The Central Belter is Scotland’s longest off-road bikepacking trail, designed by Capital Trail creator and round the world cyclist Markus Stitz.
Starting and finishing on Portobello Beach in Edinburgh. In a way it has two purposes; first it is a trail that takes people through some of Scotland’s magnificent scenery and historic places, many of which wouldn’t necessarily appear on a ‘normal’ itinerary. It also connects five well-known existing bikepacking routes; the Capital Trail, Reiver Raid, Highland Trail 550, Cairngorms Loop and Deeside Trail. Parts of these trails are included in the Central Belter, but it is by combining all of them that makes it the ultimate bikepacking journey.
The route starts in Edinburgh and runs through East Lothian, before joining the Capital Trail route through the Scottish Borders. From here the trail is a wild roller coaster, through the heart of the Central Belt, to the start of the West Highland Way. Stirling marks the entrance to the Highland section of the Central Belter, passing through Glen Ample, Glen Ogle and the start of the Highland Trail 550. It follows the Highland Trail until the shores of Loch Rannoch, then tracks into the wilderness of the Cairngorms, connecting with the Cairngorms Loop at Gaick Pass.
After passing what is possibly Scotland’s most beautiful glen, Glen Feshie, the route crosses the Grampians, then follows the Angus coast and Fife coast until Lower Largo, where it climbs back into the Lomond Hills near Falkland. The final stretch crosses the Firth of Forth over the Forth Road Bridge, then follows the coast back into Edinburgh to the finish at Portobello Beach.
Read write up of the ride HERE
Route type: Long Distance circular