park Wales of Scotland soon.
Pack a few different bikes, take the family and you’ll definitely not be disappointed with what Dunoon has to offer already.
