- 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 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?
22nd Jul - 28th Jul 2017
Neil Macpherson
Globetrotter Neil has found paradise in the Cairngorms National Park. Learn more about him here.19th Aug - 25th Aug 2017
Graham Moss
Graham shares his film star past and love of sailing in a very relaxed way...Accommodation
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 David Gleave 27/06/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
by Devon Lumbard 26/06/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Only suggestion is the recommendation for 15-30L backpack was misleading. I carried a 24L, which was much more than I needed and more than everyone else. Perhaps clarify that the van will meet you for lunch each day.
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Lunch was great and appreciated the guides continually offering us as much food as we wanted. In a large group, one can feel guilty eating/drinking too much if there is concern that others may not get enough.
Your Guide
Both Paul and Malcolm were great. It did seem that they were a little stressed at the start since we got a late start on day 1. Suggest they acknowledge that we are getting a late start and describe how late we are, but then put extra effort into getting everyone pumped about the trip.
The Bottom Line
The aberdeen to Inverness trip is very special. Scotland has a unique set of attributes in that it is both very rural/majestic yet comfortable. I love the mix of what feels like remote country during the day and small town B&B at night. Support van was great.
I realize pasta is not normal fare for Scottish restaurants, but given how long/hard we ride everyday, I would have loved to have a carb rich pasta dish on the menu each night. The lasagna options didn't have much pasta in them.
by Stuart Allen 19/06/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Very helpful advice about preparing for the trip. I was told to bring a lock for my bike but this wasn't needed and I ended up carrying the extra weight around in my luggage.
Trip Comments
Riding singletrack was the highlight for me, plus the wilderness feel of the central section of the trip.
Accommodation and Food
Most were excellent apart from the first place in Ballater - far too hot and the breakfast service was slow.
Your Guide
Malcolm and Paul were fantastic guides. Paul was great at finding hidden singletrack and Malcolm knew so much about local wildlife and history.
The Bottom Line
A truly memorable experience with epic singletrack, lung busting climbs, stunning scenery and great company.
by Victor Prior 19/06/2017
Pre-Trip Service
More Scotch Eggs and better weather.
Trip Comments
I was very impressed after my bike (suspension) was set up properly by Paul my bike then just sailed over everything.
Accommodation and Food
Don't change a thing!
Your Guide
Guides were great but poor taste in (their own) music.
The Bottom Line
Great trip well organised with plenty of good food and good company.
by Kirstin Pellom 16/05/2017
Pre-Trip Service
This was my 4th trip with Wilderness Scotland and the pre-trip service has always been fabulous.
Trip Comments
WS is a first class operation all the way! I had been looking at this trip for several years before deciding to go for it, and it didn't disappoint in any way! Riding coast to coast in and of itself was very satisfying, and I can't imagine a better or more scenic route exists than the one Graham selected for us! We had a fantastic group and great weather, which made it all the more perfect!
Accommodation and Food
The guesthouses were all quaint, clean, comfortable and welcoming. The food provided for tea and lunch greatly exceeded my expectations! The incredible Lucy always surprised us with wonderful treats each day. Lunch was always fresh and interesting. Coffee and tea were always hot and very welcome! Dinner with our group each night at the local pubs and restaurants was always enjoyable.
Your Guide
Graham and Lucy operated as a well oiled machine in every way and complimented each other very well! They both had the most amazing senses of humor and positive attitudes. Graham was clearly very experienced, with extensive local knowledge of the trails. He was encouraging and kept a great pace for the group. We felt like we could slow down and soak up the spectacular scenery or take photos at any time, and still ride hard and make good time on the trails. I would love to join another cycling trip with Graham in the future. Lucy, was absolutely amazing with her support on this trip. I already mentioned how wonderful the food was, but the other support was amazing too. All I had to do every day was wake up and ride, then leave my bike with the van at the end of the day, eat, sleep, repeat. Lucy took care of our luggage and made sure our bikes were clean and in good working order each day. Impeccable service from our guides!
The Bottom Line
Amazing trip. Exceeded my expectations in every way. We had great weather, breathtaking scenery, great guides and a challenging and rewarding ride! Spot on with the rating of 8 I would say. It was physically challenging, but in the best possible way! I'm only sad it's over!
by Michael Burt 12/05/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Excellent guides and great support vehicle
Trip Comments
Great views and we got lucky with the weather
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
Great company, great trip
by Hugh Hover 10/05/2017
Pre-Trip Service
easy to contact, quick replys to questions.
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
The quality and variety of the accomodations was great. Very comfortable and interesting. The Food was really well thought out. Lucy always had suprises for us.
Your Guide
Graham and Lucy were fantastic. I honestly cannot say enough good things about both of them.
The Bottom Line
This is the first time I have been on a supported trip like this. I would normally just wing it myself but after doing the trip with Wilderness Scotland I really see the benefit of going with you. I got to see more of your wonderful country than I would ever have seen on my own.
by Stewart White 10/05/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Guide Graham and Support Vehicle - Lucy's Kitchen were outstanding.
Bed and Breakfast were all excellent.
Trip Comments
Graham and Lucy very knowledgeable and relaxed. Really enjoyed riding with Graham and gleaning the local culture from our meals together with both guides. Both with great sense of humor!
Coffee Time always a good laugh!!
Accommodation and Food
Loved the church B & B the most. Loved all the other B& B equally. Having supper together and a wee dram nightly at the B & B was fantastic.
Your Guide
Graham was fantastic in every way. Approachable, organized, helpful , mechanical, good rider, made the route seem unique to our group, funny.
Lucy was amazing. Lucy's kitchen kept us fed and catered to our quirks. Always prepared and a great complement to Graham ... worked really well as a team.
They made sure all we had to do was focus on riding and having fun as they handled the bikes and accommodations and logistics.
Can't imagine a better team.
The Bottom Line
My first excursion with Wilderness Scotland ... A HOME RUN.
Logistics were flawless, rental bikes were great, guides Graham and Lucy were a team that will be difficult to match.
The " mountain bike across Scotland" accurately rated as an 8 for difficulty. Hard and long but with the right support, the entire group made it. Few falls, sprains, bruises and near drownings (lol) but worth every hard day. The evenings were so much fun breaking bread with the guides and the locals at the B & B's.
If you decide to take on this challenge: be ready for average of 8 hours / day, be prepared to slow yourself down at times to make sure you get that photo that only comes along once in a lifetime, introduce yourself to everyone that looks your way, finish every night with a WEE DRAM for courage. Guaranteed you will walk away saying ... that was worth every $$ and bead of sweat put in! All the best and good luck ... Highland Stew out!
by Urs Meier 08/05/2017
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
the whole trip was great, the landscape, the river crossings (the swimming lessons of stu ;-) ) lucy's kitchen was great and the trails are beeing "moistly" rideable
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
first class service by the guides Lucy and Graham! My swiss english is not enough to descript how good they are- but, thank's for all, it was great with you
The Bottom Line
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.
Prices and Departures
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2017 Trip Dates
2018 Trip Dates
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. (L, D)
Distance 64km
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. (B, L)
Distance 58km
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. (B, L)
Distance 64km
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. (B, L)
Distance 45-60km
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. (B, L, D)
Distance 45km
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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PhonePrices and Departures
124 people viewed this trip in the last week1 Booking in the last 72 hours
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