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Traverse the Scottish Highlands from west to east coast over 6 days with your expert guide! Riding here presents a thrilling challenge even for experienced MTB enthusiasts, while magical vistas and great food and culture make you experience this unique country in an adrenaline-driven way and far from major urban centers. Enjoy full days of riding in a combination of demanding and laidback terrain and unwind in quality accommodations in picturesque villages, estates, or beside gorgeous lochs.
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The meet-up point for this adventurous retreat in Scotland is at Glasgow International Airport (GLA). Make sure to book a flight or get to the airport before 11am—the meeting time. What follows is a transfer to Invershiel, situated on the west coast of Scotland. Your first night’s accommodation is scenically positioned by the shores of Loch Duich— the perfect base for the biking journey which starts the following day. The evening on Day 1 is reserved for a gear check, going over the final details of the itinerary, and getting to know your guides and fellow mountain bikers over dinner!
Meals: No meals included
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Following an early Scottish breakfast, the adventure starts with a short transfer to Corran where your biking journey begins. Your 6-day traverse starts with style—relish the dramatic landscapes across the Isle of Skye and the jagged peaks of the Cullins. A strenuous track takes your group to Glen Arnisdale past Dubh Lochain, over the pass at Gleann Dhubh Lochain, and then down towards Kinlochhourn, where the route joins a picturesque country road. This road will take you up to and along Loch Quoich, meandering your way into Glen Garry and taking a forest trail to the loch’s southern shore. At Mandally, you will hit the famous Great Glen Cycle Route taking you to Invergarry. Turning up the Great Glen to Bridge of Oich and following the path along the Caledonian Canal, you will end up in Fort Augustus, situated at the southern point of Loch Ness.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 47 miles / 74 km
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Starting in Fort Augustus, get a few miles under your wheels before a face-off with the Corrieairack Pass (772m / 2500ft)—the highest point of the entire adventure. The climb up the Corrieairack is a tough and long climb, but you will be rewarded with an exhilarating descent, showcasing mountain biking in Scotland at its wildest. Once you have reached the pass, the route follows the River Spey at Melgrave. Continue downhill to Garva Bridge and then along a country road leading you to Laggan.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 36 miles / 58 km -
Begin another biking day with riding through the Inshriach Forest. Later, you will follow the Spey Valley, before turning eastward through the Rothiemurchus Estate. Enjoy a proper Scottish lunch on the shores of Loch Morlich located in the heart of the magical Glenmore Forest Park. Later you will ride the elusive forest tracks and wild moorland singletracks crossing the Braes of Abernethy. After an afternoon snack at the Bridge of Avon, the riding continues with going up to Tomintoul—the highest village in the Highlands surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 43 miles / 69 km -
Following the route through the east side of the Cairngorm Mountains, you will head south along the banks of the River Avon and into Glen Builg. With spectacular mountains to the west, the route soon takes your group up and over the side of Culardoch before descending to Invercauld House near Braemar. Finally, you will bike along the River Dee and past the royal estate at Balmoral and on to Ballater, where you will overnight.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 36 miles / 58 km -
The morning of your last full biking day starts with a flat ride following the River Dee to Dinnet—the eastern gateway to both the Highlands and the Cairngorms National Park. Turning south up Glen Tanar, pass the towering Caledonian Pines of the Forest of Glen Tanar. The next objective is Mounth Road, a technical singletrack route meandaring up and round the side of Mount Keen. From here it’s all downhill all the way to Glen Esk. Your route then follows the banks of another river called Esk, along a section of fun woodland singletrack taking your group to the picturesque village of Edzell, where you will stay for your last night of the grand traverse. Celebrate your achievements with your guide and fellow mountain bikers and sample one of the fine malts following a well-deserved dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 40 miles / 65 km -
Treat yourself to as many rashers of bacon as you like during your final Scottish breakfast—the final section to Montrose is a laidback ride posing no challenges. Enjoy the 15-mile countryside ride from Edzell to Montrose, where your coast-to-coast escapade ends. Upon reaching your final destination, toast with your squad to celebrate the completion of this epic adventure across the Scottish Highlands. What follows is a visit to a nearby leisure centre for a warming shower. Afterwards, it’s back to the Glasgow International Airport. Say goodbye to your guide and Scotland or continue touring on your own.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 15 miles / 24 km
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57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Scottish Highlands, please refer to the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 updates.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
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What you get on this adventure:
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- An experienced MTB guide with extensive local knowledge of the area
- Leader qualified in first aid
- Transportation during the adventure
- Support vehicle and luggage transfers
- Accommodation (shared twin/double en suite rooms)
- Meals (as indicated in the itinerary)
- Transportation from and back to the Glasgow International Airport
What’s not included:
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- Bike rental (available for an additional fee)
- Flights and charges for traveling with your bike (if applicable)
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Single room (available for an additional fee)
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
- Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival/departure days and times
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To embark on this epic MTB adventure through the Scottish Highlands, you need to be an experienced biker comfortable with riding sections of technical or exposed singletrack. You’ll need to be able to bike between 25 and 50 miles (40-80 km) each day for 6 consecutive days. The terrain in the Scottish Highlands features mixed trails, ranging from tough and gnarly singletrack and stalkers paths, to long winding Land Rover tracks. You need to be able to tackle some serious climbs, as well as long, rough descents. Keep in mind that you will frequently take breaks and receive extensive guidance on how to successfully cross any given section.
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For this adventure, you need to have an extensive experience in mountain biking. The tour is suitable only to intermediate and advanced bikers because it involves 8-9 hours and up to 50 miles of riding (with breaks) per day in terrain which is often challenging, involving long climbs (1-2 hours at a time), technical switchbacks, rough descents, sections with large and loose rock, as well as obstacles such as drop-offs. Though you need to be an experienced biker, keep in mind that not all sections are challenging and that your guides will supervise your technique, make sure to adjust the tempo if needed, and make every obstacle safe and fun!
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Here’s what you’ll need:
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- Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
- Helmet (communicate with your guide if you want to rent one from them!)
- Necessary spares (let your guide know in advance if you would like them to include them if you are renting your bike and helmet from them)
- Sneakers or sport shoes
- Breathable outside layer or jacket
- Sunglasses
- Plenty of water, water bottle or hydration bladder
- Daypack with snacks
- Biking gloves are optional but recommended
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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During your epic coast-to-coasr MTB traverse in the Scottish Highlands, you can expect good quality 3 or 4 star hotels, B&Bs, inns and family-run guesthouses. All accommodations are cycle-friendly, located close to your routes and showcase the style and hospitality of the area you are visiting. Locally-owned businesses offering local delicasies are prioritized so that you get an authentic experience of each location and the Scottish Higlands as a whole. The price includes double en suite and twin rooms. If you want a room to yourself, it is available for an additional fee.
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Group sizes and prices:
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- The usual client-to-guide ratio for this group tour is 6:1.
- The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
Mountain biking in the Scottish Highlands can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Children as young as 10 are able to go on trips with a legal guardian. That said, if you have a young rider strong enough to handle sustained climbs (either riding or walking their bike) of hundreds of feet, and rough terrain, then they may be able to participate on a case-by-case basis.
If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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To get to Invershiel and the Loch Duich, most people fly into Glasgow International Airport, which is about 4 hours away. From the airport, your guide will transfer you to tour starting point.
You are expected to meet up with your guide at the Glasgow international Airport by 11am, so make sure to book a flight which arrives in Glasgow before the expected meeting time.
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