- 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.
Red Graded Mountain Biking Holidays 7-9
Our Red grade mountain biking trips are designed for regular mountain bikers with a good level of fitness and technical riding skills. You may need to include some pre-trip preparation to build your stamina to cope with being in the saddle for consecutive days. You can expect around 6-8 hours of riding each day through a wide variety of terrain. Distances covered will typically be in the range of 50km-70km each day and you can expect to be some wild mountain environments where weather is a factor.
Trail conditions will vary from easy fire road trails to rocky land rover tracks and technical singletrack. The singletrack will often be technical. The hardest trips in this grade will challenge even the most skilled rider with rock gardens, drop offs and steep rooty ascents and descents.
Before joining this trip, the questions you should be asking yourself are:
Are you happy being on your bike for between 6-8 hours each day for up to 6 days in a row?
Do you ride your mountain bike most weekends during the summer and do the occasional longer trip?
Are you happy riding all red and easier black trails that you will find at most mountain bike centres?
An inherently mobile itinerary, this trip will allow us to a range of high quality accommodation in the regions that we pass through.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
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 £250 is charged if a single room is required.
Customer Kudos
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 Diane Jones 09/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
it could not have gone any better for me as I was the lucky one who won my biking trip coast to coast
Trip Comments
Riding so much single track through beautiful heather lined trails felt like a dream
Accommodation and Food
the picnic lunches that where literally set up in the middle of no where never disappointed. Loved the converted Church we stayed in on our first night
Your Guide
Graham had a humor that i appreciated from the start, Melanie was so knowledgeable about nature and the wild life we came across. Pete was great even though we only got to be with him for a few days. Pete was so encouraging on a few of the very challenging climbs
The Bottom Line
This is definitely an Adventure to add to the bucket list, Thank you for an amazing trip.
by Shawn Walker 04/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Great detail in the packages sent and the information on the website
Trip Comments
A good mixture of trail and roads. Breathtaking scenery. Excellent routes. Meet all exceptions and then some.
Accommodation and Food
Meals and snacks were great. Guides were willing to get items that we requested. Dinners were varied and wellchosen
Your Guide
Graham, Mel and Peter were excellent guides. Experienced and very knowledgeable. We felt that they went above and beyond to make the trip unforgettable.
The Bottom Line
If you want to do a coast to coast trip of Scotland we're not sure how they could have made the trip better. From the food, routes and guides everything exceeded our expectations.
by Cindy Holdsworth 02/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Accessible, helpful
Trip Comments
Blessed with good weather, heather in bloom and wonderful guides
Accommodation and Food
All accommodation was top-notch. No complaints.
Your Guide
Approachable, knowledgeable, relaxed, immensely helpful and supportive.
The Bottom Line
Challenging, full days, awe-inspiring landscape. Always felt we were in capable hands. Trip of a lifetime!
by Philippe Zirnheld 09/08/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
the picnics were perfect. thanks to dave and andy organising me tasty gluten free food :).
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
by Mike Reiner 08/08/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
the best Hotel was Old Pines an the Guides was verry good and professional
Accommodation and Food
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Your Guide
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The Bottom Line
Amasing Scotland
by Bob Gutowski 03/08/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Real person answering the phone. Friendly enthusiastic people helping plan your trip.
Trip Comments
Small group of riders. Knowledgeable guides Of Scotland. Guides work really hard to help you make enjoyable trip.
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
Knowledgeable, interesting, strong, professional, fun. They did a excellent job, I would recommend them for any future trip. They were there when you needed them, helped with the smallest details to big concerns of each day riding. (Tim Francis mapped one heck of a route through the mountains. I was cursing him several times over, jokingly.) I understand our pace each day but taking it slower in certain sections, taking more pictures would also work. Thank you so very much for showing us the beautiful landscapes and culture of Scotland!
I wish my nerve pain were better under control. I'm glad Dave and I signed up for this trip. It was challenging for me, I am stronger for completing The coast-to-coast journey mentally and physically.
Thanks,
Bob
The Bottom Line
Not just for any cyclists. Wilderness Scotland makes a trip like this happen. Work hard and you can see & ride outstanding landscapes in this beautiful world of ours.
by Dave Nelson 02/08/2016
Pre-Trip Service
The office crew was very helpful. The information available and booking process were very helpful as well.
Trip Comments
We truly got to experience the wild side of Scotland and some great cycling. We were also treated to authentic Scottish hospitality and local culture.
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
David and Andy managed the trip well, but more than that, they added to the experience with their considerable knowledge of the local history, the routes, and genuine hospitality.
The Bottom Line
Take the the advice to get in shape before the trip, so that you can truly enjoy all that it has to offer. A great way to experience Scotland!
by Barry Slater 02/08/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
Great guides, looked after our every need and were very informative with history and geography along the way, also managed differing abilties very well.
The Bottom Line
by Tom Beicht 01/08/2016
Pre-Trip Service
precise information, it all worked out as planned... smoothly
Trip Comments
... too long ;-)
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
great landscapes, great people, great experience
by Jeanine Evenson 26/07/2016
Pre-Trip Service
The staff was very friendly and helpful.
Trip Comments
Our guides, Will and Andy, were great, and we had very enjoyable trip companions. The route was varied, interesting and challenging. Good food, beautiful scenery, and friendly people everywhere we went!
Accommodation and Food
Great lunches set up every day by Will and Andy. We enjoyed all the accommodations and liked the variety.
Your Guide
Will and Andy were great, super fun guides. They were both very interesting individuals and knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects. They were very professional, providing everything necessary to make our trip carefree and enjoyable. They dealt with all the trip's challenges in a timely and efficient manner, accommodated our special requests (dark chocolate!), helped with any issues and never got crabby!
The Bottom Line
A top notch company and staff and a great trip!
Prices and Departures
171 people viewed this trip in the last week
Book with confidence - we guaranteee our trips to run as soon as 2 people book.
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 350km, an awesome amount of ascent and descent and is the ultimate coast to coast mountain bike ride in the UK.
In the quest to make a great trip even better, we have made further improvements this year which mean more superb Highland trails and a higher standard of accommodation throughout the trip. The trails are as varied as the spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands and range from flowing singletrack to rocky and challenging mountain passes to mellow forest fire-road. Beginning in Aberdeen, we leave the city behind and ride all the way across the Highlands through the backcountry to the tip of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the westernmost point of mainland Britain. This is a truly superb multi-day mountain bike ride offering world class riding through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Scottish Highlands.
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 b 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. Distance 64km. (L)
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: 70km
Day Three – Through the Cairngorms
Arguably one of the best day rides in the UK, today’s route takes us through the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Challenging hill climbs, beautiful ancient forests and sparkling lochs provide the backdrop to some of the country’s finest trails. Your guide will show you the way on this area’s hidden trails which link together to provide an unforgettable day in the mountains. Having traversed the National Park, our final is the village of Newtonmore. This is a classic and challenging day and one you are likely to remember for a long time.
Distance 58km. (B,L)
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 Wolftrax – one of Scotland’s best mtb trail centres. Some excellent downhill leads to morning coffee and a recharge before we head into a remote glacial valley which passes through the heart of the mountains. Double track combines with single track to leads us into the West Highlands. Overnight in Spean Bridge.
Distance 64km. (B,L)
Day Five – Spean Bridge to Acharacle
The lower reaches of the Great Glen Way lead to Fort William where we take a short hop by boat across Loch Linnhe. Once ashore on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula we head south and then west to ride through one of the Highlands’ finest glens – remote, wild and dramatic. Our route leads to the shores of Loch Shiel and the historic village of Glenfinnan. The day ends in style when we are picked up by private boat for a journey down the loch to reach our overnight accommodation.
Distance 45-60km. (B,L)
Day Six – Acharacle to Ardnamurchan Point
An awesome final day to finish. From Acharacle we head straight off-road into the Ardnamurchan wilderness. Heading west we join a beautiful coastline trail before climbing into the hills to reach one of the best and most challenging singletrack sections of the route. The views to Skye, the Small Isles and the Outer Hebrides are simply breathtaking on a clear day. After lunch we tackle the final short section of road and coastline singletrack to our final destination Ardnamurchan Point – the most westerly point on the UK mainland! A truly epic location to finish our journey. Celebratory dinner and drinks in Acharacle.
Distance 45km. (B,L)
Day Seven – Return to Inverness
Following breakfast we load the vehicle and bikes and enjoy a leisurely 2 hour journey back to Inverness, arriving around lunchtime. (B)
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Prices and Departures
171 people viewed this trip in the last week
Book with confidence - we guaranteee our trips to run as soon as 2 people book.
