Explore the fairytale landscapes of the Scottish Highlands on two wheels. This week-long adventure takes you along the famous North Coast 500 route, allowing you to explore the scenic northern parts of the country. Pedal through vast stretches of emerald-green wilderness, where majestic peaks emerge from the swirling mist—before following remote lochside paths, where enchanting islands dot the glistening waters. With each turn, prepare to be spellbound by new spectacles, from the serene heather-clad shores teeming with dolphins and dramatic vistas of Skye’s rugged mountains to medieval castles steeped in legends and thrilling hairpin bends of the iconic Bealach na Bà. And after a day in the saddle, unwind with a glass of Scotch whisky—eagerly anticipating the adventure that awaits you tomorrow.
Quiet single-track roads for miles on end, with breathtaking views of the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye
Cross the iconic, winding Bealach na Bà, renowned as the greatest road ascent in the UK
Indulge in delicious seafood, explore picture-perfect villages, and get some scotch after a day in the saddle
Join an 8-day cycling holiday in the Scottish Highlands. Starting in Inverness, ride along picturesque coastal roads, part of the iconic North Coast 500 route. Marvel at the captivating views of Loch Shin and Loch Assynt, savor delectable seafood in Lochinver, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Ullapool. Experience the Bealach Na Ba route, soak in breathtaking vistas of the Isle of Skye, and enjoy comfortable cyclist-friendly accommodations. Conclude your adventure where it started—in Inverness—and leave richer for a memorable cycling trip showcasing the best of Scotland.
Upon your arrival in Inverness, your Sctoland cycling guide will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation near the vibrant city center. For those driving, accommodation details will be provided in advance. Afternoon arrivals are recommended to allow bike setup time. The rest of the day is free to explore Inverness, known for its impressive castle, old town, and scenic coastal walks. In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner with fellow adventurers, discussing the thrilling journey ahead.
Your journey starts gently, leaving Inverness via the famous Kessock Bridge into the Black Isle. Enjoy a scenic ride along the picturesque northern shore of the Beauly Firth, often spotting dolphins and seals. Heading inland, you reach Dingwall, the gateway to the Cromarty Firth. A quiet backroad takes you over the day’s significant climb, crossing the hills of Easter Ross. Delight in a lunch break at Bonar Bridge near the Dornoch Firth. Continuing north, explore off the main road, captivated by the area’s beauty. Pass by Shin Falls and traverse forested single-lane roads until you arrive at Lairg, located on the southern tip of Loch Shin.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Riding: 56 miles / 90 km
Ascent: 700 m / 2,296 ft
After a hearty breakfast, head north briefly before turning sharply to the wild west coast of Scotland. Ride along quiet single-lane roads, enjoying Loch Shin’s shoreline and the scenic Glen of Allt Ceann Locha. Reach the sheltered Laxford Bay and continue south along a rocky and undulating shoreline. Pass through tiny villages, experiencing the captivating coastal road with breaks to admire views of the Hebrides. Beyond Kylestrome and Kylesku, face a challenging ascent before descending swiftly by Loch Assynt. Enjoy a mostly downhill road to Lochinver, renowned for its delectable seafood.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Riding: 71 miles / 115 km
Ascent: 1,300 m / 4,265 ft
Today’s shorter ride offers an unforgettable experience with the dramatic Suilven peak to the east. Departing Lochinver, you’ll encounter sharp little climbs. After 15 miles south, change direction and head west to explore a remote coastal peninsula, enjoying empty roads and stunning coastal panoramas, including views of the Summer Isles. Rejoin the main route at Loch Lurgainn and continue south, passing through the charming village of Ardmair and its beautiful bay. Reach Ullapool, a bustling town on Loch Broom’s shore, where you can immerse yourself in west coast culture and observe the fishing boats and ferries in the harbor.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Riding: 46 miles / 74 km
Ascent: 1,050 m / 3,445 ft
Day 5 is the longest day of the tour with a focus on exploring the mountains of Wester Ross. Ride on quiet Highland routes, climbing gently to the highest point and descending to Little Loch Broom. Experience ups and downs along the scenic coastline, stopping for a relaxing lunch at Poolewe with a chance to explore Inverewe’s botanic gardens. Enjoy breathtaking views of nature reserves and islands while riding along Loch Maree. The day ends in Kinlochewe, surrounded by the majestic Wester Ross National Scenic Area.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Riding: 75 miles / 120 km
Ascent: 1,500 m / 4,921 ft
Embark on an epic stage with one of the most iconic climbs. Ride gently along Glen Torridon, enjoying the stunning view of Loch Torridon. Encounter manageable challenges with undulating ascents for the next 30 miles. Stop at the charming fishing village of Shieldaig and admire the surroundings, perhaps spotting a sea eagle. Continue along a narrow single-lane road around the Rubha na Fearn peninsula to reach Applecross, where the Bealach Na Ba climb awaits. Conquer this challenging road climb and reach the summit at 2,053 ft (626 m) for breathtaking views of the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. Descend carefully to Loch Kishorn and make a final effort over the hills to reach Lochcarron, your evening destination.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Riding: 60 miles / 96 km
Ascent: 1,700 m / 5,577 ft
Although it’s the final day of riding, there’s still plenty in store as you traverse from the west coast of Scotland to the east coast. Leaving the shores of Lochcarron, you bid farewell to the mountains of the west and embark on somewhat gentler roads compared to recent days. As you enter Glen Carron and the watershed around Achnasheen Junction, most of the climbing is completed within the first 20 miles. The remainder of the day consists of rolling terrain, predominantly downhill, through small rural towns and past picturesque minor lochs. You’ll journey back to the Beauly Firth and eventually return to Inverness for your final evening.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Riding: 65 miles / 104 km
Ascent: 750 m / 2,461 ft
After breakfast, bid a farewell to your companions who are driving home, while transfers to Inverness train station and airport will be arranged for the rest of the group. Say goodbye to your Scotland cycling guide, fellow riders and to Scotland—or continue touring on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
To fully enjoy this Scotland guided cycling adventure, a good level of fitness is essential. During this Scotland guided cycling tour, you’ll be covering between 45 and 75 miles (72-120 km) daily, with daily cumulative elevation gain between 3,000 and 5,580 ft (700-1,700 m). Needless to say, you should be more than just a casual rider, going for regular weekend cycling sessions with riding that can last for much of the day. Uphill challenges and easier mountain passes excite you, and you’re equally comfortable descending as you are climbing. While not a professional racer, you can pick up the pace when needed and can skip occasional coffee breaks to stay on schedule. You’re adept at using clipless pedals, maintaining control of your bike effortlessly. Though you appreciate a full day of riding, you also crave local cultural experiences and savoring delicious cuisine.
Keep in mind that you will always have a guide by your side who will observe your technique, make breaks more often if necessary and even change the route if riding gets too strenuous for your group.
If you’re looking for something more challenging and are interested in MTB, take a look at this mountain biking adventure in Scotland.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
During your Scotland guided cycling trip, you can expect comfortable accommodation in good quality 3 or 4-star hotels, B&Bs, inns, and family-run guesthouses.
These establishments are cycle-friendly and conveniently located near the cycling route, showcasing the style and hospitality of the area you’ll be visiting. Locally owned businesses are prioritized, with an emphasis on offering locally sourced food, drink, and specialty products. This commitment to sustainability aligns with a responsible travel policy.
Accommodations are based on a double/twin-share basis, with the option for single occupancy rooms available for an additional fee and subject to availability at the time of booking.
If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own, road bikes are available for rent.
The rental fleet includes high-quality, full carbon Giant Revolt / Liv Devote bikes with good quality components. These bikes are set up tubeless on road-specific wheels and 700x28c tires, providing a comfortable riding position and a wide range of gears with a 2×11 drivetrain, 32/48 chainrings, and an 11×34 cassette. They are fitted with hydraulic disc brakes.
If you decide to rent and would like a helmet, please let us know at the time of booking. Otherwise, you should transport and assemble your own bike before the beginning of the tour. Additionally, inform us if you plan on bringing your own clip-in pedals or if you will use the flat pedals that come with our rental bikes.
Group sizes and prices:
Mountain biking in the Scottish Highlands can be arranged for bigger and for private groups (with custom dates). Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Inverness, the starting point of this tour, most people fly into Glasgow International Airport. From here, we suggest you either take another flight, or take a train ride to Inverness from Glasgow Queen Street station.
Your guide will meet you either at the airport or the train station in Inverness and take you to your accommodation not far from the city center. If you’re driving, the exact location will be sent to you prior to the trip.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Scottish Highlands, please refer to the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 updates.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
Secure your place with a $230 deposit due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
