Welcome to the Cairngorms and the Snow Roads
Fàilte gu am Monadh Ruadh agus Rathaidean Sneachda
The Snow Roads is a recognised route that scales some of the UK’s highest public roads to three of Scotland’s five ski resorts – Glenshee, The Lecht and Cairngorm Mountain.
Venture into the mythical and majestic Cairngorms, where every mile tells a story of ancient clans, fiercely fought battles, and timeless landscapes. Scotland’s largest national park lies before you like a pop-up history book with soaring peaks, secluded glens, ancient forests and castles that have stood for centuries.
The Snow Roads
Our fully supported version of this cycling holiday builds on the recognised Snow Roads route, carrying you over some of the UK’s highest public roads and through three of Scotland’s five ski resorts, before finishing in style on majestic Cairngorm.
Scotland’s tapestry of time and terrain
Our Snow Roads cycling holiday
Our version of this iconic route begins with a day’s riding through mystical Highland Perthshire, a gentle warm-up through quiet glens and ancient forests before confronting the challenges to come.
Winding northwards, echoes of battles linger in the mist. Uisge Beatha, the water of life, gurgles through the rivers and lochs of Speyside’s whisky country, overflowing with centuries of stories.
Majestic climbs, breathtaking vistas, and quiet moments of wonder framed by Scotland’s legendary skies and ancient hills define the journey. This is not just a cycling holiday, it’s a voyage into the heart and soul of the Highlands, where every pedal stroke leads you deeper into the folklore and raw beauty of the land.
Our itinerary is flexible, and we offer options to lengthen or shorten the amount of time you spend on the saddle each day.
Prices include
Logistics
Pre-trip logistics and planning. Every detail of your trip taken care of for you.
Accommodation
All accommodation for the duration of the holiday.
Food
Half-board including breakfast, snacks and three-course evening meals.
Support
Expert guided support from our local guides and our unique customised vehicles.
Record
A dedicated trip experience app, packed with information, notes and detailed GPS files for each day of cycling.
Transport
Luggage transfers, ferry crossings,
end-of-trip transfers.
Testimonials
What our guests say about the Snow Roads
Cycling the Snow Roads: travel day
Day 1: Arrive in Pitlochry
GATEWAY TO THE HIGHLANDS
Your journey begins in Pitlochry, a town steeped in Victorian charm and rich in history. Originally a Pictish settlement, Pitlochry's name, derived from Pit Cloich Aire, translates to place of the sentinel stone, hinting at its ancient roots.
The start hotel is just ten minutes’ walk from Pitlochry railway station. Trains run every hour between Edinburgh Waverley and Pitlochry. If you're driving, you may leave your car in the hotel car park until the end of the trip.
Your guide will meet you at the Skinny Tyres van in the car park from 3 pm.
We highly recommend taking your bike out for a short spin to ensure that everything is in working order after travelling to Scotland. A selection of warm-up rides around the area are included with your trip GPS files .
There is a welcome briefing for the whole group at 7 pm, then everyone dines together at 7.30 pm.
Cycling the Snow Roads: riding day
Day 2: Highland Perthshire
OUTLANDER COUNTRY
You start your Snow Roads holiday with a loop from Pitlochry deep into Highland Perthshire.
Riding on the fringes of the Cairngorm National Park, you head towards the towering presence of the fairy hill of the Caledonians, Schiehallion, a mountain steeped in scientific history and Gaelic legend.
A sweeping descent to Kinloch Rannoch and the tranquil shores of Loch Rannoch is followed by two further climbs as you ride towards Blair Atholl and Killiecrankie.
The Battle of Killiecrankie, fought in 1689, was one of the goriest battles in Scottish history. With Jacobite forces defeating the Hanoverian Government troops, the only means of escape for one fleeing government soldier was a spectacular 18 ft jump across the fast-flowing River Garry. This spot, known as Soldier's Leap, can still be visited today.
The stunning landscape around Highland Perthshire has long been a draw for film makers seeking wild, dramatic scenery. Many scenes in the hit TV series Outlander were shot on location in the area and the signature Craigh na Dun standing stones were filmed in Kinloch Rannoch. The stones in the show are props, but the mystical scenery of the moor and surrounding landscape is real.
54 miles
(87 km)
3945 ft
(1202 m)
Venture
Terrain and challenges:
Smooth tarmac and generally low traffic.
On the road to discovery:
The iconic peak of Schiehallion was chosen in 1774 as the site of a groundbreaking experiment to measure the mass of the Earth. Today, it stands as a testament to Scotland's rich scientific heritage.
Cycling the Snow Roads: riding day
Day 3: Royal Deeside
THE BEATING HEART OF ROYAL DEESIDE
Leaving the picturesque town of Pitlochry, you head into the Cairngorm National Park and over the Glenshee ski resort as you head down to Royal Deeside and Ballater. The road skirts the region of Angus, known as the birthplace of Scotland. Here, you can see hill forts and carved standing stones, marks left on the landscape by the indigenous Picts.
The first of our featured Snow Roads is the Cairnwell. At 2198 ft/ 670 m, it is the the third-highest paved road in the UK, and the highest pass. The climb starts at the Spittal of Glenshee and undulates through Gleann Beag. It's hard not to notice the point where the road steepens ahead. The last section of the climb to the ski resort passes the old road, ominously called the Devil's Elbow. As you reach the summit, the vista of the central Cairngorms dominates the view.
Descending from the summit of the Cairnwell into Braemar, you ride through ancient Caledonian pine forest in an area of outstanding beauty. Following the River Dee to the hotel in Ballater, you pass Crathie Church and the Highland residence of the royal family, Balmoral Castle.
74 miles
(119 km)
5344 ft
(1629 m)
Venture
Terrain and challenges:
tbu
On the road to discovery:
The Glenshee Ski Centre, Scotland's largest and oldest ski resort sits at the summit of the Cairnwell Pass and marks the border between Perthshire and Aberdeenshire.
Cycling the Snow Roads: riding day
Day 4: Speyside and Cairngorm
THE SUMMIT OF LEGENDS AND WHISKY GALORE
Today, you conclude your adventure with a ride to Cairngorm. However, you have to surmount the challenge of both Gairnshiel and The Lecht first.
The Lecht is the second of our featured Snow Roads. It's the fourth-highest paved road, and the second-highest pass in the UK. Although its summit is not as high as that of the Cairnwell, it is perhaps more spectacular with open views all around.
The descent from the Lecht takes you towards Tomintoul and Speyside, known worldwide for its whisky. There are seven distilleries on the route, including Glenlivet and Tamnavulin.
Cairngorm is the third and final featured Snow Road. The lowest of your three big climbs, it still reaches 2001 ft / 601 m. Approaching it, you pass through Grantown on Spey and Nethybridge, the village in the forest. At Loch Garten, you might be lucky enough to spot an osprey fishing.
The final leg takes you along the edge of Loch Morlich. At the sandy beach on its eastern flank you start to ascend Cairngorm. Your climb finishes at the end of the road (literally!) at the ski resort car park, but what goes up must come down and a thrilling descent back to Aviemore takes you to the hotel and an evening of celebration.
76 miles
(122 km)
5798 ft
(1767 m)
Venture
Terrain and challenges:
The gradients on the Lecht Road can be brutal, with ramps well into double digits and there is often a fierce headwind.
On the road to discovery:
Known for its winter sports since the 1890s, Cairngorm has a rich history of alpine adventure and offers fantastic panoramic views.
Cycling the Snow Roads: travel day
Day 6: Transfer from Aviemore
Departing from the hotel at 9 am, you will be transferred safely to Pitlochry where your Skinny Tyres road cycling holiday ends.
The 60-mile road transfer lasts nearly 1.5 hours. You arrive in Pitlochry at approximately 10.30 am.