Day 1 - Arrive in Inverness
Activity: Explore the town and relax
Day 2 — Inverness → Lochcarron
Distance: ~60 mi / 95 km
Elevation (approx): moderate rolling hills, ~800–1,200 m total ascent
Why ride: Easy escape from Inverness, scenic coastal and lochside roads to introduce you to Highland gradients without brutal climbs
Food/cafe: village tearooms / local inn
Day 3 — Lochcarron → Applecross (via the Bealach na Bà option)
Distance: ~45 mi / 72 km (direct via Applecross, longer if you do the full Bealach detour)
Climb highlight: Bealach na Bà (if you choose the classic climb) — steep, scenic mountain pass; average grade ~6–7% with pitches up to ~13–15% on the crux. Plan this as a big-effort scenic day
Note: The Bealach is exposed — avoid in poor weather
Day 4 — Applecross → Gairloch
Distance: ~50 mi / 80 km
Elevation: rolling coastal hills, moderate
Why ride: Some of the most beautiful west-coast coastal scenery — quiet single-track sections and viewpoints
Day 5 — Gairloch → Ullapool
Distance: ~55 mi / 88 km
Elevation: moderate; long coastal stretches
Why stop in Ullapool: A proper NC500 service town with cafés, bike-friendly B&Bs, bike shops and ferry access (if you ever detour to islands). Good place to re-supply
Day 6 — Ullapool → Lochinver / Achmelvich
Distance: ~40 mi / 65 km
Elevation: rolling to hilly; quieter remote roads
Why ride: Assynt landscapes, sculpted mountains and remote beaches. Great for photography and shorter day to recover
Day 7 — Lochinver → Kylesku / Scourie
Distance: ~35 mi / 55–60 km
Elevation: easier day, shorter mileage
Why stop: Kylesku Bridge, dramatic coastline, chance to rest before the final leg
Day 8 — Kylesku → Durness
Distance: ~40 mi / 64 km
Elevation: rolling, coastal; keep an eye on headwinds
Why Durness: A perfect week-one finish: remote, dramatic cliffs and Smoo Cave nearby; good services and several small places to stay
Day 9 — Durness → Melvich / Tongue
Distance: ~45 mi / 72 km
Elevation: rolling with coastal exposure
Why ride: Wild beaches and remote north coast. Short stops for food are sparse — carry snacks
Day 10 — Melvich → Thurso (option: detour to Dunnet Head)
Distance: ~35 mi / 56 km (slightly longer if detour to Dunnet Head / John o’ Groats)
Why stop: Thurso is a larger service town with accommodation and shops. A possible detour north to Dunnet Head (Britain’s most northerly point) or a quick spin to John o’ Groats on the east side
Day 11 — Thurso → Wick (coastal riding, easier day)
Distance: ~35 mi / 56 km
Elevation: mainly flat to rolling
Why ride: Easier miles, coastline, chance to visit Castle of Mey (nearby) and John o’ Groats if you didn’t earlier
Day 12 — Wick → Helmsdale
Distance: ~45 mi / 72 km
Elevation: moderate; coastal cliffs and open headlands
Why stop: Great scenery and a good pacing day after the earlier long days
Day 13 — Helmsdale → Brora / Golspie
Distance: ~30–35 mi / 48–56 km (shorter day)
Elevation: rolling, easier day
Why stop: Time to visit Dunrobin Castle (near Golspie), relax and enjoy café culture
Day 14 Day 7 — Brora → Alness / Invergordon (via seaside roads)
Distance: ~45 mi / 72 km
Elevation: rolling, some coastal winds possible
Why stop: Easter Ross and the Cromarty Firth area — more services and good hotels
Day 15 — Alness → Inverness
Distance: ~45 mi / 72 km
Elevation: mostly gentle; final approach via Black Isle or along the firth
Finish: Back in Inverness — congratulations! Time to relax, re-supply and celebrate
This is where your trip with us will end unless you have booked an extra night of accommodation
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