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    | Ardverikie Estate

    Gravel Biking

    Highland Gravel Trail


    Deposit From: £760£760
    Region: Multi-Location
    Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
    Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book

    Next Departure: 2nd - 8th Jun 2025
    Accommodation: Classic

    Grading:

    Carbon Footprint: 115kg ? What does this mean?
    Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      From: £2,895 View Prices & Dates

      Trip Overview

      Created by: Stevie Christie


      Join us on a fully-guided gravel bike adventure through the wild heart of Scotland. From Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park to the gilded glens and slate blue mountains of the Cairngorms, take the trail less travelled on a unique route that sews together some of the best off-road riding in the UK.

      Accompanied by an expert cycling guide, pedal along gravel highways, forest tracks, and paths that twist and turn through the quiet, heathery landscape. Once walked long ago by highland drovers and their many heads of cattle, these routes connect the historic towns and villages of Scotland, making them perfect for a point-to-point cross-country trip. Stay in hand-picked local accommodation along the way, including a remote, beautifully wild hostel at the tip of Loch Ossian. On a journey that strikes the perfect balance between excellent riding, diverse landscapes, and fascinating historical sites, join us to discover Scotland in the best way possible – from the saddle of a gravel bike.

      Gravel bike hire/rental is included in this itinerary. For more details, see our bike fleet page.

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      Day by Day
      Itinerary

      Day 1 – Milngavie to Callander Read Less

      Day 1

      Milngavie to Callander

      Meet your guide at Milngavie Train Station and begin your adventure. We leave the city behind as we ride through a landscape of woodland, heath, and pretty lochans. As open pasture unfurls, the first views of the Highlands reveal themselves, with the summit of Ben Lomond appearing upon the horizon. Continue through Queen Elizabeth Park, which extends from the shores of Loch Lomond to the peaks of Strathyre. We finish our ride by pedalling past Loch Ard and Loch Venachar to arrive in the village of Callander and our lovely hotel for the night.

      Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 75 km / 47 miles | 1,118 m / 3,668 ft

      Day 2 – Callander to Killin Read Less

      Day 2

      Callander to Killin

      Today’s route takes us through the beautiful eastern flanks of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park to arrive in the pretty village of Killin. Accompanied by your guide, begin the morning by riding along the shores of Loch Lubnaig, where the water is clear and the tree-heavy hills ascend steeply skywards. From here, we follow a historic railway line to the western tip of Loch Tay, where the misty spray of the Falls of Dochart offers a cooling finish to a fantastic ride. This afternoon, visit the Moirlanich Longhouse (a rare example of a traditional Scottish longhouse) and the evocative ruins of Finlarig Castle.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 35 km / 22 miles | 420 m / 1,378 ft

      Day 3 – Killin to Loch Ossian Read Less

      Day 3

      Killin to Loch Ossian

      After breakfast, ride out of Killin and follow the River Lochay valley steadily west. The road here is slender and quiet, with the surrounding tapestry of old fields and green hills providing an incredible feeling of space. Later, after branching northwards, pedal through Glen Lyon (often described as Scotland’s longest, loneliest, and loveliest glen) to the Bridge of Balgie and its delightful post office tearoom. After coffee and cake, we pack up our overnight gear to head to our off-grid eco hostel. Set out across the wild Rannoch Moor, looking for golden eagles, peregrines, and red stags. This evening, spend the night on the remote tip of Loch Ossian, lighting the hostel’s wood burner and enjoying the feeling of wild isolation.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 82 km / 51 miles | 1,450 m / 4,757 ft

      Day 4 – Loch Ossian to Kingussie Read Less

      Day 4

      Loch Ossian to Kingussie

      Today’s ride takes you through a landscape dominated by rugged mountains, wild moorland, and thick forests into the very heart of Cairngorms National Park. From Loch Ossian, ride through a wind-swept valley and along the shores of Loch Laggan – past the largest freshwater beach in Britain. From here, leave Ardverikie Estate behind, and pedal by Glen Shirra to the Spey Dam and onwards to the traditional Highland village of Kingussie. Descending from the lonely moors, the Gaelic translation of Kingussie means ‘head of the pine forest’, fitting for a village so close to ancient Caledonian pines. Unclip, have dinner, and perhaps sample a dram or two of a Speyside malt before turning in.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 70 km / 43 miles | 700 m / 2,297 ft

      Day 5 – Kingussie to Grantown-on-Spey Read Less

      Day 5

      Kingussie to Grantown-on-Spey

      This morning, we head out of Kingussie and head north towards Grantown-on-Spey. The route today takes you past Ruthven Barracks (built after the 1715 Jacobite uprising) and along the edge of Insh marshes, one of the most important wetland areas in Europe and home to curlew, lapwing, redshank, and snipe. Further on, pedal through silver birch groves, over old stone bridges, and into Abernethy National Nature Reserve. As you ride, look out for red squirrels and roe deer, enjoying the unmistakable tang of pine needles on the fresh mountain air. With many opportunities to stop at sites of interest, and maybe even opt for the odd bit of spicy singletrack, today is sure to be thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 65 km / 40 miles | 650 m / 2,133 ft

      Day 6 – Grantown-on-Spey to Findhorn Read Less

      Day 6

      Grantown-on-Spey to Findhorn

      On your last full day of riding, climb out of the Spey Valley and cross the Dava Moor with your sights set on reaching the sea. With the hilly views gradually flattening to reveal great swathes of wind-washed sky, today’s route is a fitting finale to the trip. The diverse landscape – farmland, woodland and moorland – means it’s an engaging ride that traverses much of the undiscovered wilds of the northeast. Catch the scent of salt on the breeze as we descend to the Moray Firth and the stretching crescent of Findhorn Beach. Celebrate your adventure on the sand before jumping in the van and returning to Grantown-on-Spey for a celebratory meal.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 48 km / 30 miles | 275 m / 902 ft

      Day 7 – Depart from Aviemore Read Less

      Day 7

      Depart from Aviemore

      After breakfast, your guide will take you to the nearby town of Aviemore, where the trip will conclude. You may wish to hop on the train and travel south towards Edinburgh or Glasgow or continue your adventure in the Highlands.

      Meals Included: Breakfast

      X
      Gravel Biking
      Highland Gravel Trail

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

      Fields marked with * are mandatory

      The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

      Trip Dates & Prices

      All payments taken in local currency GBP

      Trip Dates for 2025AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
      2nd Jun - 8th Jun 20257 place(s) leftAvailable £2,895Book Now
      16th Aug - 22nd Aug 20258 place(s) leftAvailable £2,895Book Now

      Make This Trip Private

      Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your preferred departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

      Enquire Now
      X
      Gravel Biking
      Highland Gravel Trail

      For private departure enquiries, please complete the form below:

      Trip Details

      Accommodation Read More

      This holiday is based in welcoming and quality country hotels or inns and an off-grid eco-hostel. All accommodations are in prime locations to access the wonderful riding.

      Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities, except in the hostel where you will share either a female or male bunk room.

      Single Rooms

      There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £390 is charged.

      Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

      Meals Read More

      This trip includes all meals, from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7. Dinners are two courses as standard.

      Great food is of paramount importance on all Wilderness Scotland trips, and we will enjoy excellent regional cooking during this all-inclusive trip.

      Your guides will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group.

      Inclusions Read More
      • Professional guiding with a lead guide and assistant guide/support driver.
      • Six nights accommodation in 3/4 star hotels and an eco-hostel.
      • Meals, as stated in the itinerary.
      • Ride snacks and drinks.
      • 7 days of gravel bike hire/rental included.
      • Vehicle transport throughout, including ride support and luggage transfers.
      Grading Read More

      Red

      Our red-graded gravel biking holidays are suitable for people with a high level of both fitness and riding skills. You can expect up to 8 hours of riding each day through a wide variety of terrain. Although unlikely, there is the potential for longer days under certain conditions.

      The distances covered will be between 50 and 80 km (30 and 50 miles), with a total ascent of between 500 and 1,500 metres each day. You may need to plan some pre-trip preparation to build your stamina to cope with being in the saddle for consecutive days. Trail conditions will vary, and you’ll encounter loose sections with loose gravel, large stones, and other obstacles such as potholes and tree roots. The gravel bikes have drop handlebars, so it’s important to be comfortable riding with them.

      Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

      You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guides at Milngavie Railway Station at 9.30am on Day 1 of your trip. The trip will conclude at Aviemore Railway Station at 9.30am on the final day.

      Milngavie Railway Station is on the West Highland Railway line, which has direct trains north to Fort William and south to Glasgow, with connections to Edinburgh and beyond.

      Aviemore Railway Station is on the main Highland line with direct trains north to Inverness and south to Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London.

      Bike Hire / Bring Your Own Bike Read More

      Bike Hire/Rental

      Gravel bike hire/rental is included in this itinerary.

      Find Out More.

      Bring Your Own Bike

      You are also more than welcome to bring your own bike. If you’re bringing your E-bike along for the trip, please ensure it has a removable battery. Due to limitations around charging, E-bikes with non-removable batteries cannot be accommodated.

      If you choose to do so, please ensure it’s in excellent working condition and has been recently serviced – either by you or by a reputable bike shop.

      In addition, please bring the following:

      • Multi-tool, including a chain tool
      • Mini pump and/or CO2 canisters
      • Two spare tubes and a puncture repair kit

      Because we will need to load your bike onto one of our trailers, please ensure that:

      • Your rear wheel is clear of any obstructions; including lights, mudguard or panniers
      • Your tyres are no wider than 45mm

      Due to the nature of our trips, we are unfortunately unable to carry bike boxes or bags with us, so please make prior arrangements if necessary.

      If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly and knowledgable sales team are always delighted to answer any queries you may have.

      Speak to an Expert

      Chris Page

      Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

      Ask Chris a Question

      Difficulty Grades Explained

      Red

      Our red-graded gravel biking holidays are suitable for people with a high level of both fitness and riding skills. You can expect up to 8 hours of riding each day through a wide variety of terrain. Although unlikely, there is the potential for longer days under certain conditions.

      The distances covered will be between 50 and 80 km (30 and 50 miles), with a total ascent of between 500 and 1,500 metres each day. You may need to plan some pre-trip preparation to build your stamina to cope with being in the saddle for consecutive days. Trail conditions will vary, and you’ll encounter loose sections with loose gravel, large stones, and other obstacles such as potholes and tree roots. The gravel bikes have drop handlebars, so it’s important to be comfortable riding with them.

      Find Out More

      Our holidays reviewed
      in your own words

      I cannot recommend Wilderness Scotland enough! This was my first trip, and still cannot believe how fantastic out trip was! From the breathtaking scenery, calm untouched coves, unique wildlife, down to the food and good company! Everything was perfect and I do not say that often about trips, however I cannot fault anything with our holiday.

      Ginny Orange
      Sailing and Walking - Knoydart, Skye and The Small Isles
      Reviewed on 22/05/2019

      Rated 4.90 out of 5 based on 7,562 reviews

      Read More Reviews
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