The best road cycling routes around Gourdon

If you are looking for a coastal walk with stunning views, diverse wildlife and rich history, you might want to visit St Cyrus National Nature Reserve. This reserve is located on the north-east coast of Scotland, between the village of St Cyrus and the North Sea. It has a warm and sunny microclimate, thanks to the shelter provided by the inland cliffs and the sand dunes. You can enjoy the sight of colourful wildflowers, rare butterflies, lizards and birds, as well as explore the remains of an old lifeboat station and a salmon fishing station. The reserve is open all year round and has a visitor centre, toilets and parking facilities

A spectacular waterfall and pool in this hidden den, just off the road. A small path leads from the road down some steps. It can be steep and slippy in places but there is a rope for assistance. Named after Lady Finella who apparently leapt to her death here shortly after assassinating the King of Scotland.

The Stone of Morphie is a three and a half metre high unshaped menhir (standing stone) in the stackyard oth Stone of Morphie farm. It is traditionally said that it marks the grave of a son of Camus who is said to have fallen in the legendary Battle of Barry around 1010 AD. However, this information, including the name Camus, is doubted or refuted by historians.

Fabulous nature reserve. There’s a waterfall at the northern end accessible at low tide.

Inverbervie which means mouth of the River Bervie is a small coastal town on the North Sea coast. It dates to at least the 12th century although it's likely that there was a settlement here for much longer. The harbour was once important but over the years a shingle reef built up offshore and eventually the harbour was abandoned. The town became industrialised in the late 1700's with Flax spinning dominating. By the early 1900's this ended. Today it's a small town with a selection of shops, cafes and pubs. The coast is pretty and it's worth a stop on a bike ride, it's a good distance from Stonehaven in the north or Montrose in the south so works well as a turnaround point.

Arguably the best climb in the area and used in the Tour of Britain. Cairn o' Mount ascends about 330m over 3.4km with an average gradient of 9.7%. The road summit is at 441m, if you decide to get off and walk up to the full summit it's 455m. The road is good in either direction, the final ascent is slightly shorter from the north.

The sand bank and dunes at the seaward side and small cliffs inland create a pocket of warmer and protected habitat. St Cyrus National Nature Reserve is an area of maritime grassland, gorse and sand dune on the east coast of Scotland. It's rich in wildflowers and a haven for insects. There are meadow pipits, stonechat and skylarks as well as a host of sea birds and waders. Native cattle graze between April & October keeping the gorse down and adding manure to the area.

Down by the caravan park there is a good car park for the beach. Here walking along the costal path can be started.