Highlights
- Checking out Ben Nevis and The Grampians from Loch Linhe
- Taking on the legendary ascent of Glendoe
- Exploring Loch Ness and some of Scotland’s more remote National Scenic Areas, including the Appin Peninsula
- Cycling Coast to Coast through Scotland’s best-loved towns including Oban, Fort William and Fort Augustus
- Scenic ferry rides to the Ardgour peninsula
- A chance to sample local whiskies at the Oban and Fort William distilleries
Itinerary
You will begin your self-guided journey along the Caledonia Way in Connel, a small but picturesque village on the southern shore of Loch Etive. With a small railway station, frequent trains to Glasgow, and free long-stay parking, Connel is an ideal starting point. If you’re arriving by train, the hotel is conveniently within walking distance of the station.
Connel is located on the coast, overlooking the impressive Connel Bridge that spans Loch Etive at the Falls of Lora. Tonight you can enjoy a lovely dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, whilst watching the sun set over the horizon.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 505 Metres Approx.
This morning you will be met by our Skedaddle representative who will provide you with your rental bikes (if renting) and will talk you through how to use the navigation app. After the welcome briefing, we’ll transfer you a few miles (approx. 10 mins) to Dunbeg, right next to Dunstaffnage Castle, a great spot to kick off your adventure.
Today’s ride is a great introduction on what to expect over the next few days, both in terms of terrain and scenery. From Dunbeg you will head towards Ganavan Sands, enjoying the views towards the Isle of Mull as you follow the coast. After passing through Ganavan Sands, you will reach the ferry port and arrive into Oban. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Isles‘, you’ll have a chance to explore this lovely port town and sample some of its fresh seafood. Back on the bikes, you begin a climb, ascending from the town and into the remote single-track back roads, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Highlands before heading back towards Connel.
As you approach your accommodation there is an optional, but highly recommended, out-and-back ride along the quiet shoreline of Loch Etive with incredible views of the surrounding mountains.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 405 Metres Approx.
After breakfast, you start the day by crossing the impressive Connel Bridge followed by a delightful, traffic-free cycle route that winds its way to Loch Creran. Much of this path traces the old railway line from Connel to the slate quarries near Ballachulish, offering a smooth and scenic ride.
As you reach the end of the loch, you’ll head west onto the peaceful, wooded roads of the Appin peninsula, eventually arriving at the coastal village of Port Appin on the Lynn of Lorne. Here, you can treat yourself to a refreshing ice cream or a cold beer while enjoying views of the Isle of Lismore.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 465 Metres Approx.
Soon after setting off, you’ll begin to catch views of the truly impressive Castle Stalker, perched on a tidal islet in Loch Laich, an inlet off Loch Linnhe. After crossing the Jubilee Bridge, you are soon on good quality cycle paths again, meandering along old railway lines all the way to Loch Leven, and with only the odd steep section to contend with, you’ll be eating up the miles.
Leaving the cycleway (close to Corran) you take the ferry to cross Loch Linhe from Nether Lochaber, arriving in Ardgour just ten minutes later. From here, you keep pedalling alongside the loch for another 10 miles before catching your second ferry that takes you from Camusnagaul to Fort William (approx. £3.50 per person) where you stay for the evening. (Do check the ferry timetable to make sure you‘re there in good time, or it’s a very long way around to get to Fort William!)
Situated “beneath” Scotland’s (and the UK’s) highest peak, Ben Nevis (1345m), Fort William is a busy little place with no shortage of establishments for a wee dram or to tuck into some Highlands fayre.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 640 Metres Approx.
This day offers a diverse range of terrain to navigate. Starting with a gentle ride out of Fort William, you’ll quickly find yourself alongside Scotland’s longest inland waterway, the Caledonian Canal. You’ll follow the path of the Great Glen, a breathtaking 100 km-long narrow valley that cuts through the Lochs of Oich, Lochy and Ness.
At Clunes you will leave the flat of the canal side behind for a while and head along the forest road through Clunes Wood. Although it is definitely an off-road section, it is not too technically challenging, even for those who are not accustomed to off-road riding, as the trail is quite wide. After Laggan Locks, you enter the forest again to take the path north of Loch Oich via Invergarry, enjoying undulating gravel forest tracks and single-track paths. Popping out of the trees at Aberchalder, you rejoin the canal side towpath for the final 5 miles to Fort Augustus. Situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way, this historic and scenic hamlet is where you’ll stay, with options of an evening meal at one of its many small pubs or restaurants.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
- Ascent: 670 Metres Approx.
Your final day on the bike is a real cracker and will certainly end the trip in style. With only a few hundred metres to warm up the legs, you are soon tackling one of the classic Scottish climbs as you head up Glendoe which, at just over 5 mile in length, climbs around 366 Metres / 1200ft over the distance.
Your reward, however, is an equally long stunning descent (with no turns) that will flip your grimace into a grin as you speed down this wide road before continuing on to the Falls of Foyers, situated on the southern shores of Loch Ness. The final 20 miles take you beside Loch Ness (monster spotting, anyone??) before the final rural roads lead you into Inverness.
Congratulations!! You’ve completed your Skedaddle journey along the Caledonia Way and it’s time for celebrations after a week of incredible cycling and scenery.
Show Profile- Meals: Breakfast
After a final hearty Scottish breakfast of the trip, you can either head home from Inverness station, or we will transport you and your luggage and bikes back to Connel before we bid you farewell.
Understanding 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
The route follows traffic-free cycle paths and quiet rural roads. Although the route is mostly on paved roads and paths, there are some forest trails with some roots, stones, and forestry roads with small sections of rough track with chunky, looser gravel. There will be ups and downs on most days, with relatively few flat sections. Most days have frequent but short climbs, however there are some longer hills dotted throughout, most notably, the 5 mile climb up Glendoe on the final day. With this in mind we would recommend a decent level of fitness to enjoy the route.
We recommend either a hybrid bike, gravel bike or a mountain bike fitted with semi-slick tyres. Parts of this route are not suitable for a road bike so they are not recommended. E-bikes with sufficient battery power are suitable, which would be particularly beneficial on this undulating route with its multiple short, steep climbs, if you’re after a bit of a boost. Please note, e-bikes are generally heavier than standard bikes, so it is worth considering when handling the bike over some of the rougher / uneven terrain. For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here
If you are planning to bring your own e-bike, please let us know the make and model of your bike and we can check its suitability.
The Caledonia Way uses a part of the National Cycle Network, a route from the charity, Sustrans, who are working to make it easier for everyone to cycle in the UK. Skedaddle will donate to Sustrans for every mile that you and others ride on this route with us. If you fancy donating more to Sustrans, you can choose to make your own donation for the development of the National Cycle Network when you make a booking with us.
Leisure Cycling Grade
Aspects of both our grade 3 and 4 trips
Suitable for the leisure cyclist who rides frequently, and who’s comfortable with some moderately challenging climbs
Some of the terrain may vary, potentially including sections of uneven or unpaved ground
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?
Trips that are graded as a 3-4, will have aspects of both our grade 3 and 4 trips. These tours are suitable for those who keep themselves relatively fit and maybe enjoy an afternoon out on the bikes at the weekend. Your preference may be for flatter terrain, but you don’t mind tackling some hills, the occasional steep climb and some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc.). It might be however that on some days the distances will be longer than a standard grade 3 trip, or some of the climbs may be quite challenging. You may also require some previous experience of tackling some uneven / unpaved ground to comfortably and safely ride certain sections of the route.
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.
Dates & Prices
Daily departures available from April to mid October (excluding Thursday departures)
You can either make a booking online or over the phone. Once we have your details, we’ll be able to check availability.
Alternatively for a great value holiday select one of our scheduled weekend departures below.
Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit
Book now with a $375 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 rooms)
B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
C) Access to an app for holiday information and navigation
D) A printed map
E) Luggage transfer service
F) Local Skedaddle representative
G) Emergency tool kit, pump etc. (if renting your bike from Skedaddle)
H) Financial Protection through ABTOT
What's not Included
A) Bike and helmet rental (available if required)
B) Travel or flight costs or 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) All ferry & local boat services (day 4)
H) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)
I) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres
J) Other optional activities
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
E-bikes - everything you need to know
There’s no doubt that e-bikes are popular. We caught up with our expert to answer some of your burning questions!
Your Guide To The Caledonia Way
NEW! Cycle the Kintyre Peninsula, follow the Great Glen taking in Loch Ness, the Caledonian Canal and Ben Nevis...
Simple pleasures of a cycling holiday
That is what life is about and our cycling holidays are packed with these moments that we know you can't get enough of...
Reviews
Jenny, SouthamptonA stunning routeThe final two days, from Fort William to Inverness, had the most stunning views across Loch Lochy and Loch Ness. I enjoyed the challenging climb out of Fort Augustus and I was fully in my element with the rewarding swooping descents in to Foyers and alongside Loch Ness.