Though there’s no guide on the road with you, you’ll benefit instead with the services of a soigneur, who will take care of the details, and is a qualified bike mechanic who will provide bike assistance and routine bike care throughout the trip. And so the time to start preparing the kit had arrived. Experience Scotland's beautiful North Coast in this 5 day epic adventure by bike. We have designed this itinerary to incorporate activities and attractions along the route – not as a non stop cycle route. Leaving the beauty of the Lake District National Park and on to the border with Scotland via Hadrian’s wall. Travel our North Coast 500 cycling holiday to experience a satisfying active journey – swap four wheels for two! 18 Sept - 24 Sept 2021. STARTS Liverpool, UK Twenty-seven years later, the North Highland Initiative created a 500-mile route around Scotland’s most northerly coastal roads. The Lake District park is followed by the Yorkshire Dales park and finally the Peak District park. Road trip Scotland's answer to Route 66 with this comprehensive NC500 travel guide. Otherwise this morning’s cycle you will follow the route through the villages of Beauly, Muir of Ord and Contin. What did you eat and drink while cycling the NC500? How about a Self Guided version of this tour. Following the iconic bikers route ‘The North Coast 500’ you ride to the most northerly point in the British Isles, John o’Groats. This blog will hopefully give any potential cyclists an insight into what to bring and how to prepare! The North Scotland 500 is a cycle friendly route that closely follows Scotland's famous North Coast 500, starting from Inverness. You just have to see it! The road from Contin to Garve can be particularly dangerous for cyclists – check out a suggested alternative route. Posted in: Touring. Full use of all hotels’ leisure facilities. This route has been recently branded the “North Coast 500” and has been a huge hit with Scots and tourists alike. 12/09/23 – 22/09/23. Due to massive demand for this tour we will be running it 5 times in 2021. From there, you'll venture to some of the most northerly coastal points in Scotland, passing by Caithness and John o' Groats before heading south again through Dingwall and finally back to Inverness. Explore Day. The three new guided road cycling tours range from 7-11 days and from 250 to 500 miles in length with a starting price of £1795 for the ‘Highlights’ route. Enter your email address below and we will send you all of our latest news, events and offers straight to your inbox. Experience the unique scenery of the west coast from rugged coastlines, white sandy beaches to dramatic mountain peaks. You may wish to stop at the Coul House Hotel for a mid-morning coffee break before continuing on along the route or stock up on some nutritious snacks for lunch at a village store along route. A sensible mix of vented kit and waterproofs with some base layers should cover all eventualities. The perfect trip for any major golfing fan! Ride along the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond through the Trossachs National Park and south past Glasgow to visit Gretna Green, where generations of English lovers were married against their parents’ wishes. A day off the bike to explore Edinburgh. This more bike-friendly course takes in smaller roads on the West Coast, that motorhomes and caravans can't go on and away from the busy A9 on the East Coast, as well as including the beautiful Black Isle. STARTS South East, UK It’s the Most Beautiful Drive on Earth! 13/09/22 – 23/09/22 Climb Calton Hill overlooking the city, or the Scott Monument, walk through the ‘Auld Toon’, take a ghost tour and visit the churches of St Giles, Greyfriars and the Canongate. Take a trip on the wild side and rest your weary head where you like, Luxury must be comfortable otherwise it is not luxury at all, Savour some of Scotland's best seafood, local produce & distilleries, For those on the go looking for all of the information at their fingertips, The perfect membership to travel the route with ease and style, Travelling in a group? This version of the North Coast 500 is ideal for cyclists who prefer to travel at their own pace, and have a bit more flexibility. Then the North Coast 500 is for you! A day to explore Edinburgh, ancient capital of Scotland called the ‘Athens of the North’. BEST TIME TO GO: March to October. If you’re on your own bike then you just need to make your way to Holyhead for the first evening of the itinerary. Ride the Peak District National Park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Cairngorms National Park, the Trossachs National Park and the Lake District National Park. STARTS Liverpool, UK You've been subscribed to our list! It was four years since my last visit to Scotland, and I ended up returning in a most unexpected way.A few months ago I’d never even heard of the North Coast 500; now I’ve only gone and cycled it.. Can’t make the dates? Of course, we run a 10 day Ireland trip that finishes the day before this trip starts and these are designed to be done back to back, click here for more info. 52 likes. On the Classic trip we tackle the 500mi/800km route over 10 saddle days. Journey through some of the most spectacular roads and scenery in Europe. We cross into Scotland and cruise to the capital city Edinburgh, where we have a day off to explore this ancient capital. Ride the Great Glen, the banks of Loch Lomond, the North Coast 500, and the infamous ‘Cat and Fiddle’ road in the peak district. Ride the roads voted the best by Irish bikers and discover this amazing country and its fascinating history. Select Date. Join our e-newsletter to be the first to find out about new tour releases, special offers and all the latest from the Magellan community. Explore the jagged Cuillin mountains and the rugged landscape of the Isle of Skye. #Scotland's #NC500 itinerary takes you on a loop from Inverness to John o' Groats and back down passing white beaches, villages and distilleries. The route starts and finishes in Inverness. Rockvilla Restaurant – located in Lochcarron, enjoy an array on wonderful ingredients, creating the most innovative of dishes. Today you’ll drive through the rest of the North West Highlands Geopark so it … Sorry but full itineraries are only available to North Coast 500 members. Holyhead but if you are renting a motorcycle then the tour will start from our rental facility in the south-east of England near London and we’ll help with arrangements getting up to Holyhead. Lochinver to Ullapool. © 2018 North Coast 500 | All Rights Reserved | Design by. North Coast 500 - Distance: 816.99 km - Elevation: 2029 hm - Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom The trail passes castle ruins, endless beaches, mountain ranges and natural wonders like the 'Smoo Cave', a mystical limestone sea cave, which displays a spectacular cascading waterfall in wet weather. 2,200 miles of classic roads across the Brecon Beacons, Lake district and Scottish Highlands. Full kit and packing lists are supplied and we are happy to offer advice on packing for any of the trips. You can hire bikes and equipment with: We all hope for an adventure without mechanical issues, but, if you and your bike do face a problem there are a number of bike workshops around the NC500 on hand to help, find out more here. The District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland have flat to rolling topography. In August 2016 four of us tackled the NC500 as a rehearsal for our round the world cycle trip. From here we find ourselves on a 2000 year old Roman road before turning into the Lake District National Park itself. A taste of how rugged and deserted Scotland can be today as you ride a coastal circuit of the Isle of Skye. While many NC500 travellers spend one night in a handful of different locations as they travel the route, a large proportion of visitors opt to set up base in a number of locations around the route – spending two or three nights in each place and getting to know the different regions that make up the route. This slightly alternative North Coast 500 was made in collaboration with the people behind the official driving route, to make an official NC500 Cycle Route. 14/09/21 – 24/09/21 From Achnasheen, you will follow the A890 – cycling alongside Loch Gowan on the left and the beautiful Ledgowan Forest on the right. Get inspired for your next cycling adventure! Seven nights; eight days of cycling on quiet, single-track paved roads along the new North Coast 500 route from Strathcarron to Inverness via John O’ Groats. Heading west on the The North Coast 500 again, you then turn south and follow the scenic ‘West Coast Drive’ to the beautiful Isle of Skye. For general information on planning and preparing for motorcycle trips including what to pack please see our Prepare for your trip section. Covering close to 530 miles according to our GPS, the route naturally follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands of Scotland, taking in the regions of Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the … It is a Country with rugged landscapes that will see you riding the hills and glens, past soaring mountains and deep lochs, and experiencing the awesome route that is the ‘North Coast 500’. The brilliant route around Scotland's north coast by touring bike over 10 days in July 2019. Save money with a Clan Membership for up to 4 people. Walk in the footsteps of Roman legions following roads they laid out and explore Hadrian’s wall, the ancient barrier erected to keep out the marauding scots almost 2000 years ago. Pick up some supplies when cycling through Lochcarron and cook up a feast at Sanachan Bunkhouse. Day 3 If you have never toured in Scotland you have been missing out. Not all of our accommodation providers provide cycle facilities. Itineraries are based on main seasonality opening times from March to September – remember to pre book meals/activities/tours. The North Coast 500, often described as Scotland’s Route 66, take in some of Scotland’s most impressive wild places, from the mountains and lochs of Wester Ross … In 1988, The Proclaimers penned Scotland’s alternative national anthem: I’m Gonna Be (500 miles). At the time, Mark, who set a record for cycling 18,000 miles around the world in 2008, said: “This ride is the furthest I’ve ridden in one non-stop outing by a very long way. 10 Nights accommodation in good quality hotels. Visit the battlefield at Culloden where the Jacobite uprising of 1745-46 was brought to a bloody end by the duke of Cumberland. Meet like-minded cyclists before you make your way along the North Coast 500! 04/09/2021 – 24/09/2021. In the last of these three parks you will ride the famous ‘cat and fiddle’ road down to your hotel near Ashbourne. Please adjust accordingly to  your capabilities as this itinerary is aimed at the serious cyclist. Leaving Edinburgh behind, you head north to the original Scottish capital of Perth, and continue through the Cairngorms National Park to Inverness. Continuing this spectacular coastal ride you pass castles and ride narrow causeways en route to your hotel in Durness. 5 days on the North Coast 500 will give you a good amount of time to see many of the sights along the way. - See 703 traveler reviews, 807 candid photos, and great deals for Inverness, UK, at Tripadvisor. Meet up with your fellow Magellanites and your guide in Holyhead before a beautiful ride through the forest of Bowland Area of Natural Beauty. Always one for a challenge, but unwilling to walk 500 miles, I set about trying to cycle the route non-stop, laying down a time-to-beat on Scotland’s 21 day guided tour of the British Isles exploring the best biking road, historical sights, national parks and more. Then on past Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles, before visiting the site of the massacre at Glencoe, on the ride to your hotel in Oban. Become a member to unlock itineraries. The North Coast 500 snakes its way through some of the most incredible places. Heading back south through the lakes we ride to the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and through the Forest of Bowland, before continuing south to the Peak District National Park. Combine this tour with our 10 day Ireland tour for a free night's stay in between and £200 off per person... North Coast 500, Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye. Organised Cycling Tours on Scotlands North Coast 500 fully supported by AMS Outdoors. From here we hop onto the famous North Coast 500 route heading to the most northerly point in the UK, where you stop off at the largest inhabited castle in Scotland. 11 day Guided Tour 14/09/2021 - 24/09/2021 11 day Guided Tour 13/09/2022 - 23/09/2022 11 day Guided Tour 12/09/2023 - 22/09/2023 Select Rider Type “This was a truly wonderful trip – fun, relaxing, physically challenging, and beautiful. Spend 11 days exploring the magical scenery of Scotland, the famous NC500, the glorious isle of Skye and the National parks of North England. Day Zero. North Coast 500 cycle tour, a unique experience. The North Highlands are a superb location for cycling and mountain biking. Back on the mainland we ride east and join the Great Glen at Invergarry. North Coast 500. From rugged landscapes, heritage sites and castles all the way through to the most amazing roads! Say farewell to the rest of touring buddies and depart for home. Visit the site of the Glencoe massacre, and the battle of Culloden. Carron Restauant – a family run restaurant near Strathcarron (slightly of the main route). Bringing together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands. With it being the UK however it could be sunshine, rain or anything in between. We hope you've enjoyed a taste of what's in itineraries. Historic Scotland, lochs, glens, castles, distilleries, mountains and the beautiful North Coast 500 route combine to give a fabulous touring experience of England and its beautiful northern neighbour. How about a Self Guided version of this tour? We will be following the official NC500 route as far as Melvich but for a number of safety reasons have chosen not to continue with the official route past this point as it takes us on the very busy A9 dual carriageway. Cycling 500 miles around the Scottish coastline in 7 days is a tough ride but the spectacular scenery that you will cycle past is worth every pedal stroke. You will cover approximately 40 miles this afternoon, take a rest from the pedals and soak up the scenery in Achnasheen with a picnic. All our itineraries are based on suggestions alone. Cycling adventure of the week: Scotland’s North Coast 500. Members also get a 10% discount on all merchandise purchased online, receive FREE gifts (selected membership only), get access to exclusive goodies and much more. Sustainability Starting your NC500 adventure: Rather than take the main NC500 driving route – you may wish to take the head to Contin via the Sustrans National Cycle Route (more info here). 5 Day North Coast 500 Itinerary. However, as the going is slower in some parts than others, we’ve tried to balance this itinerary so you get fairly similar amounts of driving time each day. Riding the North Coast 500 (NC500) by motorcycle is a must for anyone touring Scotland, or indeed the UK. Travel/Breakdown insurance covering repatriation back to the UK. 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