Coast to Coast

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MACBETH

Already just a stone’s throw from the east coast, you start your journey from the hotel, warming up your legs with a gentle roll through Scott Park and onto the promenade by Montrose Beach. After dipping your toes in the North Sea and posing for an all-important photo, you pick up the cycle path through town, threading your way past cafés and quiet residential streets. This smooth, largely traffic-free stretch takes you to Hillside, where the gradients start to show their teeth a little.

You then head inland towards Brechin then north on a scenic back road with light traffic and a gradually rising profile. The countryside here starts to unfold into patchwork fields and dry-stone walls.

There is a great photo opportunity at the impressive Dalhousie Memorial Arch which marks the southern approach to Edzell. After this grand gateway, there is an option to stop for coffee before things start to get serious as you head towards Fettercairn and the formidable climb that is the Cairn o’ Mount. This is a proper Highland ascent: long, exposed, and often at the mercy of swirling winds. Expect gradients touching 20%, with sustained ramps that’ll have you in your easiest gear. There is no pain without gain and your efforts will be rewarded with stunning views back over the Mearns.

Your descent to the Bridge of Dye and into Royal Deeside is dramatic with wide Highland vistas. Expect mossy verges, twisting lanes through forests, and a sense that you’ve left the world behind as you enter the Cairngorm National Park.

Beyond Aboyne is the Tower o’ Ess. This Victorian gatehouse to the Glen Tanar Estate is on your left as you cross the Water of Tanar.

The final leg to the hotel passes through birch and pine forest with glimpses of the River Dee on your right.

Your destination is Ballater, a bustling wee town whose main street is lined with shops bearing the royal warrant.

FROM ROYAL DEESIDE TO WHISKY-DRENCHED SPEYSIDE

Today you pass numerous whisky distilleries as you head through the heart of Speyside. This stunning section of the Coast to Coast route traverses moorlands, ancient pine forests, peaceful back roads, and classic Highland climbs.

From Ballater, you follow the main Deeside road before turning toward the mountains on a lively, undulating route. After crossing the River Gairn, the road rises over Gairnshiel and descends into Donside, where the 15th century Corgarff Castle appears on your left. As you approach, an ominous sign warns: 20% Low Gear NOW.

You’re on the Lecht. This is one of the featured climbs of our Snow Roads cycling holiday, and is a demanding, sustained ascent over the fourth-highest road pass in the UK. With its punchy gradients, wild sense of remoteness, and a howling headwind more often than not, it makes for an exhilarating ride.

From the summit, you descend to Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands, for a well-earned lunch. From here, the route leaves the Cairngorms along the edge of the Hills of Cromdale, crossing exposed uplands with sweeping views and rolling climbs, before drifting gently downhill on a quiet road through the heart of Abernethy Forest to the wooded haven of Nethy Bridge.

INTO THE WILDS OF THE MONADHLIATH MOUNTAINS

Leaving the hotel, you ride deep into Caledonian pine forest, heading toward Carrbridge, where you join National Cycle Route 7. After crossing Findhorn Bridge, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d slipped back in time as you venture into the almost uninhabited, untamed landscape of the Monadhliath Mountains, with quiet roads and the occasional Victorian-era hunting lodge.

You climb onto open moorland at around 1500 ft before descending the final 15 miles / 24 km to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Tonight’s hotel overlooks the River Ness, right in the heart of town. As today is a shorter day of riding, you have plenty of time to explore Inverness.

IN SEARCH OF MONSTERS

Today you follow the Great Glen Way through some of the most picturesque landscapes in the Scottish Highlands. You start by crossing the tranquil Ness Islands, a series of wooded islets linked by elegant Victorian footbridges. As you head south leaving the city behind, the route joins sections of the Caledonian Canal, which you'll follow at various points along the way.

The ride the down the southern side of Loch Ness on a route which is renowned for its solitude, beauty, and gentle gradients.

The terrain undulates gently at first, with some longer climbs near Dores. As you approach the small village of Foyers, the landscape becomes more wooded and dramatic, with some steeper pitches that will challenge the legs but reward the eyes. The Waterfall Café in Foyers, is perfectly situated near the famous Falls of Foyers, a powerful cascade that plunges into a deep gorge surrounded by lush forest. It’s a great place to rest, refuel with fresh coffee and home baking, and take in one of the natural wonders of the Great Glen.

The final leg to Fort Augustus takes you through quiet forestry roads and open moorland before descending gently into the village. You rejoin the Caledonian Canal at the iconic Fort Augustus Locks, where boats step down toward Loch Ness in a series of scenic stages. Your ride ends at the Loch Ness Gate House Hotel ideally located near the heart of the village and the canal.

THE GREAT GLEN TO NEPTUNE'S STAIRCASE

As you follow the Great Glen southward toward Fort William, today's route combines some sections of gravel cycle path (Sustrans NCN 78), quiet roads and historic canal infrastructure, all framed by rugged Highland peaks and ending in the shadow of Ben Nevis.

You begin following the Great Glen Way along the edge of the Caledonian Canal to Loch Oich and the Bridge of Oich, a historic suspension bridge.

You then follow a disused railway line, on compact gravel surfaces towards Laggan Locks. The route continues down the west side of Loch Lochy on forest gravel tracks with a few undulating rises to keep your legs in motion. Arriving at Mile Dorcha, the dark mile, you rejoin the peaceful Caledonian Canal towpath which takes you to Banavie, where you’ll encounter Neptune’s Staircase. This dramatic flight of eight canal locks is a must-see engineering feat.

A few kilometres further on, the haunting ruins of Inverlochy Castle, set beneath the towering presence of Ben Nevis indicate that today’s destination is close by.

Upon arrival in Fort William, you have an opportunity to join us on an excursion to Glen Nevis and a walk to the Flats of Steall.

INTO THE TEMPERATE RAINFOREST

The scenic 5-minute ferry ride across Loch Linnhe from the centre of Fort William marks the start of your journey today. This very small ferry only transports foot passengers and cyclists (with their bikes!) so when you disembark, you cycle along the peaceful shores of Loch Linnhe to meet your guide in Corran.

You then have a choice between two dramatic routes; one heading inland, the other hugging the coastline. These rejoin at Strontian, and undulate along the shores of Loch Sunart which is known for its rich biodiversity and Atlantic oakwoods. 

Continuing west, you turn towards Ardnamurchan and the final leg of your tour with wide Atlantic views and rolling terrain through birch and oak woodland. 

Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse, situated at the most westerly point on mainland Britain, is your iconic destination. On a clear day, you can see the Inner Hebrides, including the isles of Rum, Eigg, and Muck.