Land's End to John O'Groats Explorer

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival Penzance/Land's End

   You will be met on arrival and transferred to the coastal town of Land’s End where you will spend your first evening. For anyone wishing to arrive by car, accommodation details will be provided in advance of the departure date (please note that you will not be transferred back to Land’s End at the end of the tour).
   
   A midday/early afternoon arrival will be necessary in order to allow enough time for the group to transfer to Land’s End and for those bringing their own bikes to rebuild them.  This time will also be used to make sure that anyone renting a bike is fitted to one of appropriate size with any necessary adjustments made.
   
   The rest of the day is yours to relax before the evening when you will eat out as a group in the hotel restaurant, an opportunity to get to know the rest of the party and to discuss the programme with your guides.
   
   

   • Comfortable Lodgings
2. Day 2Land's End to Truro

   You’ll start the journey heading along the coast from Land’s End to Penzance, before heading inland to test your navigational skills through the Cornish country lanes.
   
   You'll finish in Truro, one of the smallest cities in England, where you will be staying tonight.
   

   • 39.8 miles
   • 3,280.8 ft
     3,280.8 ft
   • Comfortable Lodgings
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Truro to Launceston

   Make sure that you have a hearty breakfast today – the route is longer than yesterday’s and it’s a hilly one! A few miles into your second day in the saddle sees you riding along an incredibly beautiful stretch of south west England’s countryside. Onwards and upwards (and of course occasionally downwards!) through Wadebridge you will tick off your first hundred miles! From here you'll ride inland, towards the small town of Launceston where you'll spend the evening.
   

   • 55.3 miles
   • 4,429.1 ft
     4,429.1 ft
   • Comfortable Lodgings
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Launceston to Tiverton

   Today is spent cycling through lovely countryside and small villages as you wind your way to your destination for the evening, the town of Tiverton, wonderfully positioned on the River Exe.
   
   

   • 54.1 miles
   • 4,101 ft
     4,101 ft
   • Comfortable Lodgings
   • Breakfast and Lunch
5. Day 5Tiverton to Cheddar

   Your last day of traversing cross country before you start chomping your way north. Travelling through the vale of Taunton and Deane you'll pass over the flat lands, from where you can spot in the distance the imposing and infamous Glastonbury Tor. From here it’s on to the large village of Cheddar on the edge of the Somerset Levels.
   
   
   

   • 62.8 miles
   • 3,444.9 ft
     3,444.9 ft
   • Comfortable Lodgings
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Cheddar to Tintern / Clearwell

   Today you'll head north via the outstanding Cheddar Gorge to the city of Bristol. Here you can take a number of routes through or round Bristol and across the River Severn, and up the Wye Valley passing the wonderful Tintern Abbey on the Welsh border enroute to Tintern or Clearwell, where you will stay for the evening.
   

   • 47.8 miles
   • 3,937 ft
     3,937 ft
   • Comfortable Lodgings
   • Breakfast and Lunch
7. Day 7Tintern / Clearwell to Worcester

   From Clearwell or Tintern you'll pass through the picturesque and unspoilt Forest of Dean. After a few stiff climbs, you'll skirt the River Severn, then travel east of the Malvern Hills and on to Worcester, with its iconic cathedral.
   
   

   • 57.2 miles
   • 3,280.8 ft
     3,280.8 ft
   • Comfortable Lodgings
   • Breakfast
8. Day 8Worcester to Ironbridge

   Today is a relatively short ride following the River Severn north and passing through the old towns of Bewedly (stopping for a rest and a coffee down by the river) and Bridgenorth – time for further sustenance! You'll pass through the small town of Much Wenlock, the place famous for the origins of the modern Olympic Games (the London 2012 Olympic mascot was called Wenlock!) Your destination for the day is the ‘birthplace of the industrial revolution’ – Ironbridge.
   
   

   • 46 miles
   • 3,444.9 ft
     3,444.9 ft
   • Comfortable Lodgings
   • Breakfast and Lunch
9. Day 9Ironbridge to Hartford

   You'll start by climbing out of Ironbridge, passing the Wrekin and along the line of the Shropshire Union canal. You'll pass through Nantwich and Winsford to your overnight accommodation in Hartford.
   

   • 54.1 miles
   • 2,624.7 ft
     2,624.7 ft
   • Comfortable Lodgings
   • Breakfast
10. Day 10Hartford to Mellor

    Today is a dramatic change in scenery as you pass through some of the more urban and industrial areas of England. This is in great contrast to what lies before you on this epic cycle ride.
    
    

    • 49.7 miles
    • 2,624.7 ft
      2,624.7 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Lunch
11. Day 11Mellor to Kirkby Lonsdale / Casterton

    You'll break free of the urban areas and head for the stunning open moorland and fells of the Trough of Bowland around Slaidburn and Ingleton (you are approximately halfway through the entire trip now!). You'll then descend to the beautiful town of Kirkby Lonsdale for a relaxing afternoon stop before passing over ‘Devil’s Bridge’ to get to your accommodation.
    
    
    

    • 44.7 miles
    • 3,937 ft
      3,937 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast
12. Day 12Kirkby Lonsdale / Casterton to Talkin / Hallbankgate

    A stunning ride through unspoilt towns and villages of the fells. Alongside rushing rivers and rolling hills you'll head for Talkin or Hallbankgate, near Brampton, and your quiet overnight stay.
    
    

    • 59.7 miles
    • 5,085.3 ft
      5,085.3 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Lunch
13. Day 13Talkin / Hallbankgate to Cardrona

    One of the most rewarding day’s cycling of the trip, over hills, through valleys and forests giving stunning ascents and the bliss of some awesome downhills, before you arrive at the resting place in Cardrona for the night and the following day.
    
    

    • 75.8 miles
    • 5,905.5 ft
      5,905.5 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast
14. Day 14Rest Day: Cardrona

    Some time to relax and take in the views or perhaps wander around Cardrona and its surrounding countryside. The more adventurous may want to visit either the Innerleithen or Glentress mountain bike centres, or maybe you just fancy a walk alongside the River Tweed. Peebles is a bustling border town with good shopping opportunities for souvenirs. Staying 2 nights here presents a great opportunity for catching up on laundry and also allows the crew to spend a little time caring for the bikes.
    
    

    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast
15. Day 15Cardrona to Kinross

    Today you'll travel onwards, through the country borders and onwards to Edinburgh. You'll cycle through the city, stopping for coffee on the way before meeting up with the support vehicle at Queensferry, with spectacular views of the Forth road and rail bridges. Refreshed you'll head off on a challenging little jaunt to Kinross.
    
    

    • 57.8 miles
    • 3,608.9 ft
      3,608.9 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Lunch
16. Day 16Kinross to Bridge of Cally

    Travelling through rolling countryside you'll cycle through Perth passing the historic Scone Palace and on to Blairgowrie. You are now in strawberry country – though not a traffic jam in sight! Climbing out of Blairgowrie you'll head for the Bridge Of Cally, where you will be staying this evening.
    
    

    • 39.1 miles
    • 2,460.6 ft
      2,460.6 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Lunch
17. Day 17Bridge of Cally to Tomintoul

    A memorable ride that you will be proud to have accomplished. With time to stop in Braemar and catch glimpses of Balmoral Castle, today you will have ticked all the boxes. This is a day of classic Highland scenery, and the miles to Tomintoul will fly by with the epic views!
    
    

    • 59.7 miles
    • 5,577.4 ft
      5,577.4 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast
18. Day 18Tomintoul to Inverness

    You are now in whisky country, crossing Spey Bridge into Grantown-on-Spey. Next, you'll stop at a beautiful little picnic spot at Dulcie Bridge and onto Inverness. Time allowing you may wish to visit Cawdor Castle (Macbeth) and the battlefields at Culloden. Tonight you are free to look around Inverness and take in the sights and flavours.
    
    

    • 52.2 miles
    • 2,788.7 ft
      2,788.7 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Lunch
19. Day 19Inverness to Lairg

    Today you'll take in some spectacular scenery that will bring all your senses to life! With stunning views over the Cromarty Firth, you’ll then cycle along the banks of the Durnoch Firth to Bonar Bridge and the Kyle of Sutherland. From here you'll pass the leaping salmon at Shin Falls, riding through the forest to your destination, Lairg.
    
    

    • 55.9 miles
    • 3,116.8 ft
      3,116.8 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast
20. Day 20Lairg to Bettyhill

    Yet more fantastic mountain scenery, open moorlands and awesome views as you head towards the north coast. This afternoon’s ride follows a wonderful salmon and trout fishing river so keep an eye out for ospreys! Finishing the day’s relatively short ride into Bettyhill gives you an opportunity to reflect on how far you have come and rest ahead of tomorrow’s ride.
    
    

    • 44.7 miles
    • 2,132.5 ft
      2,132.5 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Lunch
21. Day 21Bettyhill to John O’Groats

    The final push along the ancient barren coastline passing through Thurso and then John O’Groats. For those with time, a trip to Dunnet Head will gain more brownie points. At John O’Groats you'll stop for a picture and celebrations, before heading to your accommodation and getting bikes ready for the next day’s transfer. Then into the restaurant for a well deserved meal and several pats on the back. Congratulations! You’ve ridden from Land’s End to John O’Groats!
    
    

    • 50.3 miles
    • 2,952.8 ft
      2,952.8 ft
    • Comfortable Lodgings
    • Breakfast and Lunch
22. Day 22Departure: Inverness

    Departing at approx 09:00 for the 3 hour transfer to Inverness. If travelling by train, please do not arrange your train home any earlier than 13:30. If travelling by plane your flight should not depart before 15:00.
    
    

    • Breakfast