Scottish Highlands

Part of United Kingdom › Scotland

Why cycle in the Scottish Highlands?

In the Scottish Highlands you cycle for hours without seeing a car, over narrow roads with passing places, past lochs and under bare mountains. The weather is changeable and the distances between villages are long, but those who experience it have one of the most beautiful cycling experiences in Europe.

The Highlands are famous and notorious. Famous for their beauty, notorious for the weather. But anyone who rides here quickly forgets the rain: lochs, barren mountains, empty roads and the freedom to camp almost anywhere. Has anyone ever heard of bikepacking?

The most beautiful cycling areas

Applecross and the West Coast

The Bealach na Bà to Applecross climb rises from sea level to 626 meters, with sections up to 20% and hairpin bends like in the Alps. One of the toughest climbs in Great Britain. Along the west coast, the single-track roads follow the lochs and bays, with views of the islands.

Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and Fort William

The road through the Glencoe valley is spectacular, but busy: head out early in the day. On Rannoch Moor you cycle through one of the emptiest landscapes in Europe. Fort William lies in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain, and is the start of the Great Glen to Inverness along Loch Ness.

Cairngorms and Aviemore

The Cairngorms National Park is located in the middle of Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee, with Aviemore as the outdoor capital. For gravel enthusiasts, it is one of the best places in the country: the Burma Road is a climb of about 4.5 kilometers with 500 meters of elevation gain over surprisingly beautiful gravel, followed by a long descent with views of the Cairngorms. Read our story Searching for gravel heaven in Aviemore, Scotland.

Isle of Skye

The island of Skye is located on the northwest coast and is absolutely stunning to cycle around, both on the road and off it. The Quiraing is probably the most visited and photographed place, but there are also beautiful places further along.

Long routes and bikepacking

• North Coast 500: a round trip of over 800 kilometers from Inverness along the north and west coast. A classic for a multi-day trip; keep in mind that it is popular with campers in the summer.

For gravel and bikepacking, the network of old military roads, forest paths, and estate roads is impressive. The Badger Divide runs from Glasgow to Inverness, mostly unpaved. The Highland Trail 550 is a notorious, tough bikepacking route through the wildest parts of the Highlands. Thanks to Scottish access rights, you can camp almost anywhere in the wild, respecting nature.

Two of the most famous long tours of Great Britain also end here: the LEJOG, From Land’s End to John o’Groats, and the GB Divide. You can find their day stages through the Highlands in our route database.

Your Cycling base

Inverness is the capital of the Highlands, with an airport and the start of the North Coast 500. Fort William is the base for Glencoe, Ben Nevis and the Great Glen. Aviemore It is the outdoor capital of the Cairngorms. And anyone who wants to drive the Bealach na Bà sleeps in the remote Applecross.

When are you leaving?

May, June and September are the best months: longer days and fewer mosquitoes (midges) than in July and August. The weather can change at any time; always bring warm and waterproof clothing.

Travel tips

• Single-track roads: Use the passing lanes, also to let cars pass behind you.
• Inventory: The distances between villages are long. Take plenty of food and water with you and fill up at every shop or café along the way.
• Cutting: In July and August there are many mosquitoes, especially in the west. Take mosquito repellent with you.
• Wild campingThanks to Scottish access rights, it can be found almost anywhere, respecting nature and the farmers. Or sleep in a bothy, a simple, free mountain hut.

How do you get there?

Fly to Inverness or Glasgow. The train lines to Kyle or Lochalsh and Fort William are among the most beautiful in Europe and take bicycles with them (reservations required).