Highlands coast to coast mountain bike holiday

This mountain bike holiday in Scotland is now firmly established as a Skedaddle favourite and it’s easy to see why!

If you are looking for a challenging week of mountain biking in dramatic scenery, then this trip is for you.

You can’t get wilder and more beautiful landscapes than the Scottish Highlands and this classic off road mountain bike route, from Loch Hourn on the West coast across to Montrose on the east coast is a delight.

Covering some 235 miles, we'll be riding along ancient drovers roads, weaving our way through dense forests, enjoying the wild singletrack of the Grampians and Cairngorm mountains and skirting spectacular lochs on what is a very special week of riding.

With at least two riding guides and a support vehicle for back up and transfering your luggage, you'll be provided with hearty picnic lunches, and be well looked after all the way!

With this trip now a regular fixture on many people's diaries (some now on their fifth trip!), we advise that you book up quickly.

Detailed Itinerary:
Day One - Saturday - Arrival into Glasgow
With easy access by plane, train or car, the meet up point for the trip is at Glasgow International Airport. The meeting time of 11am provides us with plenty of time to transfer you to our first night’s accommodation, Invershiel, near to the start of tomorrow’s riding. We arrive on the west coast of Scotland mid to late afternoon, leaving plenty of time to get our bikes out and check they are ready for the journey ahead. Tonight’s evening meal provides a chance to chat with the Skedaddle guides about the schedule for the next week with the guides.

Day Two - Sunday - Glenelg to Glen Garry - Total distance - 40 miles
An early start today for our first days ride and a short 20 minute transfer to Glenelg. With great views across to Skye and the dramatic Cullins mountains, even at this early stage, you’ll begin to get a real flavour of the amazing scenery to come. Our journey takes us along the shore of the beautiful Loch Hourn, via a scenic quiet road, to Corran where we turn east and head inland. A rough track takes us up Glen Arnisdale past Dubh Lochann. We cross the river at the mouth of the loch and our track changes to a path that leads us up the valley over the pass at Gleann Dhubh Arnisdale. At the head of the valley we turn east towards Kinlochhourn where the route joins a quiet country road. With today’s major off road sections behind us, this road takes up to Loch Quoich where we follow the northern shore into Glen Garry and our night’s accommodation. Time for a well deserved bath (optional!?!), meal and good nights sleep.

Day Three - Monday - Glen Garry to Fort Augustus - Total distance - 21-30 miles
A shorter day today, in order to recover from yesterday’s exertions, relax the muscles a little and prepare for the long days of biking ahead. After a hearty breakfast we head east along Glen Garry through the forest to the southern shore of the loch. At Mandally we hit the famous Great Glen and follow the 'Great Glen Cycle Route' into Invergarry. We turn north east up the Great Glen to Bridge of Oich where the route follows the towpath of the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus at the southern point of Loch Ness. The afternoon is free for some Nessie spotting on the Loch or some additional riding on the local tracks. We take dinner in one of the great pubs in Fort Augustus.

Day Four - Tuesday - Fort Augustus to Kingussie - Total distance - 35 miles
With our toughest day ahead we start early. Setting off from Fort Augustus we head across the Corrieairack Pass on General Wade’s old Military Road. At 772 metres this is the highest point on the whole route. This is a tough and long climb followed by a technical and exhilarating descent. This is mountain biking in Scotland at its wildest and dramatic best. Once over the pass our route picks up the River Spey at Melgrave from where we follow the river downhill to Garva bridge and then a country road to Laggan. The final section for the day is the ride along the valley to Kingussie for a relaxing evening and the opportunity to share stories over a wee dram of whisky. (This section is weather dependant. If the weather makes the route impassable we will have to take an alternative route via Spean Bridge and Glen Spean).

Day Five - Wednesday - Kingussie to Tomintoul - Total distance - 46 miles
After yesterday’s exertions another day of great biking lies ahead, less strenuous but just as much fun. A ride through Inshriach Forest provides some great mountain biking with some Skedaddle cheeky climbs, singletrack and a ford at Allt Chromhraig to negotiate. We follow the Spey Valley north-east before turning eastward through Rothiemurchus Estate. After a stop at the visitor centre at Glenmore Forest Park, the route takes us along forest tracks and singletrack through the Braes of Abernethy to Bridge of Avon and then onto the village of Tomintoul.

Day Six - Thursday - Tomintoul to Ballater - Total distance - 34 miles
Another amazing off road day as we skirt the east side of the Cairngorm Mountains. From Tomintoul we head south following a track up the side of the River Avon and into Glen Builg. We travel on past Loch Builg. With spectacular mountains to the west our route takes us up and over the side of Culardoch before descending down to Invercauld House near Braemar. The final part of the day sees us follow the River Dee down the valley past the Queen's country house at Balmoral (let’s hope Phil’s got the kettle on!) and onto Ballater for a few more ‘wee’ drams.

Day Seven - Friday - Ballater to Edzell - Total distance - 39 miles
Our last full day of riding, and what a day! After a short flat ride along the Dee to Dinnet we turn south up Glen Tanar and through the Forest of Glen Tanar. The path ‘Mounth Road’ is a technical singletrack route that takes us up and round the side of Mount Keen. From here its all downhill (steep in places) to Glen Esk. Our routes then follows the river Esk to the picturesque village of Edzell for the final night of our trip and celebration time, the mountains are behind you.

Day Eight - Saturday - Edzell to Montrose - Total distance - 15 miles - Transfer back to Glasgow
After fuelling up with a traditional full Scottish breakfast, we cycle the final 15 miles from Edzell to Montrose where you can dip your wheel in the North Sea. Congratulations, you have just completed the Skedaddle Highlands Coast to Coast! With a real sense of satisfaction we make the journey back to Glasgow where mid to late afternoon we drop you at Glasgow Airport to catch flights home, pick up your cars or transfer you to Glasgow Central station - Memories of a great journey, fantastic scenery and wild mountain biking will be definitely swirling around your head.

Equipment
We provide everything except personal equipment, clothing and a bike (although you can hire bikes if required). Apart from your emergency tool kit & spare inner tube you will not be required to take any extra equipment. If you are planning to bring your own bike we strongly advise a well maintained / serviced mountain bike with a minimum of 24 gears and at least front suspension as well as tyres with an appropriate level of tread.

What the price doesn't include
(A)  Bike and helmet hire (if required, £100).
(B)  Personal clothing and equipment.
(C)  Insurance (if required, £16).
(D)  All evening meals.
(E)  Lunches on the first and final Saturday.
(F)  Transport to Glasgow before and from Glasgow after the tour.
(G) Single room option.