Group meet-up at Balloch, on the South end of Loch Lomond, in order to transfer to the ferry that leaves from the bustling fishing hub of Mallaig to Lochboisdale on South Uist. Arriving into Lochboisdale in the evening we have a short transfer (20 minutes) to reach our accommodation out on the west coast of the island.

The crossing to the Outer Hebrides signals the start of the journey as we sail through spectacular island scenery with good marine wildlife spotting potential around the Small Isles of Rùm and Canna.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 500 Metres Approx.

After breakfast we spend some time getting the bikes set up for the ride ahead. The start of the Hebridean Trail follows the west coast of South Uist through the delightful coastal flower meadows called machair. The trail runs for approximately 30km right the way up the west coast of the island which is defined by its beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise seas.

From the north of the island we head inland and follow the ‘main’ road (i.e. more sheep than cars) across the causeways to the tiny island of Benbecula and then to the island of North Uist. Depending on the tide, the causeways have excellent otter spotting opportunities.

Our destination for the evening is Lochmaddy on North Uist’s east coast.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.

Riding north from Lochmaddy, we follow the coast road to Berneray where we take the short ferry across the Sound of Harris to Leverburgh. On arrival on the Isle of Harris you will see an immediate change in the landscape with bold mountains dominating the west coast.

Harris is arguably the jewel in the crown of the Outer Hebrides with its stunning beaches and rugged mountains. From Leverburgh we follow the west coast road with incredible views (on clear days, the World Heritage Site of St Kilda can be seen 40 miles offshore) before heading off road for an introduction to mountain biking – Hebridean Style. Taking a series of ancient “coffin roads“, we spend the afternoon riding some fine singletrack through a landscape of a 1000 lochans.

One final road descent takes us to the charming village of Tarbert where will we stay for the next two nights in a stylish 4* hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.

Today we visit the neighboring Isle of Scalpay, or Scalpay of Harris, with its strong fishing community and a historic lighthouse built by Stevenson back in the 18th Century. The island is peppered with lochans, some with their own islands! We take our lunch toward the south of the island near the coast.

After lunch we head back onto Harris, and ride a loop northward taking in Lochannan Lacasdail and some wild, ancient singletrack. At the end of the day we return to our hotel in Tarbert for a second night.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1,200 Metres Approx.

An unforgettable day of island adventure as we combine mountain bikes with a couple of short boat rides by RIB to open up the otherwise inaccessible west coast of Harris and the Isle of Lewis.

This day is sure to be one of the highlights of the trip as we head into remote and wild country. In the middle of nowhere we rendezvous with a RIB which transfers us across a sea loch to the west coast of Lewis.

Once on the Isle of Lewis, we follow a trail through a dramatic glen, flanked by spectacular peaks on either side, before descending back to the coast and rejoining the RIB for a final ride to the Standing Stones of Callanish. This mysterious stone circle is over 5000 years old and a remarkable place to visit, especially in the evening when it is usually deserted. Our overnight guest house accommodation is nearby.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 590 Metres Approx.

Our final day follows the west coast of Lewis and is full of historical and cultural interest. Heading north, we soon pass the ancient Dun Carloway Broch and then the Blackhouse Village at Gearrannan which offers an insight into what island living was like not so many years ago.

For the next 20km we switch between coastal trail and road as we edge nearer to the end of our island journey. An impossible to miss feature on our final push is the Whalebone Arch, recovered from a huge whale washed up on a nearby beach. A turning in the road to the west signals the last few km. Perched on the Atlantic at the very edge of Europe, the Butt of Lewis is a spectacular and fitting place to end our Hebridean Trail.

After celebratory drinks, we head back to our accommodation at Callanish for our final night on the islands.

• Meals: Breakfast

In the morning we catch the ferry back to Ullapool on the mainland from Stornaway. Exact travel timings are subject to ferry timetables but there should be an opportunity to pick up some last minute souvenirs before we leave, maybe some genuine Harris Tweed or local artwork.

We then transfer you back to Balloch where you will pick up your cars, hop on a train, or perhaps extend your holiday. There is an optional transfer to Glasgow Airport (GLA) for anyone flying home from here. This is an amazing drive with breathtaking scenery on all sides, allowing you a few more photo opportunities before we bid you goodbye.