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    Mountain Biking

    Bike Across Scotland

    24 reviews

    Next Trip: 11th - 16th Jun 2023 Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

    From £1,695 View Prices & Dates

    Travel Planning & Advice

    Book With Confidence

    Trip created by Paul Easto
    View Paul's Profile

    Region: Multi-Location
    Trip Type: Mountain Biking
    Accommodation: Classic
    Max Group Size: 8
    Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book
    Deposit From: £423.75 £423.75

    Grading:

    Carbon Footprint: 102kg ? What does this mean?
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    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

    Download Itinerary

    This guided mountain bike holiday takes you on a journey across Scotland and provides a great challenge for novice to intermediate riders.

    After a warm-up ride on Day 1, we bike for four days to cross Scotland, from Fort William on Scotland’s Atlantic Coast to Inverness on the Moray Firth. With 5-6 hours of cycling each day, you will have plenty of time to soak in the sights of the Highlands as you ride and at the end of each day.

    Along the way, you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide and a support vehicle that moves your luggage each day (and provides a lift, if required!). This means you are free to focus on simply enjoying the ride and the changing scenery each day.

    Please note – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors.

    Need a bike? See our bike hire page for details. 

    Trip Highlights

    • Mountain bike across the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Inverness.
    • Explore Highland villages, visit ancient castles and go monster-spotting on Loch Ness!
    • Perfect for beginner to intermediate riders looking for a challenge and to develop their skills.

    Day by Day Itinerary

    Day 1 – Transfer and Warm-up Ride

    We start our trip in Aviemore this morning and kick off the trip by going for a warmup ride in the Cairngorms National Park. Your guide will ensure your bike is all set up for the week ahead and then we get out on the trails. The trails offer the perfect introduction to the week, as well as superb views of the hills and forests of the Cairngorms. Afterwards, we transfer west to Spean Bridge where we settle into our hotel and enjoy our first dinner as a group. (L, D)

    Distance: Flexible, depending on which trails we ride, approx 2-3 hours riding

    Day 2 – The Journey Begins

    Our hotel is located 15km from Fort William, so today we do a loop ride, giving us the chance to ride some fun trails in the forest on the outward loop, before starting our cross-country journey at Fort William and riding back to our hotel. In the morning, we ride directly from the hotel and follow trails through Leanachan Forest, home to the Mountain Bike World Cup. This is a great place to learn how to ride new trail features such as berms, rolling and flowing twists and turns, and maybe even some boardwalks! (B, L, D)

    Distance: 45km, approx 4-5 hours riding

    Day 3 – Spean Bridge to Fort Augustus

    We ride from the hotel, initially returning to the canal before following a remote forest trail on the west side of Loch Lochy. We emerge at the Laggan Locks, where we stop for lunch at an old barge which has been converted into a quirky cafe. After lunch, we cross the swing bridge and, by the banks of Loch Oich, take on the first big climb of the trip. This takes us into forest above the village of Invergarry, where we are rewarded for our efforts by superb views of Loch Oich and the surrounding hills. From here, the hard work is done and we enjoy a fun descent to the village of Fort Augustus, located on the banks of Loch Ness. With plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from, this makes a great overnight stop. (B, L, D)

    Distance: 41km, approx 4-5 hours riding

    Day 4 – Fort Augustus to Drumnadrochit

    A memorable day as we ride high above the banks of Loch Ness. Today is perhaps the most challenging day of the trip as we climb through the forest to reach the open moors high above Loch Ness. The hard work is worth it though because what goes up must come down! We enjoy a fun descent to Invermoriston, which is a natural place for a break. Afterwards, we follow the lochside more closely before the final climb of the day. The hard work now done, enjoy an easy coast down into the Highland village of Drumnadrochit. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the village, with a trip to nearby Urquhart Castle a popular choice, or you can check out the Loch Ness Monster Museum! (B, L, D)

    Distance: 36km, approx 4-5 hours riding

    Day 5 – Drumnadrochit to Inverness

    Your final day of riding takes you from the shores of Loch Ness to the capital of the Highlands – Inverness.  It’s long enough to present a final challenge but short enough to ensure that we have the energy to celebrate our achievement later on. There is a climb and it comes at the start of the day – always the best time to take on a climb! We are rewarded with fantastic views down the Great Glen, and with the knowledge that it’s all downhill from here! We follow fun single track trails down through the forest, with great views towards Inverness and, beyond the city, across the blue expanse of the Moray Firth. Arriving into Inverness, we cycle alongside the river and through a network of islands linked by bridges, before arriving at our finish point outside Inverness Castle.  We will then transfer back to Aviemore for our final dinner together, and to celebrate a wonderful trip. (B, L, D)

    Distance: 40km, approx 4-5 hours riding

    Day 6 – Depart Aviemore

    After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you are free to make your way home. (B)

    X
    Mountain Biking
    Bike Across Scotland

    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

    Trip Dates for 2023AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
    11th Jun - 16th Jun 20232 places leftCONFIRMED£1,695Book Now
    3rd Sep - 8th Sep 20238 places leftUNCONFIRMED£1,695Book Now

    Trip Details

    Accommodation Read More

    An inherently mobile itinerary, this trip will allow us to a range of high-quality accommodations in the regions that we pass through. We spend the first two nights in a 4-star small hotel and then one night each in Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit and Aviemore, staying in 4-star guest houses.

    Single Rooms

    We do not charge single person supplements to people booking on their own. However you will be expected to share a room with another person of the same sex. It may be possible to book a single room, provided one is available. Please request this at the time of booking and we will let you know if one is available. For this trip, a supplement of £360 is charged if a single room is required.

    Meals Read More

    This trip is ‘All Inclusive’ and includes all meals.
    Breakfast will be provided by your accommodation. Lunches are generally taken on the trail and are either prepared by our support driver at a suitable meeting point, or we carry packed lunches for the more remote sections. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

    On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations.

     

     

    Inclusions Read More
    • 5 nights accommodation in 4* small hotels / guest houses, with breakfast each day.
    • The services of a qualified and experienced mountain bike guide throughout, backed up by an assistant guide / support driver.
    • All meals as stated in the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
    • Vehicle transport throughout including ride support and luggage transfers.
    • Ride snacks, home-baking and drinks.
    Trip Grading Read More

    Green Graded 1-3

    Our green graded mountain biking holidays are suitable for people new to mountain biking or with limited experience but a reasonable level of fitness. The itineraries are designed to be active yet accessible with plenty of opportunity for instruction, sightseeing and relaxation as well as some great riding.

    You can expect around 5-6 hours of saddle time each day. Distances covered will typically be in the range of 30km-35km with straightforward ascents and descents. Trail conditions will vary from quiet minor roads, forest trails and easy sections of fun single-track.

    Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

    You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Aviemore Railway Station at 10:00am on Day 1 of your trip. The trip will finish in Aviemore on the last day after breakfast at our hotel.

    For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website: www.wildernessscotland.com/faq/travel-to-scotland/

    Photo Gallery

    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 prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

    Speak to an Expert

    Rachael Gavan

    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 Rachael a Question

    Meet Your Guide

    Difficulty Grades Explained

    Green Graded Mountain Biking Holidays 1-3

    Our green graded mountain biking holidays are suitable for people new to mountain biking or with limited experience but a reasonable level of fitness. The itineraries are designed to be active yet accessible with plenty of opportunity for instruction, sightseeing and relaxation as well as some great riding.

    You can expect around 5-6 hours of saddle time each day. Distances covered will typically be in the range of 30km-35km with straightforward ascents and descents. Trail conditions will vary from quiet minor roads, forest trails and easy sections of fun single-track.

    Compare mountain biking grades

    Trip Reviews

    Rated 4.88 out of 5 based on 24 reviews of Mountain Biking – Bike Across Scotland

     

    Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

    That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

    JA

    Jason Ashford

    Reviewed on 25/09/2022

    Age: 40 - 50
    Country: United States
    Trip Date: 10/09/2022
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    I’d like to come back again Thanks

    DM

    Darren Milne

    Reviewed on 29/07/2021

    Age: 40 - 50
    Country: United Kingdom
    Trip Date: 10/07/2021
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    An overall excellent experience of The Highlands on mountain bike. Very well organised and great guides. Will certainly be booking up another trip.

    SR

    Susan Ross

    Reviewed on 19/07/2021

    Age: 60 - 70
    Country: Scotland
    Trip Date: 10/07/2021
    Trips Taken: 3

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    A great fun trip through a beautiful part of Scotland. The attention to detail was excellent and everything ran very smoothly.

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