Scottish Highlands Cycling Tour
Riding Days
5
Number of Nights
6
Total Distance
680km
Total Climbing
8,870 metres
Difficulty
4/5
At a Glance
Scottish Highlands. Arguably one of the last great wildernesses in Northern Europe. You’ve probably got an idea in your head of how beautiful it is – mountains, glens, deep dark lochs, stunning coastline, empty tarmac roads and crisp fresh air. Lots of people talk about the Scottish Highlands, but few visit.
It is beautiful, awe-inspiring, and full of tradition and history. The La Fuga Scottish Highlands Cycling Tour promises to deliver all of this and offer you one of the unique experiences you will ever have to ride a bicycle.
Our five-day ride takes in the greatest scenery that Scotland has to offer. From the hidden depths of mysterious Loch Ness, medieval castles ravaged by history, over the highest pass in Scotland, tackling vertiginous coast roads where every corner opens up a stunning new panorama. Eagles, deer, seals, otters, pine martens and whales will be your company rather than traffic. The quiet roads and superb little hotels make this the ideal trip for a group of friends hoping to make memories together. No doubt there will also be a 'wee dram' for those who would like to sample the local customs.
Tour Highlights
-
Asphalt
Our Scottish Highlands Raid is a magical tour through enchanted landscapes and rugged terrain, experiencing peaceful nature and magical hospitality.
Tour Highlights:
- Scale the climb to the top of the feared Bealach na Bà
- Sample some of the famous Single Malt Whiskies
- Take a ferry to the famous Isle of Skye and enjoy the peaceful, uninterrupted views
- Discover the ‘wee mad road’ of Sutherland
- Enjoy the unique wildlife; from the shaggy Highlands cows to the inquisitive seals
Book Tour
Overview
The Region - Scottish Highlands
The natural treasures that abound in this wilderness give the hotels and restaurants dotted over the landscape the perfect larder to prepare mouth-watering local dishes. Seafood and game are often caught within sight of the dining table, and you can be assured of proud hearty wholesome meals, as well as good wine and whisky to finish your evening off.
This is a trip for those who want to plug into nature and recharge their batteries. It is a non-competitive ride, but don’t be fooled: these are some of Europe’s most challenging roads. The Bealach na Bà has the greatest ascent of any climb in the UK, rising from sea level to over 600 metres in 10km, with its upper hairpins resembling a mini Stelvio. Steeper still is the coast roads of Wester Ross and Assynt, which never seem to have any flat sections and a rare gradient of 30% can be attained.
Climate
Scotland’s reputation for changeable weather is a little unfair, though it is true to say that virtually anything is possible. The wettest part of the region is the southwestern end of the Great Glen, where the Atlantic meets Ben Nevis, so we steer clear of this. The Gulfstream means this coastline enjoys weather more commonly associated with Devon, Cornwall or Brittany, and you will see Britain’s most northerly palm trees on your route. The big northwestern skies’ surreal colours are incredible in midsummer, with virtually no complete darkness to speak of as the sun merely dips below the horizon for a few hours.
We choose the late summer month -September, as the best time to visit, being the driest season and affording the longest daylight hours.
The average temperature is only a degree or two below England’s, but you’ll know that there is a broad range possible within that; so rain jackets, arm and knee warmers and gloves are sensible wardrobe additions, but you may well find yourself needing none of them. Regardless your La Fuga support vehicle will be on hand with your day bags for quick clothing changes for the fickle mountain roads.
Gearing
Details
What's Included
- 6 night’s accommodation
- All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotel and local restaurants
- Airport transfers – transfer times to be arranged
- Experienced and local language guides
- Mechanical support/building and packing of bikes
- Support vehicle to follow rides
- Roadside picnics on ride days
- Digital route files for your GPS Devices
- Complimentary sports nutrition
- La Fuga welcome pack
What's not Included
- Flights
- Café or restaurant lunches and coffee stops
- All drinks with meals
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Incidental Expenses
- Parts and spares used during the trip
- Tips and gratuities
- Massages
- Bike Rental option available during the checkout
Itinerary
We will run transfers from Inverness (INV) airport and also from the Rail Station if requested, and take you directly to your hotel in the centre of Inverness after your journey to the Highlands.
Your hotel lies right on the banks of the fast-flowing River Ness, and while you check-in your La Fuga mechanic will start assembling your bikes, and prepare your tour equipment for the coming days. If there’s time we’ll head out for a quick spin to loosen your legs after hours of travel.
Your Tour Manager will host dinner at the hotel in the evening, where you will be officially welcomed to the trip and introduced the fantastic riding to come.
We start by following General Wade’s Old Military Road along the southeastern bank of Loch Ness. This small road rises gradually up to the town of Foyers offering fantastic views of this inspiring piece of water and very quickly you will find yourself a world away from Inverness and anything resembling civilisation. Quickly though you find yourself descending into Fort Augustus with its famous monastery.
The second climb of the day comes halfway through the day as you leave the Great Glen and strike westwards into the heart of glorious Glen Garry. This drag is a steady manageable incline but goes on tilted in the wrong direction for the best part of 13km. Your prize is one of the greatest Highland panoramas as you will have the chance to look down the length of lonely Glen Quoich and beyond into the peaks that guard the way to the Isles.
By the time you reach the shores of Loch Duich, you will have done well to avoid a crick in the neck from taking in the surrounding high peaks. Here, we say goodbye to the beaten track for pretty much the entire duration of our trip. However, you must clamber up the fierce slopes of Mam Ratagan, a high barrier between you and the sleepy Rivendell of Glenelg. The hairpins give you a view back across Loch Duich to the high ridge opposite and the individual tops of the Five Sisters of Kintail, a paradise for Munro baggers.
Kyle of Lochalsh is a world away from the land you’ve left behind, wherever you’ve come from. Hidden from all by the peaks and sea that surround it on all sides. A delicious meal and a comfortable bed await you.


A tiny turntable ferry across the Sound of Sleat begins your day as we travel to the magical Isle of Skye, just a short way from the mainland. Enjoy the seals that play in the wake of the ferry and look out for the wildlife above and below the waves that pass through these straits.
The minute you land on Skye, you’ll be climbing up the winding ramparts of the ‘Bealach Udal’, a prelude for what awaits later. For now, enjoy the descent that provides you with a giddying view of the Cuillin, renowned as one of the world’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. Your short visit to Skye finishes via the bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh. Here begins the three days of riding through Wester Ross, arguably Scotland’s most beautiful and overlooked region.
In the distance, the monstrous buttress of Sgurr a’ Chaorachain guards this Raids highest pass, the feared ‘Bealach na Ba’. We warm up by climbing away from Loch Carron and down into pretty Kishorn, but from here is no respite for the next 10km. The hairpins at the top are Scotland’s answer to the Stelvio and are preceded by a sustained ramp of 20% that tests your will and determination. But at the top, you are met with a view to rival most others. Simply stunning.
From the top of Bealach na Ba you are rewarded with a long descent into the village of Applecross. Beware the cattle the grid that guards the road into the town. Once complete you now face the challenge of the coastal road that takes you around the peninsula all the way to Shieldaig. Do not be fooled by the route elevation profile. Many a strong cyclist has given their all to conquer the Bealach and then been defeated by the short sharp ramps that characterise this final part of the day’s riding. The day’s riding is beautiful but challenges you to the end.
We ride thru Torridon with its enormous peaks that loom all around you, as you follow the road through Glen Torridon under Beinn Eighe and then along the silent length of lonely Loch Maree. This road carries that proud epithet of being an ‘A’ road, but we will be surprised if we meet any traffic on it.


The scenery becomes wilder and bleaker as the road heads up the long, steady ascent of Fain Pass. Two immense Munros dominate this section of the route. A Teallach up to your right and the brooding bulk of Ben Wyvis on the skyline. Corries of snow are often seen on these giants’ northern flanks right into high summer. Fain is long, but its wide, sweeping 10-mile descent will put a smile on
any cyclist’s face.
By now you’ll be getting used to the warm and welcoming Scottish hospitality as another hearty meal ends your third day of riding, washed down, maybe with a different Whisky before bed.


The high ridges and charismatic peaks of Coigach and Assynt lie beyond Ullapool. These mountains are dramatically different to those of the West Highlands that you have left behind. Prehistoric monoliths thrust upwards out of the surrounding wilderness. Even their names speak of a time long forgotten. Suilven, Canisp and Quinag look and sound like nothing else. Your route now takes a tiny ribbon of the road out into the wild, passing below the foot of the impossibly arresting pinnacle of Stac Polaidh.
The narrow road skims lochs and coastline. The view westward takes in the stunning Summer Isles until we reach the day’s halfway point in Lochinver. It may only be 45 km and you never rise higher than 150 metres above sea level, but the road from here to Loch Assynt is among the hardest in the country, and this is a country renowned for hard roads.
Mention the ‘Mad Wee Road’ to anybody who has ventured to these parts and they will tip their hat to you for having travelled it. They may well eat it when you tell them you cycled it. Some stretches reach a scarcely believable 30%, and every corner seems to bring yet another backbreaking incline. When you finally skirt the northern slopes of the dramatic Quinag it is time to let go a whoop of delight and begin the final descent.
You have earned dinner in another fabulous location, this time the wonderful Loch Shin, where you will have the entire lodge for your group. We will have our dinner in the private dining room and once again enjoy locally sourced fresh langoustine and game.


Your final day in the saddle is different again, finally leaving the rugged Gaelic northwest to skim along the rolling deserted glens that lead you back to the Pictish east coast.
Your last few northerly kilometres rise and fall in a manner you’ll have become used to, if not friendly with, taking you through the picturesque little fishing harbour of Scourie and past what purport to be the world’s most northerly palm trees. Very few visitors venture into the beautiful wilds of Sutherland.
In fact, when you swing inland to traverse the nation at one of its narrower points, you will be on a road famous for being the least-used ‘A’ road in Britain. After the brutal cragginess of the coast road you have followed for the last few days, the
flowing nature of the route through this remote hinterland will come as a relief. The gentle expanse of Loch Shin is your companion for the middle part of the ride.
As you pass through the famous gorge of the Falls of Shin, look down when you can to the fomenting torrent and try to spot leaping salmon battling the odds to swim upstream. The last climb of note if you’re not completely inured to them by now awaits. The punishing gradient of Cadha Mor offers an incredible view out into the Dornoch Firth and makes cresting the summit well worth the effort.
We craftily avoid the busy A9 until the last moment, using its cycle path to swoop down into Inverness on the high suspension bridge over the Moray Firth. Prove your local integration by calling it the “Murray” Firth over dinner, back where we
started: older, wiser, more exhausted but more profoundly satisfied.


A day to relax and enjoy your last few hours in Scotland. Your bike will be packed up ready for your flight home. We’ll then make the final transfer back to Inverness airport in time for your flight. Kick back and savour the memories of great weeks riding.
Accommodation
Nestling in the vibrant and modern Highland capital of Scotland – Inverness – Royal Highland Hotel is a true delight. It offers a unique marriage of historical majesty and grandeur with modern hospitality. It is dynamic, and ever-moving with modern demand yet preserves the very best of its own heritage.
Fond memories and nostalgia are borne out of its fascinating history and evolution to today’s proud position as one of the most interesting and popular hotels in Highland Scotland.
Guests savour two feasts here – the unmistakable hospitality and classical culinary experience of the grand hotel and the freedom of one of the least crowded parts of Western Europe. Vibrant Inverness has an enormous appeal as an outstanding destination base from which to enjoy and savour a veritable kaleidoscope of activities.
The Kyle Hotel is situated in the small highland town of Kyle of Lochalsh, the gateway to the Isle of Skye, on Scotland’s spectacular west coast.
Billed as wild and wonderful, Kyle of Lochalsh brings together the best of Scotland. You can enjoy the view of the surrounding rugged mountain terrain and the stunning seafront.
The Restaurant at the Kyle Hotel, offers classic British and traditional Scottish cuisine, specialising in fresh, locally sourced seafood and produce.
A warm welcome awaits you at The Loch Maree Hotel in Gairloch, Ross-shire, which is set in some of the most breathtaking scenery on the west coast of Scotland.
Situated beside the picturesque Loch Maree, this hotel was built in 1872 and once hosted Queen Victoria as a guest.
Harbour House is a family-run lochside bed and breakfast. They are situated on the shores of Loch Broom, with stunning views of the Loch and Beinn Nam Ban. The house is located just a short stroll from the centre of the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool, with busy village life and many cafés, shops, bars and restaurants.
A small family-run hotel – the Overscaig House sits at the heart of Sutherland in the Northern Highlands of Scotland and our guests enjoy the peace and tranquillity of its wonderful location overlooking Loch Shin.
It is a wonderful area, rich in wildlife, birds, history & archaeology as well as being superb for outdoor pursuits. The Overscaig is an ideal base to explore all the attractions of the Northern Highlands.