Loch Ness 360 Self Guided Cycle Holiday

Loch Ness 360
Cycling

Self-guided cycling holiday 2019-2020 1

A monster ride in
bite-size chunks

This stunning off-road ride combines
the South Loch Ness Trail and The
Great Glen Way, to create a circuit of
Scotland’s most famous loch.

It’s 85 miles / 135km in total but
spread over a four days so you’ll also
have time to explore Urquhart Castle,
take a cruise on the Loch or enjoy a
leisurely lunch and soak in the views.

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Highlights:

Red Deer | © Visit Britain ● Inverness, Capital of The
Highlands
Introduction:
● Complete a circuit of
Loch Ness continues to enjoy worldwide Scotland’s most famous
recognition even though it’s most famous Loch and enjoy views most
resident has ben rather camera shy in visitors miss.
recent years.
● Highland moors
The north of Scotland is divided from coast ● Birds of prey
to coast by the Great Glen, a geological ● Red deer
fault line which has been further eroded by ● Red Squirrels
successive ice ages. Loch Ness occupies ● Nessie Hunter
roughly half of this Great Glen filling a ● Falls of Foyers
stretch 23 miles / 37km long and nearly 2 ● Caledonian Canal Centre
miles / 3km wide with up to 750ft / 230m ● Cruise on Loch Ness
of cold dark water. ● Loch Ness Monster

Exhibition
● Urquhart Castle
● Loch-side villages

The Loch Ness 360 cycle route follows
quiet country roads and off road trails by
the shore of Loch Ness and into the hills
and forest that rise above it. It is not a
technically challenging route but it is hilly
and baggage transfer will make for a much
more enjoyable trip. A mountain bike is
essential.

Inverness | © Andrew Pickett

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Inverness Castle © Andrew Picket

Daily Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive Inverness:

Check in to your accommodation and explore Inverness. There are several good pubs and restaurants.
The Castle Tavern is always popular and you might want to make a booking with Rocpool Rendezvous
as a treat on your return at the end of the week. If you’ve got time swing by our base in Bellfield Park to
try the bikes or pick up last minute essentials from the town centre.

Day 2 Inverness to Foyers:

20 miles / 1394ft | 32km / 425m
Cycle from Inverness at the mouth of the River Ness and head south-west along the signposted cycle
route number 78. The route passes along quiet farm roads and the profile of The Great Glen soon looms
on the horizon. Loch Ness appears for the first time as you reach the loch-side village of Dores. Stop off
at The Dores Inn for refreshments or an early lunch and take time off the bike to explore the beach on
foot. The beach at Dores is home to full-time Nessie Hunter Steve Feltham who has kept a watchful eye
on the water since 1991. He’s bound to have clocked up some amazing sightings, right?
Back on the bike, stick to Route 78 and follow the road by the shore. At Inverfarigaig you can again
explore on foot through tall conifer trees on waymarked trails. The gorge of Inverfarigaig was cut by
meltwater at the end of the last ice age. The Falls of Foyers are easy to find and all the more impressive
if you’ve just been rained on. Cameron’s Tearoom serves fantastic afternoon teas in a really welcoming
environment amidst the resident highland cows and deer.

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Day 3: Foyers to Fort Augustus Suidhe Viewpoint | © Andrew Pickett

14miles/1407ft | 23km/429m

It’s not the hilliest day today but there is a big a climb to the highest point of the whole 360. Take the
waymarked South Loch Ness Trail which follows the river Foyers to the tiny village of Whitebridge. The
hotel offers lunches 12-2pm every day except Mondays. Stick to the South Loch Ness Trail as the track
climbs to the magnificent Suidhe (soo-ee) Viewpoint. The views are truly panoramic and there are often
deer to be seen on the hill-side if you look closely. You need a bit of luck to spot a golden eagle but your
best chance is around this point. You’ve earned the long descent past Loch Tarff to Fort Augustus. The
village was originally called Kiliwhimin but became known as Fort Augustus after the 1715 Jacobite
uprising when a military base was built here and named after the Duke of Cumberland. The fort is long
gone but today the village bustles with visitors catching a cruise on Loch Ness or watching boats pass
through the locks on the Caledonian Canal. If you’ve still got energy to burn you can explore the paths by
the canal. Following Great Glen Way signs to Loch Oich and back adds a further 10miles / 16km to the
day.

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Day 4 Fort Augustus to Drumnadrochit:

22 miles / 3257ft | 35km / 993m
The Great Glen Way is a coast to coast path linking Fort William on
the west coast with Inverness on the east and you’ll follow this
waymarked trail all the way from now on. Today is not quite the
longest but it has the most hills so an extra large bowl of porridge
at breakfast is a good idea. Set off early, take it steady and
remember that most visitors to Loch Ness won’t have earned the
views that you have. The village of Invermoriston provides
refreshment before the three big hills of the day. Drumnadrochit is
a great wee village with a good choice of pubs and restaurants.
Urquhart Castle is just outside the village and you should plan a
couple of hours for a visit on arrival or first thing the following
morning. If you’re still looking for evidence of Nessie, the Loch
Ness Centre and Exhibition is a good place to start.

Urquhart Castle | © Groovy Pat

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Day 5: Drumnadrochit to Inverness

23 miles / 2043ft | 37km / 623m

It’s slightly longer today but only one big climb and Sandra feeds another hungry cyclist at Abriachan Cafe
the payoff is a magnificent descent towards
Inverness and that’s the bit you’ll remember. Along
the way you’ll find Abriachan Forest a community
owned woodland with blue and green graded
mountain bike trails. You can play here safe in the
knowledge that the hard work is behind you and
refreshments are available at the nearby Eco Cafe
and Campsite. Sandra and Howie offer a unique
fresh air dining experience that’s literally
off-the-beaten-path. When you reach Inverness
you’ll meet the Caledonian Canal again and pass
through the beautiful forested Ness Islands before
completing your Loch Ness 360 at Inverness Castle.

Live music every night at Hootananny’s Inverness © Andrew Pickett
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Bike Hire

The largely off road nature of this route demands a We only use top brand bikes and replace the fleet
Mountain Bike. The terrain isn’t “technical” but every year to ensure up to date specification and
you’ll need the low gears, extra grip and the highest standards of reliability and safety.
suspension that the mountain bikes provide. Standard equipment includes:

Bike hire is our specialism and we are confident ● Helmet
that we have the best hire bike fleet around. ● Pump
● Lock
● Spares & Tools
● Water bottle

Mountain Bikes

The mountain bikes have wide flat handlebars and suspension forks. The gearing is really low and they
are fitted with a rear luggage rack but no prop stand. They have a front mud flap and the rear luggage
rack incorporates a mud catching panel. Most of the bikes have 29” wheels but the smaller sizes are
27½”. The mountain bikes are OK on tarmac but essential for mainly off-road routes.

E-MTB

The e-mtb is similar to the mountain bike with suspension on the front and an electric motor to assist
when you need it.

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Map:

A paper map with the route drawn on it
provides a great overview of the entire trip.

Navigation

Some people like written directions, some
love maps and others prefer smartphones
or GPS devices. We provide route info in a
variety of formats so you can enjoy the
ride, safe in the knowledge that you are on
the right path.

Route Notes: GPS:

Detailed written directions with photos so Routes uploaded to the most popular apps
you know you are in the right place. and files available in .gpx format.

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Length:

4 days riding, 5 nights.

Total: 79 miles / 127km
Average day: 20 miles / 32km
Longest day: 23 miles / 37km
Shortest day: 15 miles / 24km

Some attractions a short distance off route.

Start and End Point: Kit list:

Inverness: this is a circular tour starting and We provide the essential equipment as standard:
finishing in Inverness. Inverness is around three ● great quality, well maintained hybrid or
hours by car from Edinburgh and Glasgow and a road bike
little less than that from Aberdeen. You can also ● helmet
reach Inverness by train from all major cities in the ● Lock
UK. The airport has direct flights from London, ● Pump
Amsterdam, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, ● Multi-tool
Birmingham and several other airports. ● Spare tube
● Hi-Vis vest
Terrain: ● Water bottle

Off-road with some sections on quiet country Optional extras include:
roads. The route is well signposted and uses
National Cycle Network (NCN) and other ● Clipless pedals (SPD/SPD-SL/Look)
waymarked trails throughout. The terrain is very ● Panniers
hilly but the distances are short. See daily route ● Bar-bags
profiles for the facts. There is usually a lunch stop
at a cafe but refreshments and toilets may not be Your experience will be better if you bring:
available at other points along the route. Mobile
phone coverage is good but not complete on most ● Cycling shorts
networks. ● Cycling gloves or mitts
● Insect repellent
Tour Dates: ● Sunscreen (yes really)
● Sunglasses
You may begin this tour on any day, April to ● Waterproofs you can cycle in
October. We recommend May to September to ● Portable power bank for charging phone
reduce the chance of extreme weather.
(especially if using for navigation)
Navigation:
If you want to bring your own pedals or saddle
We will provide a paper map of the route along we’ll happily fit them.
with turn by turn directions. Files for GPS devices
are also available to download.

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About Ticket To Ride: Ticket To Ride ‘route research’ above Loch Ness
Ticket To Ride adventure transport
Founded in 2007, Ticket To Ride is a small
team of friendly cyclists who enjoy helping
visitors share in their love of exploring the
Highlands of Scotland by bike.

Ticket To Ride is our bike hire partner and
their bikes are among the best that can be
hired in the country. They use top quality
brands and replace the fleet annually. The
bikes are maintained by an experienced
team of Velotech Gold qualified mechanics.

Ticket To Ride also transport cyclists, their
bikes and luggage. Their vehicles offer the
style and quality of a luxury saloon with the
versatility and interior space of a people
mover. The transport service and drivers
are licenced by the local authority.

Ticket To Ride HQ at Bellfield Park, Inverness

Ticket To Ride - Bike Hire
The Pavilion
Bellfield Park
Inverness
IV2 4SZ

p: 01463 419160
e:[email protected]
www.TicketToRideHighlands.co.uk

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