NCN77
| 77 | ||||
| Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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| From: | Dundee (NO405300) | |||
| To: | Ballinluig (NN967517) | |||
| Via: | Perth | |||
| Meets: | NCN1, NCN775, NCN7 | |||
| Primary Destinations | ||||
| Traditional Counties | ||||
| Route outline (key) | ||||
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NCN Route 77 is a cycle route which runs from Dundee to Perth, and on to Ballinluig between Aberfeldy and Pitlochry
Route
Dundee - Perth
Route 77 starts at the northern end of the Tay Road Bridge in Dundee, which is crossed by NCN1 as well as the A92. The cycle route then heads west along the disconnected end of the A85, Dundee Riverside, past the airport. Then at Invergowrie, where the A85 turns away from the coast to meet the A90, the cycle route turns left to continue along the shore of the Firth of Tay. The route generally follows the closest road to the shore,crossing the railway line more than once before reaching the A90 at St Madoes.
After crossing the dual carriageway and doubling back briefly eastwards, the route heads to the hills In order to find the quiet route into Perth. Entering the city along Muirhall Road and Lochie Brae brings the route down to the Tay directly opposite Perth Bridge, which is then crossed. On the western side of the bridge, the route drops down into the North Inches Park.
Perth - Ballinluig
There are a number of routes across the North Inch, but all lead northwards and to the bank of the River Tay. At Inveralmond, the route swings inland, following the River Almond. A local route crosses the old Almond Bridge to head up the A9 to Luncarty. The main route, meanwhile, heads west, up river, snaking along a tree lined path round the back of industrial estates and past a few groups of houses until reaching a footbridge. Across the river, the route follows a road into Almondbank, where it swings north to Pitcairngreen.
A minor road then continues north between high hedges, which occasionally yield to provide views across the surrounding fields to the distant hills. The route crosses the B8063, running parallel to the A9, albeit slightly converging until the route reaches the B867 at Bankfoot. The B867 is followed for its whole length northwards, up hill then under the railway and on to Birnam. A brief run alongside the A9 to Birnam Station requires cyclists to navigate some steps, in order to find an underpass under the A9. Those brave enough to cross the A9, however, can take the old A9 route through Birnam.
After crossing Dunkeld Bridge The route then runs through Dunkeld, before turning through the park back once more to the River Tay. The path here runs through woods, and is quite rough in places, but eventually leads to a footbridge which crosses the river next to the A9. From here the route follows the B898 north along an undulating route to eventually reach the Logierait Bridge, a former railway bridge across the Tay. This is where NCN77 ends, meeting the NCN7, which continues north to Inverness.
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