The North Coast 500: Highlights

Day 1 – West to the NC500

This morning we’ll meet at the railway station in Inverness. From there, a 1-hour transfer takes us to the tiny village of Achnasheen in Wester Ross. Here we have lunch and do a bike fitting before starting our ride – a leisurely route with more downhill than uphill, past beautiful Loch Maree to reach the coast at Gairloch. Here we settle into our hotel for the night and enjoy a welcome dinner. (L, D)

Ride details: 47 km/29 miles | 450 m/1,473 ft elevation gain

Day 2 – North to the Gorge

Riding from the door of the hotel, we hug the coastline of Wester Ross, passing mountains, moors and wild scenery as we ride north and then east along the NC 500. We end the day’s ride at the impressive Corrieshalloch Gorge. From here, we jump in the van for a 15-minute transfer into the pretty port of Ullapool, thus avoiding a short section of busy road. Settle into the hotel and then explore the village with its scenic waterfront and good pubs and restaurants. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 69 km/43 miles | 1,147 m/3,763 ft elevation gain

Day 3 – The Mad Road

We start today with a cycle that takes you directly under one of Scotland’s most iconic small mountains, Stac Pollaidh. We reckon this is up there with one of the best day rides in Scotland! Explore the stunning Coigach peninsula with views across beautiful beaches backed by impressive mountains. We ride north along the coast to reach the port of Lochinver, where we’ll pause for lunch. We’ll then head north following ‘the wee mad road’. Your legs will soon realise why it has this name! We finish at a lovely hotel on the water’s edge. You can rest now – we’re here for 2 nights. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 89 km/55 miles | 1,470 m/4,822 ft elevation gain

Day 4 – Rest Day with Boat Trip

We’re at the halfway point so we take a day off riding to recover. A van trip north, followed by a short ferry ride takes us across to Handa Island, a stunning wildlife reserve with incredible views of the north-west coast of Scotland and its distinctive mountainous scenery. Handa is home to one of Europe’s largest seabird colonies, including important numbers of guillemots and razorbills. On the island’s moorlands look out for great skua or ‘bonxie’ and arctic skuas. Stroll among the ruins of the old village abandoned by the last inhabitants in 1847 and from the clifftops try and spot dolphins, whales or basking sharks. In the afternoon you can relax at the hotel, or perhaps enjoy a short walk along the coast. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Reaching the North Coast

Riding from the door of the hotel, we set out on what is the most challenging day of the trip (remember that our support van is always available to give you a boost if required!). If you thought the scenery had been wild so far, it’s about to step up a notch! We’ll ride on rolling roads as we head north to reach the north coast at the tiny village of Durness. Turning east now, we weave around a couple of notable inlets before, just 10 miles from home, there’s a testing climb of 200m elevation gain. Make it to the top and it’s an easy coast down to the village of Tongue and our hotel for the night. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 107 km/66 miles | 1,461 m/4,619 ft elevation gain

Day 6 – East to Thurso

A shorter ride today after the exertions of yesterday. We ride from the hotel, following the road east past lovely beaches and bold, isolated peaks. It’s a short but ‘lumpy’ ride, with several short but quite steep climbs, so your legs will be glad when we reach our hotel to check-in. With just a short ride to go tomorrow, we enjoy a celebratory dinner at our hotel. (B, L, D)

Ride details: 93 km/58 miles | 1,063 m/3,488 ft elevation gain

Day 7 – True North and John O’Groats

Riding from the hotel door, we set out on the final leg of this journey. Rather than head directly to John O’Groats, we detour to a viewpoint on Dunnet Head, which is actually the most northerly point on the Scottish mainland. We then continue around the coast to reach John O’Groats, the most northerly village on the Scottish mainland. Here, we can pose next to the iconic mileage sign and share stories with any ‘LeJoG’ riders over a coffee. All too soon, it’s time to go and we transfer south back to Inverness, arriving late afternoon. (B, L)

Ride details: 32 km/20 miles | 236 m/774 ft elevation gain