Scotland - Highlands Coast to Coast

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival in Fort William

   If you are arriving by car, the meeting point for this trip is Balloch. With a meeting time of 13:30, you'll have plenty of time to be transferred to Fort William by late afternoon. If you are flying, you can be picked up from Glasgow Airport at 12:30. For those taking the train, there are regular journeys to Fort William.
   
   Fort William, located on Scotland's west coast, lies "beneath" the UK's highest peak, Ben Nevis (1345m). This busy little town offers plenty of places to enjoy a wee dram or some Highland fare. It's the perfect place to base yourself before starting your biking journey the next day.
   
   Once you arrive, there will be ample time to ensure all the bikes are ready for the adventure ahead. Tonight's evening meal will be an opportunity to chat with the guides about the schedule for the coming days and get to know your fellow adventurers a little better.
   
   

   • Local accommodation
2. Day 2Fort William to Fort Augustus

   Following a hearty Scottish breakfast, you'll ride straight from your accommodation up into Leanachan Forest and the Nevis Range. Host of the Mountain Bike World Cup, the Nevis Range is an adventure playground where you will encounter some excellent natural mountain bike trails in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Even at this early stage, you’ll begin to get a real flavour of the amazing scenery to come.
   
   After descending into Spean Bridge you'll join the famous Great Glen Cycle Route alongside Loch Lochy. At times your guides will take you off this well-used trail to ride some single track hidden gems. After some more exciting single track around Invergarry you'll finish the day with a simple scenic ride along the Caledonian Canal towpath into Fort Augustus at the southern point of Loch Ness.
   
   

   • 47.8 miles
   • 4,429.1 ft
     4,429.1 ft
   • Fort Augustus accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Fort Augustus to Kingussie

   Setting off from Fort Augustus you'll get a few miles under the wheels before the challenge of the day unfurls in the shape of the Corrieairack Pass. Situated on General Wade's old Military Road, at a height of 772m / 2500ft this is the highest point on the whole route. The climb up the Corrieairack is a tough and long climb followed by a technical and exhilarating descent and showcases mountain biking in Scotland at its wildest and dramatic best.
   
   Once over the pass, the route picks up the River Spey at Melgrave from where you'll follow the river downhill to Garva Bridge and then a country road to Laggan.
   
   

   • 37.3 miles
   • 4,101 ft
     4,101 ft
   • Local accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
4. Day 4Kingussie to Tomintoul

   Another day of varied mountain biking lies ahead today. A ride through Inshriach Forest provides great riding with some cheeky climbs, flowing singletrack and a ford at Allt Chromhraig to negotiate.
   
   You'll follow the Spey Valley north-east before turning eastward through the stunning Rothiemurchus Estate. Today you'll have lunch on the shores of Loch Morlich in the heart of Glenmore Forest Park. After lunch, the route takes you along forest tracks and out onto some wild moorland singletracks through the Braes of Abernethy to an afternoon snack stop at Bridge of Avon.
   
   From here the quality riding continues on up to the highest village in the Highlands -Tomintoul. Located in the stunning landscapes of Glenlivet Estate and the Cairngorms National Park it's a great place to end today's ride.
   
   

   • 42.9 miles
   • 3,773 ft
     3,773 ft
   • Tomintoul accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
5. Day 5Tomintoul to Ballater

   Another amazing off-road day as you skirt the east side of the Cairngorm Mountains. From Tomintoul, you'll head south following a track up the side of the River Avon and into Glen Builg.
   
   With spectacular mountains to the west the route soon takes you up and over the side of Culardoch before descending down to Invercauld House near Braemar.
   
   The final part of the day sees you follow the River Dee down the valley past the Queen’s country house of Balmoral and on to Ballater where you’ll be staying for the evening.
   
   

   • 35.4 miles
   • 3,773 ft
     3,773 ft
   • Ballater accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
6. Day 6Ballater to Edzell

   The last full day of riding, and what a day of quality Scottish mountain biking is in store for you!
   
   Your morning starts with a short flat ride along the River Dee to Dinnet – the eastern gateway to both the Highlands and the Cairngorms National Park, before you turn south up Glen Tanar and through the towering Caledonian Pines of the Forest of Glen Tanar.
   
   The Mounth Road is a technical singletrack route that takes you up and round the side of Mount Keen. From here it's all downhill to Glen Esk.
   
   The route then follows the beautiful River Esk along a lovely section of fun woodland singletrack to the picturesque village of Edzell.
   
   With just a few easy miles to do tomorrow, you’ll be more than a little tempted to sample one of the fine malts on offer following a well-deserved evening meal.
   

   • 40.4 miles
   • 3,116.8 ft
     3,116.8 ft
   • Edzell accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
7. Day 7Edzell to Montrose

   There are no major ups on this final section to Montrose and maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a few more rashers of bacon or an extra portion of haggis during your final Scottish breakfast.
   
   It’s around 15 miles to the coast and all on tarmac, so click off your suspension and enjoy the countryside as you ride from Edzell to Montrose, where your coast-to-coast journey ends.
   
   Once here it’s time to crack open the fizz and toast your fellow riders and guides as you celebrate completing this epic journey across Scotland.
   
   For the brave a dip in the North Sea is on the cards before you head to a nearby leisure centre for a warming shower and a change into your civvies.
   
   With a real sense of satisfaction you'll make the journey back to Balloch for those who are collecting their cars, or to Glasgow International Airport (GLA) for anyone flying. There is a train station in Montrose for anybody heading home by train.
   
   

   • 14.3 miles
   • 492.1 ft
     492.1 ft
   • Breakfast and Lunch