- Voted one of the Trips of the Year by Outside Magazine
- The ultimate mountain bike ride in the UK traversing the Scottish Highlands from coast to coast.
- 350km of superb riding from big mountain passes to ancient pine forest singletrack.
- 6 nights accommodation in locally-owned guest house and small hotels
- Breakfast and lunches, plus 2 evening meals (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All transport throughout the trip, starting in Aberdeen and finishing in Inverness
- Private boat trip on beautiful Loch Shiel
- A support vehicle & trailer throughout
- The services of qualified and experienced mountain bike guides and assistant guide/support driver throughout your trip.
- All group safety and bike maintenance equipment.
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.
27th Apr - 3rd May 2019
Tim Francis
A passionate biker and hill-walker, Tim is a former business development manager who spent 4 years working in South America...8th Jun - 14th Jun 2019
Amanda Shepherd
Find out more about pro-tenniser Amanda Shepherd here!20th Jul - 26th Jul 2019
Neil Macpherson
Globetrotter Neil has found paradise in the Cairngorms National Park. Learn more about him here.17th Aug - 23rd Aug 2019
Graham Moss
Graham shares his film star past and love of sailing in a very relaxed way...14th Sep - 20th Sep 2019
Graham Moss
Graham shares his film star past and love of sailing in a very relaxed way...ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
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.
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.
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 – please see booking form terms and conditions.
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/
Trip Details
Our 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:
• Our 350km route features some of the best trails in Scotland. We have made it our mission not just to get from A to B, but to ride the best trails along the way.
• Over the years, we have ridden all the alternatives and know that the route we have devised offers the best riding, scenery and challenge. Unlike other routes, ours is genuinely coast to coast – right from the North Sea to the crashing surf of the Atlantic at Ardnamurchan Point.
• We invest each year in finding the best accommodation and food partners for the trip based upon our detailed knowledge and experience of the region. No other company offers such a high standard of accommodation and food throughout the trip.
• All of our guides are professionals from the Highlands and know the trails inside out. Riding with them, you can sure of discovering the best riding, learning a huge amount about Scotland, being safe, developing your skills and, for sure, having a lot of fun.
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.
Trip Itinerary
Day One – City of Aberdeen to Ballater
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
Day Two – Lochnagar and Balmoral to Tomintoul, Via Glen Builg
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
Day Three – Through the Cairngorms
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
Day Four – From the East to the West Highlands
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
Day Five – Spean Bridge to Acharacle
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
Day Six – Acharacle to Ardnamurchan Point
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
Day Seven – Return to Inverness
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)
Prices and Dates
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2019 Trip Dates
Trip Reviews
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.
by Thilo Buchmann 01/10/2018
Pre-Trip Service
despite I have written, that I want a double room with my Girl friend you gave us single rooms and charged me single room. Your finance Guru discovered the mistake...
TEAM WILDERNESS RESPONSE:
Thanks for your feedback. When you initially booked with one of your friends you requested a single room so we applied the single supplement for you to your booking. When a space for your girlfriend became available a number of weeks later we moved you from your single room to a double to share with her but unfortunately the supplement was missed so was still on your booking. Once we realised this at the time you paid your balance we removed the supplement. We're sorry once again for the mistake, it sounds like you had an amazing trip overall.
Accommodation and Food
there were good and not so good accomodations. Especially the Hotel near Whisky castle
by Nicolas Ramirez 28/09/2018
Pre-Trip Service
Bridget was great, very responsive and helpful at all times.
Trip Comments
Each and every day was special and different. I loved it all, even the day when we were not able to cycle for weather conditions and our guides designed a great alternative day.
Accommodation and Food
Accommodation was fair and good. Was not expecting any luxury or especial highlight in this regard, so all good.
Your Guide
Both our guides were excellent, not only when actually guiding, but when getting lunch ready, driving, giving the right advise en route, etc. I especially enjoyed spending time with Tim, and his knowledge about history, culture and beyond.
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.
by Julia Arnold 26/09/2018
Pre-Trip Service
i think the pre trip customer was a little bit too much, too much Questions and paper to fill in.
Trip Comments
the stages through the Highlands will be unforgettable
day 4 with plenty of river crossings in the middle of nowhere in the Highlands was an Epic day!!!
arriving at the far western Point at the lighthouse was a fantastic Moment in a great scenery
the Pubs and especially the evening with folkmusic (fort William)
the two guides were absolutly brilliant!!!
Your Guide
hej Tim and Paul - you guys did an excellent Job! very caring (bike Service!!!!, having our bags in our hotel rooms was lovely, you tried to make all the special wishes of the participants possible - like seafood or folk Music)) , always aware of the situations challenges /of each stage challenges. very caring for environmental Questions!!!! it was brilliant to learn about the scottish history along the way, as well as about nature in General (animals, etc.). good Teamwork! motivating, always smiling and Living the idey of how great it is to cycle through the highlands
The Bottom Line
the trip is absolutely great. if i could i would bring all my cycling Friends and Kids to go for it! thanks for the Shirt from wildernenss and the bottle.
What i did not like:
beeing in a rush on holliday. I have no problems concerning fittnes or long distances , but i do not like arriving at the hotel late in the afternnoon, beeing in a rush to get a shower to be in time for dinner. there was no time for a rewiev of the day or just for beeing lazy or going on a short walk through the Villages.
the guides : brilliant, motivating way to guide!!!!sometimes the pace at the very beginning of the stage too fast
