Holiday Highlights
- True wilderness mountain biking in awesome scenery
- Mix of great biking trails across the Highlands
- The views from the top of the Corrieyairack Pass
- Rolling into Fort Augustus along the Caledonian Canal
- Choosing your daily Highland single malt
- Blasting down Mount Keen to Glen Esk
One of the best mountain bike holidays we have done, quality was fantastic. We would certainly consider doing this trip again!
Itinerary
For those arriving by car, the meet-up point for this Skedaddle trip is Balloch. The meeting time of 13:30 provides us with plenty of time to transfer you to Fort William for late afternoon. If you are flying, we can collect you from Glasgow Airport at 12:30. If you are catching the train then there are regular journeys to Fort William.
Fort William on the west coast of Scotland is situated “beneath” the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis (1345m). It’s a busy little place with no shortage of establishments for a wee dram or to tuck into some Highland fayre. It’s the perfect place to base ourselves before we start our biking journey the next day.
Following arrival we’ve plenty of time to ensure all the bikes are ready for the adventure ahead of us. Tonight’s evening meal provides a chance to chat with the Skedaddle guides in a little more depth, about the schedule for the days ahead and get to know your fellow Skedaddlers a little better.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 1,100 Metres Approx.
Following a hearty Scottish breakfast, we ride straight from our accommodation up into Leanachan Forest and the Nevis Range. Host of the Mountain Bike World Cup, the Nevis Range is an adventure playground where we will encounter some excellent natural mountain bike trails in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Even at this early stage, you’ll begin to get a real flavour of the amazing scenery to come.
After descending into Spean Bridge we join the famous Great Glen Cycle Route alongside Loch Lochy. At times your guides will take you off this well-used trail to ride some single track hidden gems. After some more exciting single track around Invergarry we finish the day with a simple scenic ride along the Caledonian Canal towpath into Fort Augustus at the southern point of Loch Ness.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 1,190 Metres Approx.
Setting off from Fort Augustus we get a few miles under our wheels before the challenge of the day unfurls in the shape of the Corrieairack Pass. Situated on General Wade's old Military Road, at a height of 772m / 2500ft this is the highest point on the whole route. The climb up the Corrieairack is a tough and long climb followed by a technical and exhilarating descent and showcases 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.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 1,110 Metres Approx.
Another day of varied mountain biking lies ahead today. A ride through Inshriach Forest provides great riding with some cheeky climbs, flowing singletrack and a river crossing at Allt Chromhraig to negotiate.
We follow the Spey Valley north-east before turning eastward through the stunning Rothiemurchus Estate. Today we have lunch on the shores of Loch Morlich in the heart of Glenmore Forest Park. After lunch the route takes us along forest tracks and out onto some wild moorland singletracks through the Braes of Abernethy to an afternoon snack stop at Bridge of Avon.
From here the quality riding continues on up to the highest village in the Highlands: Tomintoul. Located in the stunning landscapes of Glenlivet Estate and the Cairngorms National Park it’s a great place to end today’s ride.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 900 Metres Approx.
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.
With spectacular mountains to the west our route soon 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 of Balmoral and on to Ballater where we’ll be staying for the evening.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 955 Metres Approx.
Our last full day of riding, and what a day of quality Scottish mountain biking we have in store for you!
Our morning starts with a short flat ride along the River Dee to Dinnet – the eastern gateway to both the Highlands and the Cairngorms National Park, before we turn south up Glen Tanar and through the towering Caledonian Pines of the Forest of Glen Tanar.
The Mounth Road is a technical singletrack route that takes us up and round the side of Mount Keen. From here it's all downhill to Glen Esk.
Our route then follows the beautiful River Esk to the picturesque village of Edzell.
With just a few easy miles to do tomorrow, you’ll be more than a little tempted to sample one of the fine malts on offer following a well deserved evening meal.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
- Ascent: 155 Metres Approx.
There are no major ups on this final section to Montrose and maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a few more rashers of bacon or an extra portion of haggis during your final Scottish breakfast.
It’s around 15 miles to the coast and all on tarmac, so click off your suspension and enjoy the countryside as we ride from Edzell to Montrose, where your coast to coast journey ends.
Once here it’s time to crack open the fizz and toast your fellow riders and guides as we celebrate completing this epic journey across Scotland.
For the brave a dip in the North Sea is on the cards, before we head to a nearby leisure centre for a warming shower and a change into your civvies.
With a real sense of satisfaction we make the journey back to Balloch for those who are collecting their cars, or to Glasgow International Airport (GLA) for anyone flying. There is a train station in Montrose for anybody heading home by train.
Show ProfileUnderstanding Profiles
Use these profiles to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)
Click 'see gradient' to see:
- Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
- % Gradient (vertical axis)
Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.
White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain. Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, will give you a full picture of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be. Please keep in mind this is an indicative guide and GPS units and software produce different statistical information.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
This epic adventure crosses the Scottish Highlands on mixed trails, ranging from tough and gnarly singletrack and stalkers paths, to long winding Land Rover tracks.
Being the Highlands, there are of course some serious climbs to tackle and some long, rough descents – so a good level of fitness, as well as bike handling skills and off-road experience, are required (even on the e-bike departure). We’d expect all riders on this tour to have mountain biking experience, and be confident taking on the technical terrain and challenging nature of a grade 4 holiday.
This trip crosses some high mountains, and with that comes the inevitable weather changes, and potential for wet, cold and windy conditions. This all adds to the challenge of this trip – although on a good day there is no better place to be than the Scottish Highlands!
We have an e-MTB exclusive departure, where the whole group and guide team will be riding Electric Mountain Bikes. Please note if opting for an e-MTB on a standard departure, the pace of riding will be set by the standard MTB riders.
E-bikes would be beneficial for some of the short and sharp climbs which are sometimes un-rideable on regular mountain bikes, but also for the longer climbs over Corrieyairack Pass and Mount Keen. Please note – E-bikes are heavier than standard mountain bikes, so worth considering when handing or picking the bike up over some obstacles such as gates and river crossings. Chat to us if you would like to rent or bring your own.
If you are interested in riding an e-MTB on this holiday please click here for more information.
Mountain Biking Grade
Distances of 25-50 miles / 40-80 kms per day
For regular mountain bikers who have a good level of fitness
Routes with frequent moderate to difficult technical sections
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
As well as keeping a good level of fitness you are also an experienced biker and enjoy riding more challenging trails. You usually ride most weekends and can cover between 30 and 50 miles over a full 8-9 hour day (with breaks). The routes you choose generally include more challenging 1-2 hour long climbs perhaps with sharp switchbacks and sections of large and loose rocks. You are comfortable riding most trails including sections of technical or exposed singletrack with some testing obstacles such as drop offs and steep downhills. Our grade 4 trips should suit you.
For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.
Faultless guides and trip and I absolutely loved the riding. Honestly was the best organised trip I have ever been on.
Dates & Prices
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a £300 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.
Whats Included
A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms)
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Full tour service, including Skedaddle guides
D) Unless stated, at least one leader qualified in first aid
E) GPX files available on request
F) Support vehicle and luggage transfers
G) Airport transfer on scheduled arrival day from Glasgow airport (GLA)
H) Airport transfer on scheduled departure day to Glasgow airport (GLA)
I) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike rental (available if required)
B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)
C) Meals not stated in the itinerary
D) Single room (available if required)
E) Travel insurance
F) Personal clothing and equipment
G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route
I) Airport transfers on days other than the scheduled arrival / departure days
Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
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Reviews
Simon, HerefordThe holiday was absolutely perfect ...Really superb guides can’t fault them. Obviously very experienced cyclist’s so it was great to learn from them. Hope to ride with them again. Great fun to be with both during the riding and the evenings. Very knowledgable about the area. Nothing to much trouble. Up to the usual Skedaddle high standard.
Tomintoul to Ballater had some superb technical single track and a great fast descent. Mount Keen also worth a mention for it’s challenging climb technical single track across the top and awesome descent. I would recommend this holiday to any keen mountain biker as a must do trip!
Malcolm, EdinburghI'm still smiling...Every day was excellent but I’m still smiling from the downhill descent on day 6 (Ballator to Edzell) after lugging our bikes over the hill – quite spectacular! Hire bikes were excellent, would happily have taken it home with me.
The guides were amazing! All had such a great sense of humour, were good fun and very encouraging – the perfect ambassadors for Skedaddle! A great escape from what has been a rough couple of years – the guides helped the whole experience feel very Covid safe.
Fred, SwitzerlandSuperb leader, I will follow him blindly.Well designed tour, excellent group of guides. Excellent resourceful pick-up team. Comfortable vehicles. Expert guides with superb people skills. Steve is a superb leader, I will follow him blindly. Helen and Laura were excellent. Most agreeable people, expert cyclists who clearly knew what they were doing. Very good communication between the three professionals and the client group. Breakfasts as a rule lavish, good variety and plenty of volume of lunch goodies, ample snacks and drinks for underway.
Pat, CumbriaExcellent...For me the holiday was on the expensive side, particularly when adding the evening meals to the cost. However I quickly realised what I got for that money. I was comfortable and well looked after. I never had any doubts or concerns about my safety. Everything was highly organised and efficient. The guides worked hard and with enthusiasm at all times. I was always comfortable in the accommodation. There was always enough to eat and a good variety of food.I was made to feel welcome despite being a lone and older female. No one was left behind. This has not always been my experience on other cycling holidays!
Malcolm, EdinburghA satisfying challenge...Off-road route was fantastic and linked parts of Scotland from West to East that you just don’t normally associate by road. A satisfying challenge – walked when felt too challenging but learnt a lot!
Richard was excellent with mechanical skills and Laura was full of great outdoor details. Well done with organising holiday despite the difficulties of Covid.
Martha, USAGuides made it memorable, safe, and fun...Excellent – Steve, Tony, and Alan were great. They took excellent care of both riders and the bikes.
The Skedaddle guides are what made this trip so fantastic. They are both amazing. I was particularly impressed with the way they provided information about the upcoming sections of the ride – in a way that did a good job of indicating obstacles and rough sections and where to pay particular attention. (This is really important because the scenery is so spectacular it’s tempting to spend time looking around instead of at the trail.) The river crossings were my favourite part!
Vicky, UKYou guys are good!Tony and Charley were also exceptional guides. I had great confidence in all of them when out riding, and they have consideration for each person in the group to make sure everyone is happy. Can’t get a better combination that these three surely!
Overall (quality of the riding and Skedaddle service) I would say this is the best Skedaddle trip I have done. Lunch was very good and punctual and waiting every day when we met the support van. The best cycling I have done. Very varied and beautiful scenery.
Vicky, AustraliaI absolutely loved it...Faultless guides and trip and I absolutely loved the riding. Honestly was the best organised trip I have ever been on. Ran like clockwork! Steve was faultless even with a large group.
Peter, New ZealandProfessional service from Skedaddle...Well planned, organised and executed – highly professional job. The accommodation was all excellent! The guides did a great job of providing us with fresh, interesting, high quality lunches.
Steve was outstanding as a tour guide. Highly professional leader and organiser who did it all extremely well and made it look easy.
Lisa, ShropshireExtremely perceptive guides...One of the best mountain bike holidays we have done. Quality of biking and guiding was fantastic. We would certainly consider doing this trip again!
The guides technical ability and advise were exceptional. It was good to come home having learnt various hints and tips. His ability to read the pace during the day made the riding even more enjoyable.