Book tip: New gravel travel guide presents Scotland's gravel paradises
Barbara Merz-Weigandt
· 27.05.2025
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With "Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire" adventure author and filmmaker Markus Stitz presents a new guidebook for gravel bike tours through some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes. The book was published on 8 May 2025 by British publisher Vertebrate Publishing and presents 15 selected routes through the Cairngorms National Park, Perthshire and the Angus Glens. The tours cover a range of 14 to 77 kilometres and therefore offer options for gravel fans of all abilities - from easy excursions to challenging day tours.
Detailed information for perfect tour planning
Each of the 15 routes presented is described in detail in the book and supplemented with all the important information for planning and carrying out the route. This includes detailed maps with precise turn-by-turn directions, information on distance, altitude metres and difficulty level as well as an assessment of the terrain. The technical details are supplemented by atmospheric photos of the landscape and local insider tips from the author. The guide lists recommended stops and refreshment stops along the way. Readers will find additional practical information in the appendix. The publisher also provides GPX files for download for each tour.
From the Deeside Way to the Burma Road
The selection of routes ranges from the fast gravel tracks of the Deeside Way and the southern Cairngorms to the iconic Burma Road. The author has also included hidden gems such as Little Glen Shee in the guidebook. Ten of the tours presented can be easily reached by public transport - they start directly at railway stations or bus stops or in their immediate vicinity.
Experienced author with deep ties to the region
Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire" was written by Markus Stitz, a native German who has lived in Scotland since 2009. As the founder of Bikepacking Scotland and co-director of the Cateran Ecomuseum, Stitz is very familiar with the region. In recent years, he has already implemented several projects to develop gravel and bikepacking routes in the area, including the Highland Perthshire Gravel Trails (2020) and Travel for All Our Tomorrows at the Cateran Ecomuseum (2021). He mapped various gravel routes for Cairngorms Connect in 2022.
Practical introduction to gravel biking in Scotland
In addition to the detailed route descriptions, the guide contains a general introduction to gravel biking in Scotland. Among other things, Stitz discusses the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and gives tips on suitable equipment. The author hopes that his book will inspire people to explore the beauty and cultural heritage of the Cairngorms, Perthshire and the Tay Valley by bike. He sees the fact that there are now several publications on the subject of gravel biking as evidence of the growing popularity of this cycling discipline.
Further information
- Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire
- Author: Markus Stitz
- Publisher: Vertebrate Publishing, in English
- ISBN: 978-1839812613
- Publication date: 8 May 2025
- RRP: £15.95 >> available here
- Available: Bookshops, bikepackingscotland.com/books, adventurebooks.com
Barbara Merz-Weigandt
Editor-in-Chief
