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Scotland

North Coast 500 (NC500) Cycle – Week 1 – Inverness to Durness

May, June, July, Aug, Sept£799 pp

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SUMMARY

North Coast 500 (NC500) Cycle – Week 1 – Inverness to Durness

No. of People: 1

PAYMENT

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TOTAL £999

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Embark on the ultimate cycling adventure along Scotland’s North Coast 500. Traverse 516 miles of wild coastline, mist-shrouded mountains, sparkling lochs, and windswept beaches. From the legendary Bealach na Bà to the remote beauty of Durness, every turn brings breathtaking vistas and unforgettable moments. Ride at your own pace, discover charming villages and Highland hospitality, and experience a journey where nature, adventure, and freedom meet in perfect harmony.

Quick Facts

NC500 Cycling – Quick Facts

Route name: North Coast 500 (NC500)
Start/Finish: Inverness, Scottish Highlands (circular route)
Ride clockwise for the best views and smoother gradients on key climbs.
Direction: Clockwise (Inverness → West Coast → North → East → Inverness)
Terrain: Coastal roads, mountain passes, rolling moorlands, remote single-track sections
Elevation gain: Approx. 8,000–10,000 m overall
Best time to ride: May–September (long daylight, mild weather)
Accommodation: Mix of hotels, B&Bs, and small inns (book early in summer)
Bike type: Touring or endurance road bike (32–35 mm tyres recommended)

Tips for Riders

  • Carry food and spares — facilities are limited on the north and west coasts.
  • Expect changeable weather – pack for wind, rain, and sun in the same day

Fitness level: Moderate–high — daily rides of 40–70 miles (65–110 km)

The approx. total for this stage is: ~260–275 miles / ~420–440 km (leisurely pacing)

About & Details

Route Highlights

  • Bealach na Bà: Scotland’s legendary mountain pass to Applecross — steep, dramatic, unforgettable
  • West Coast wilderness: Torridon, Gairloch, and Assynt – wild landscapes and rugged sea cliffs
  • Ullapool: Vibrant fishing village, perfect mid-route rest and resupply point
  • Kylesku Bridge & Sutherland coast: Sweeping views over sea lochs and mountain peaks
  • Durness & Smoo Cave: Northernmost point of the loop – dramatic cliffs and white-sand beaches
  • John o’ Groats & Dunnet Head: Britain’s northeastern tip – iconic photo stops
  • Easter Ross & the Black Isle: Gentle final miles through farmland and firths, back to Inverness

Inclusions

  • 7 nights’ accommodation in good quality B&Bs or hotels with en-suite or private bathroom and breakfast
  • Fully planned out route with directions and daily distances
  • Preparation advice on fitness/gear before your ride
  • Expert local knowledge and 24-hour emergency assistance during your trip
Exclusions
  • Lunches and evening meals
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
  • Bike and bike equipment. Please contact us for bike hire details

Optional Extras

  • Single room supplement £65 per person per night (subject to availability)
  • Solo traveller supplement £65 per person per night
  • Odd number group supplement £65 per group per night may apply if a single room is required
  • Extra night prior to the start (single room) £170 per person
  • Extra night prior to the start (twin room, needs 2 people) £90 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (single room) £170 per person
  • Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) £90 per person

Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.

Rest days

If you would like a rest day (or more!) included in your itinerary please get in touch with our team.

Supported trip

If you would like to organise a group event with van support please contact our team for availability.

Included in a supported trip:

  • Mechanical assistance
  • Navigation support
  • Snacks and drinks provided
  • Group first aid kit

Need a guide?

If you would like a guide to lead the way, then we are happy to help and can provide a qualified cycle leader, also trained in first aid.  Having a guide with you will not only take the stress out of navigation, but can also be a great asset in providing an insight into all things cycling.

Evening meals and lunches

You can purchase evening meals either at the accommodation or nearby. When our adventure travel planners send you the schedule with your itinerary you could prearrange directly with the accommodation or during the walk.

For lunches we would suggest bringing some of your own favourite snack bars and then asking the accommodation for a packed lunch for the following day and also supplementing that at stops en-route.

Accommodation

Accommodation is generally at B&B, guest houses and small hotels. Once booked in, your adventure travel planner will send you a list of your booked accommodation. It is possible to adjust according to preference at this stage so please mention it if you wish to change.

At the end of your trip

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point and when you arrive at the end of the trail, some people like to treat themselves to a night’s stay at the end.  And why not?  You’ve earned it.  You can arrange this as an optional extra with your adventure travel planner.

Dates and prices

For available dates please click on the ‘book now’ option on the left hand side on desktops or at the bottom on mobiles. You can reserve your space via this route.

After you book

After placing your booking with us, you will in the first instance receive an automated email from our system confirming receipt of your reservation. If you don’t receive it, it is worth checking your spam/clutter folder.

In the process of placing your booking, you will generally set up an access password to our online gateway where you can review the details of the booking.

Your personal adventure travel planner will then be in touch with you to start to confirm the details. This contact will usually be taken up in the working day after receipt of your booking, but may, in busy times, take a little longer. The adventure travel planner will then liaise with you regarding the details of the course. If you have any specific requirements, please do mention it at this stage.

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Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrive in Inverness

    Check into your accommodation 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

    Finish: Back in Durness — 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

Notes:

This is a typical itinerary and a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members’ fitness, and weather conditions or for any other reason. Mileage is approximate.

Tips for Riders

  • Carry food and spares — facilities are limited on the north and west coasts
  • Expect changeable weather – pack for wind, rain, and sun in the same day
The Route

Why book with us

We know you have a choice of companies providing trips for your next adventures. Here are some of the reasons you should choose to travel with Maximum Adventure:

  • We are an established adventure travel business
  • We have been trading since 2002
  • We are financially protected in accordance with the 1992 travel regulation
  • Knowledgeable and available office staff
  • Qualified leaders and guides with ascents ranging from Ben Nevis to Mount Everest
  • All activities are risk assessed
  • We will provide you with the best service available
  • We are aware this is your holiday/your challenge and will do our best to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience
  • We have many repeat clients stretching back over a number of years
20+ years adventure organisation experience
Full liability & financial protection
Leading provider of high quality adventure challenges
Great team of staff to support you