Round Loch Ness by bike using mountain tracks and quiet roads
A four day tour around one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland and certainly the most famous in the world, combining some strenuous off road tracks with some easier riding on quiet roads.
Starting and finishing in Inverness, the scenery and views are great throughout the trip, with the added excitement of a possible glimpse of the elusive monster, keep your camera handy.
Loch Ness is a quite unique body of water. You would expect a loch large enough to contain the whole world’s population - 18 times (yes really!) to be enormous, and Loch Ness is a giant. Although hugely deep, the loch is only about 23 miles long and up to a mile wide. The countryside surrounding the loch is very scenic, with hidden glens, ruined castles and friendly villages to explore.
The route on the north side makes use of the Great Glen Way, a walking and cycling route, that is rough in some places while in others offers pretty easy cycling and is car free for almost its entire length. On the south side of Loch Ness you have a choice, the newly opened South Loch Ness Trail for mountain bikes and walkers, or the quiet back roads with very little traffic. Of course, you can decide when you see them, or mix the two together depending on how adventurous you feel.
Ticket To Ride Bike Hire and Transport, based in Inverness can hire you bikes for the trip. We can store your luggage while you’re gone, pick you up at various points on the route if you run out of time, and provide an emergency back service for spares and repairs if any disasters happen.
The following is our suggested itinerary, but of course there are lots of alternative routes and accommodation options, in particular on the south side of the loch.
Time of year - we recommend cycling this tour between April and September inclusive.
N.B. we suggest you book accommodation in advance.
Day 1 - Pick up your hire bike from Ticket to Ride bike hire centre in Inverness’s Bellfield Park, IV2 4SZ. Follow the Great Glen Way markers from Bellfield Park, through the Inverness islands and out of the city. The Great Glen Way will take you up above Inverness to Abriachan on the north side of Loch Ness. It’s hard work at first but you soon start to reap the benefits of that initial climb. At Abriachan there’s a great woodland trail to explore and some excellent single track mountain bike trails to test your skills. Follow the Great Glen Way from Abriachan to the busy village of Drumnadrochit and your first overnight stop. You should have plenty time to explore the ruined and romantic Urquhart Castle, just west of Drumnadrochit. Total miles only 20, but it’s a fairly rough track with a fair amount of climbing.
Day 2 - Drumnadrochit to Fort Augustus. A tougher day, with lots of great climbs and descents. It will really keep you on your toes. Starting from Drumnadrochit, follow the Great Glen Way through Lewiston to the Iron Age fort near Grotaig. The views are great as you pass through Glen Moriston and finish the day in Fort Augustus. There should be plenty time for you to explore Fort Augustus and watch boats going through the staircase of locks on the Caledonian Canal. Total miles 23, but it will feel more.
Day 3 - Fort Augustus to Foyers. Take the B862 out of Fort Augustus. There is a long, stiff climb ahead of you, but take your time, enjoy the challenge, reaching the lovely peaceful Loch Tarff you will know most of the hard work is behind you. A short climb takes you up to the summit and a wonderful viewpoint from which you can see the east coast and your final destination. A long downhill takes you to the settlement of Whitebridge. The bridge itself is dominated by the finest surviving example of a single span General Wade Bridge, built in 1732. Just after Whitebridge, take the left turn onto the B852 to Foyers. This lovely wee twisting turning road brings you to the quiet village of Foyers, and your overnight stop. The amazing Foyers waterfall is well worth a visit, followed swiftly by a cup of tea and a cake at the wee cafe. Total miles only 15, but with a major climb out of Fort Augustus.
South Loch Ness Trail alternative - you can pick up the South Loch Ness Trail at Loch Tarff and follow it on and off road to Foyers.
Day 4 - Sticking to the B852, head out of Foyers. The ancient burial place at Boleskin is a great place to explore. Boleskin House, just up the hill, was once owned by Aleister Crowley, the English occultist, and in the 70s and 80s, by Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. Continue on to Inverfairigaig where there are lovely forest walks. Between Inverfairigaig and Dores the road really hugs the banks of Loch Ness giving excellent views. The Dores Inn is a top place for some lunch or a restorative pint, with lovely views looking all the way up the Loch. If you are lucky, the resident Nessy watcher will be at his post, with plenty tales about the mysterious beast. At Dores you rejoin the B862 to Inverness, but taking a right turn not long after Aldourie primary school will take you on a quieter road for a bit before rejoining the B862 at Scaniport and continuing on to Inverness. Total miles 20
South Loch Ness Trail alternative - from Inverfarigaig you can re join the South Loch Ness trail by taking the ‘Corkscrew Road’ to a high point on a forest track 1300 feet above Loch Ness. From here the South Loch Ness Trail drops gradually down to Dores.
Arriving back in Inverness, the road goes straight past Belfield Park, home of Ticket to Ride Bike Hire, where you can return your bikes and pick up your luggage.
Bike Courier Service
If you have been using your own bike, Ticket to Ride offer a bike courier service to help you get your bike home after your trip. Saving you the hassle, and expense, of lugging your bike on and off trains or planes, we will carefully pack your bike in the same way that bikes are shipped to bike shops and send it to your home or office. The rate for shipping a standard bike to UK mainland addresses is £55.
Wash and Lube
In addition to our courier service we will thoroughly wash, degrease, lube and check your bike. We will also carry out a 20 point inspection and provide you with a report of any maintenance work we think is required which you can take to your local bike shop. We charge £25 for this service.
