Trip created by Craig Little
View Craig's Profile
Location: Multi-Location
Trip Type: Mountain Biking
Comfort: Classic
Difficulty:
All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.
Download ItineraryOur Coast to Coast mountain biking itinerary is an absolute epic and, without a doubt, one of our favourite trips. It features a week of superb riding from Aberdeen in the east to Ardnamurchan in the west.
Our pioneering route covers 400km, an awesome amount of ascent and descent and is the ultimate coast to coast mountain bike ride in the UK.
The trails are as varied as the spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands, and range from flowing single-track to rocky and challenging mountain passes to mellow forests tracks. You will ride under the leadership of our expert guides and spend each night in welcoming accommodations with great food. There is no doubt that this is a challenging itinerary, but there is also no doubt that this is the ultimate coast to coast mountain bike ride in the UK.
Why choose the Wilderness Scotland Coast to Coast?
With many coast to coast itineraries out there, how do you know which one’s best? Through 20 years+ of experience, knowledge and passion, we believe our trip is the one to choose. Hopefully, the following facts will help you make up your mind:
START POINT – Aberdeen
END POINT – Inverness
Our Coast to Coast mountain bike trip was voted one of the trips of the year in the US’ leading outdoor publication. Outside Magazine. You can read the recommendation here.
Cycling Journalist and writer Rob Penn also complete the Wilderness Scotland Coast to Coast. To read his account of his trip in The Guardian, click here.
We meet in Aberdeen where we begin our bike journey west across Scotland. We ride through Royal Deeside, following the route of the old railway line built for Queen Victoria. After lunch we continue to Dinnet, to ride some of the best-kept secret single-track on Deeside, through beautiful birch and pine forest around the Burn of Vat and Cambus o’ May. Our first night’s accommodation is in the charming village of Ballater. (L, D)
Distance: 64km Ascent: 900m Descent: 770m
A classic day, typical of riding in the Scottish Highlands. In the morning we leave Ballater behind, following the River Muick, rising slowly towards Lochnagar. Climbing over the shoulder of the mountain, we then drop down to explore the trails around Balmoral Estate. Lunch is taken at Invercauld, followed by a long steady climb into wild Scottish countryside and a real mountain experience. Overnight in Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands. (B, L)
Distance: 62km Ascent: 1410m Descent: 1210m
An unforgettable day through the wild Cairngorms. This is backcountry biking at its best in the Highlands, and we must ride through this wilderness regardless of the weather conditions. We head west from Tomintoul into remote country, first through ancient pine forest and then into the open hills. A challenging 10km of single-track leads us into the beautiful Glen Feshie, and then the Spey Valley and our stop for the night in Newtonmore. This is the most demanding day of the trip and one you are likely to remember for a long time. (B, L)
Distance: 66km Ascent: 1060m Descent: 1150m
From Newtonmore, we continue our journey west, following an old military road before taking the backdoor into Laggan. Here we stop for a coffee before we head into a remote glacial valley which passes through the heart of the mountains. Double track combined with single track to leads us on and into the West Highlands. We reach our accommodation for tonight in the village of Spean Bridge. (B, L)
Distance: 70km Ascent: 1050m Descent: 1200m
The lower reaches of the Great Glen Way lead to Fort William where we take a short hop across Loch Linnhe. From here we journey to Loch Shiel, where we jump off our bikes and onto a boat for a private cruise down Loch Shiel (with a beer in hand!). Back on land, it’s an easy 200m roll to our hotel. (B, L)
Distance: 78km Ascent: 1230m Descent: 1315m
A great final day as we cover all types of terrains. From our hotel, we head west, soon joining a beautiful coastline trail and then heading into the hills. The views of the islands are simply amazing on a clear day. After lunch we tackle the final short section of road and coastline single-track to our final destination, Ardnamurchan Point – the most westerly point on the UK mainland! Celebratory dinner and drinks in Acharacle. (B, L, D)
Distance: 61km Ascent: 1540m Descent: 1560m
After breakfast, we load the vehicle and bike trailer and enjoy a leisurely 3.5 hour journey back to Inverness. Here you can catch your onward travel, and on the way home you’ll have a chance to reflect on what will surely be a memorable experience! (B)
If you would like to instantly download a copy of our PDF Trip Itinerary which contains full details about this itinerary, please complete the form below:
ACCOMMODATION
This trip features some of the best hotel and guest house accommodation and food along the route we travel. We use a variety of accommodations such as country inns, guesthouses and small hotels, all hand-picked by us. Accommodation is in a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities.
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 require a single room please request this at the time of booking and we will check availability for you. A single room supplement of £295 is charged if a single room is available u2013 please see booking form terms and conditions.
Lunch each day will be either a wilderness picnic or taken at a local cafe/restaurant. Drinks and snacks are provided throughout the day as you require. Evening meals are included on the first and final evenings, and on this itinerary and we have the flexibility to take evening meals in local restaurants or pubs. Based upon our knowledge and experience, we will visit the best places to eat along the routes.
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.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Aberdeen Railway Station at 9:00am on Day 1 of your trip. At the end of the trip you have the option of being dropped at 10:30am at Fort William Railway Station or at Inverness Railway Station at 1:30pm.
For advice on getting to and from Scotland please our travel advice page on our website: www.wildernessscotland.com/faq/travel-to-scotland/
120 People viewed this trip in the last week
| Trip Dates for 2019 | Availability | Status | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27th Apr - 3rd May 2019 | 6 place(s) left | CONFIRMED | £1,695 | Book Now |
| 11th May - 17th May 2019 | 6 place(s) left | CONFIRMED | £1,695 | Book Now |
| 8th Jun - 14th Jun 2019 Female only date | 8 place(s) left | UNCONFIRMED | £1,695 | Book Now |
| 20th Jul - 26th Jul 2019 | 4 place(s) left | CONFIRMED | £1,695 | Book Now |
| 17th Aug - 23rd Aug 2019 | 1 place(s) left | CONFIRMED | £1,695 | Book Now |
| 14th Sep - 20th Sep 2019 | 1 place(s) left | CONFIRMED | £1,695 | Book Now |
Sometimes it's nice to get family and friends together and travel privately for some quality time. This means you benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides and we'll take care of it all. Then you can make your choice of departures dates and we'll get back to you to finalise the details.
Craig has over 12 years experience in delivering travel experiences and events of exceptional quality across Scotland. As one of the longest-serving members of the Wilderness Scotland team, Craig’s speciality is in road cycling and mountain biking. His expertise and innovation helped create the Road Cycling Guide Award which helps all our guiding team deliver excellence on our trips.
- Craig Little
Call Craig Ask Craig a QuestionRated 4.86 out of 5 based on 90 review(s) of Mountain Biking – Coast to Coast
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.
Thilo Buchmann
Reviewed on 01/10/2018
Age: 60 - 70
Country: Germany
Trip Date: 15/09/2018
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
Nicolas Ramirez
Reviewed on 28/09/2018
Age: 40 - 50
Country: Peru
Trip Date: 15/09/2018
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
An epic and truly memorable journey. The perfect combination of challenge, nature and culture. Being out there cycling off-road in contact with the elements changing every single minute... it was special.
Rolf Lori
Reviewed on 27/09/2018
Age: 70 - 80
Country: Germany
Trip Date: 15/09/2018
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
David Tanguay
Reviewed on 24/09/2018
Age: 30 - 40
Country: Canada
Trip Date: 15/09/2018
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
This experience was for me a very special experience. Challenging, but also very rewarding. keep tye group size as it is; it is perfect.
Alex Adams
Reviewed on 17/09/2018
The Bottom Line
The Wilderness Scotland Coast to Coast Mountain Bike trip was thoroughly enjoyable. It was challenging but quite achievable within a great group of participants with effective and yet friendly guides. I hope to get back for another trip.
Red Graded Mountain Biking Holidays 7-9
Our red graded trips are designed for regular mountain bikers with a high level of both fitness and riding skill. 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. Distances covered will be in the range of 50km-70km each day and this will normally include significant ascent and descent. 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 from easy trails to rocky land-rover tracks and technical single-track. The single-track will often be technical requiring a good skill set. The hardest trips in this grade will challenge even the most skilled rider with rock gardens, drop offs and steep ascents and descents.
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