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    | Cairngorms National Park

    Road Cycling

    The Grand Tour

    98 reviews


    Deposit From: £803£803
    Region: Multi-Location
    Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
    Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book

    Next Departure: 30th - 6th Jul 2025
    Accommodation: Classic

    Grading:

    Carbon Footprint: 137kg ? What does this mean?
    Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      From: £2,975 View Prices & Dates

      Trip Overview

      Created by: Craig Little


      Join us on a fantastic road cycling tour that connects the vibrant capital of Edinburgh to legendary Loch Ness, winding through the breathtaking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

      Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, ride along some of Scotland’s most spectacular and scenic roads on a unique adventure designed by our cycling experts. Enjoy challenging climbs and thrilling descents as you pedal through diverse, beautiful landscapes.

      From Edinburgh, cycle up the coast to the pretty seaside town of St Andrews, continuing inland to climb over the notorious Cairn O’Mount and into the Cairngorms. A stunning ride takes you across the UK’s highest and wildest National Park before dropping into whisky country and weaving through the heathery moorlands to the shores of Loch Ness. Along the way, explore an ancient castle, sample an Arbroath smokie, and stop for delicious lunches at lovely cafes.

      With no need to worry about logistics, or accommodation, relax and enjoy the ride on a wonderful road cycling trip through the beauty of Scotland.

      Need a bike? Road bike hire/rental is included in this itinerary, with an option to upgrade to an E-bike for a supplement. See our bike fleet page for details.

      Marker Icon

      Day by Day
      Itinerary

      Day 1 – Ride Along and Over the Forth Read Less

      Day 1

      Ride Along and Over the Forth

      Meet your Wilderness guides at Edinburgh Gateway Station this afternoon and transfer a short distance to the Kelpies in Falkirk. The largest equine sculptures in the world, this impressive monument represents Scotland’s horse-powered heritage and the shape-shifting aquatic spirit of Scottish folklore. After a bike fit, we set off on the first leg of the adventure as we pedal along to the banks of the Firth of Forth. Along the way, stop to visit the 15th-century Blackness Castle, a formidable fortress built for one of Scotland’s most powerful families. We finish the day with an out-and-back over the impressive Forth Road Bridge before arriving at our first hotel, which sits on the water’s edge in the historic town of South Queensferry.

      Meals Included: Dinner
      Ride Details: 35 km / 22 miles | 250 m / 820 ft

      Day 2 – Kinross, St Andrews and Dundee Read Less

      Day 2

      Kinross, St Andrews and Dundee

      After breakfast, hop in with your guide and head out to Loch Leven Larder (a fantastic farm shop and cafe) to begin today’s ride. From here, we skirt the edge of Lomond Hills Regional Park, enjoying beautiful views of the rolling hills and heathery moors, before picking up part of the National Cycle Network that passes by Falkland Palace. Pedal into St Andrews and dismount to wander around the historic University town known for its medieval streets and coastal views. We continue our ride across the Tay Estuary this afternoon to arrive at our boutique city-centre hotel in Dundee.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 75 km / 47 miles | 650 m / 2,133 ft

      Day 3 – Dundee to Edzell Read Less

      Day 3

      Dundee to Edzell

      We leave the city behind this morning and follow a route that snakes along the East Coast, offering wide-open views and fresh salty air. It is a ride of two halves today – the morning is mostly a steady pedal along the flat, while the latter half is satisfyingly undulating, offering some punchy climbs and nippy descents. Stop in the coastal village of Arbroath and sample the local ‘smokie’ (a hot smoked haddock unique to the local area) before continuing to Montrose, home to a landlocked lagoon providing excellent habitat for wading birds. From here, the route swings inland to arrive in Edzell and our hotel for the night.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 75 km / 47 miles | 510 m / 1,673 ft

      Day 4 – Edzell to Ballater Read Less

      Day 4

      Edzell to Ballater

      Head out today to enjoy a true cracker of a ride. Accompanied by your guide, cycle through the pretty village of Fettercairn before settling in for a challenging but beautifully scenic cycle up Cairn O’Mount. Reaching the top is a great achievement, so look out for the stone cairn that marks the true summit (which is said to be 4000 years old) and enjoy the panoramic views of the wind-swept, heathery hills. After an exciting descent, the remainder of the ride weaves through incredibly picturesque landscapes as we coast through old woodland and across rushing rivers. We finish our day by following the River Dee into Ballater, a charming village in the Cairngorms National Park.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 65 km / 40 miles | 1,010 m / 3,314 ft

      Day 5 – Ballater to Grantown-on-Spey Read Less

      Day 5

      Ballater to Grantown-on-Spey

      After breakfast, clip in and cycle through the UK’s largest and highest National Park. Get ready for some fabulously punchy hairpin bends and long, steady pulls through wild, open moorland. For the first 10 miles, it’s a gradual climb on a quiet road, where you’ll pass the ringing stone (stop to hear its magic) before reaching the Lecht Ski Centre. The views today are vast, making for brilliant and engaging cycling. Later this afternoon, arrive in the village of Tomintoul – the highest in the Highlands and home to one of Scotland’s best whisky shops. From here, pedal up and over the Bridge of Brown and descend into the Spey Valley to our cosy accommodation for the next two nights.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 65 km / 40 miles | 1,080 m / 3,543 ft

      Day 6 – Grantown-on-Spey to Loch Ness Read Less

      Day 6

      Grantown-on-Spey to Loch Ness

      Roll out into the fresh air for your last full day of cycling. From Grantown-on-Spey, ride west through the northern bounds of the Cairngorms National Park along an ancient military road dating back to the 1700s. Look out for buzzards and deer as we pedal along tarmac bordered by heathery slopes, old fields, silver birch, and bright yellow gorse. This afternoon, arrive on the eastern shores of Loch Ness – a beautiful place to bring your point-to-point pedal to a close. Enjoy the views over the water before returning to your Grantown hotel for a delicious, celebratory dinner.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
      Ride Details: 70 km / 43 miles | 530 m / 1,739 ft

      Day 7 – Depart from Aviemore Read Less

      Day 7

      Depart from Aviemore

      Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning, chatting with your fellow riders about the highlights of your adventure. Afterwards, you may like to head out for a final short ride, perhaps pedalling along the banks of the River Spey or enjoying a lovely local loop. There is also the option to spend the morning exploring Grantown-on-Spey or the nearby outdoor adventure-focused village of Aviemore. After a relaxed couple of hours, your guide will drop you off at Aviemore Train Station, where the trip will conclude.

      Meals Included: Breakfast

      X
      Road Cycling
      The Grand Tour

      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

      All payments taken in local currency GBP

      Trip Dates for 2025AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
      30th Jun - 6th Jul 20256 place(s) leftGuaranteed £2,975Book Now
      21st Jul - 27th Jul 20258 place(s) leftAvailable £2,975Book Now
      18th Aug - 24th Aug 20254 place(s) leftGuaranteed £2,975Book Now
      8th Sep - 14th Sep 20258 place(s) leftAvailable £2,975Book Now

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

      Enquire Now
      X
      Road Cycling
      The Grand Tour

      For private departure enquiries, please complete the form below:

      Trip Details

      Accommodation Read More

      This trip features some of the best hotel and guest house accommodation and food along the route. 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 request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £560.00 is charged.

      Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

      Meals Read More

      Breakfast is provided each morning at your accommodation. 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. All evening meals are also included on this itinerary, and we will usually eat our evening meals in the hotel or inn we’re staying in. 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 when they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and help you make any necessary reservations.

      Inclusions Read More
      • 7 days of professional guiding with lead guide plus assistant guide/support driver.
      • 6 nights accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels/ inns/guest houses on a B&B basis.
      • All meals are as stated in the itinerary. (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
      • 7 days of road bike hire/rental included, with an option to upgrade to an E-bike.
      • Vehicle transport throughout, including ride support and luggage transfers.
      • Entrance and admission fees are as stated in the itinerary.
      • Ride snacks and drinks.
      Grading Read More

      Blue Graded 4-6

      Blue graded trips are suitable for people with a good level of bike fitness, who regularly enjoy cycling and may have joined a multi-day cycle holiday before.

      Daily distances will be between 35 – 45 miles, cycling around 12/13mph. Each day will be a rolling and hilly terrain with notable climbs on most days. Some will require more testing, and some riders may push or ride in the support vehicle. Some climbs are also followed by exciting descents. We will be in the saddle for 5 – 7 hours each day, plus the odd longer day. There is also time each day for breaks and lunches, plus some visits to sites of interest.

      Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

      You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Edinburgh Gateway Railway Station at 1.00pm on Day 1 of your trip. The trip will conclude at Aviemore Railway Station at 12.00pm on the final day of the trip.

      Bike Hire / Bring Your Own Bike Read More

      Bike Hire/Rental

      Road bike hire/rental is included in this itinerary, and E-bikes are supported on this trip. If you prefer an E-bike, they are available for a supplement.

      Find Out More.

      Bring Your Own Bike

      You are also more than welcome to bring your own bike. If you’re bringing your E-bike along for the trip, please ensure it has a removable battery. Due to limitations around charging, E-bikes with non-removable batteries cannot be accommodated.

      If you choose to do so, please ensure it’s in excellent working condition and has been recently serviced – either by you or by a reputable bike shop.

      In addition, please bring the following:

      • Multi-tool, including a chain tool
      • Mini pump and/or CO2 canisters
      • Two spare tubes and a puncture repair kit

      Because we will need to load your bike onto one of our trailers, please ensure that:

      • Your rear wheel is clear of any obstructions; including lights, mudguard or panniers
      • Your tyres are no wider than 45mm

      Due to the nature of our trips, we are unfortunately unable to carry bike boxes or bags with us, so please make prior arrangements if necessary.

      If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly and knowledgable sales team are always delighted to answer any queries you may have.

      Speak to an Expert

      Bridget Brown

      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 Bridget a Question

      Difficulty Grades Explained

      Blue Graded 4-6

      Blue graded trips are suitable for people with a good level of bike fitness, who regularly enjoy cycling and may have joined a multi-day cycle holiday before.

      Daily distances will be between 35 – 45 miles, cycling around 12/13mph. Each day will be a rolling and hilly terrain with notable climbs on most days. Some will require more testing, and some riders may push or ride in the support vehicle. Some climbs are also followed by exciting descents. We will be in the saddle for 5 – 7 hours each day, plus the odd longer day. There is also time each day for breaks and lunches, plus some visits to sites of interest.

      Find Out More

      Trip Reviews

      Rated 4.95 out of 5 based on 98 review(s) of Road Cycling – The Grand Tour

       

      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.

      RC

      Ryan Conboy

      Reviewed on 24/09/2024

      Age: 50 - 60
      Country: USA
      Trip Date: 07/09/2024
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      Excellent experience and I’ve already recommended Wilderness Scotland to others. Thank you for the efforts put into our trip.

      BC

      Brendan Conboy

      Reviewed on 18/09/2024

      Age: 40 - 50
      Country: US
      Trip Date: 07/09/2024
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      I would love to do another trip with wilderness Scotland!

      AB

      Alan Braverman

      Reviewed on 07/09/2024

      Age: 70 - 80
      Trip Date: 17/08/2024
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      I've already recommended your compay to at least 10 oeople andI hope they use my name when they sign up.

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