Hebridean Island Hopper
Fàilte gu costa an iar na h-Alba agus Eileanan Innse Gall
Welcome to the west coast of Scotland and the Hebridean islands
Our spellbinding Hebridean Island Hopper cycling holiday is a journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. It is a guided, fully supported tour across the islands of the Inner Hebrides and wild west coast of Scotland where rugged mountains, fractured coastline, sea lochs and Gaelic culture meet.
Dotted with picturesque villages, ancient castles, and white sandy beaches, these parts of Scotland possess a unique mix of Gaelic traditions, wildlife, and unspoiled beauty.
Hebridean Island Hopper
Introduced in 2024, our Hebridean Island Hopper cycling holiday weaves north across Scotland’s rugged west coast and the islands of Mull and Skye.
Scotland’s historic west coast
Our Hebridean Island Hopper cycling holiday
Our Hebridean Island Hopper tour is an exceptional experience, riding along some of the most scenic roads on Scotland’s west coast and the islands of the Inner Hebrides.
This spectacular route begins on Mull, rolling northward before hopping to the mainland. From Kilchoan, it traces the coast and crosses to the legendary Isle of Skye, returns briefly to the mainland, then sweeps back to Skye once more before looping to the mainland for the final stretch. (Still with us?)
The iconic Mam Ratagan pass and the otherworldly Quiraing punctuate the ride, while four ferry journeys across glittering sounds and sea lochs link the chains of this breathtaking adventure together.
This itinerary is brimming with wild landscapes, Gaelic culture and a deep sense of history that spills from every beach, loch and rock. In short, it is about the journey rather than the destination.
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.
Reviews
What our guests say
Cycling in the Hebridean islands: travel day
Day 1: Arrive in Oban
THE GATEWAY TO THE ISLES
Known as the gateway to the isles, Oban is renowned for its stunning waterfront, seafood restaurants and vibrant harbour. It’s the perfect place to begin your Hebridean Island Hopper vacation.
The start hotel is a five-minute walk from the railway station and has a long-term car park. 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. Routes around Oban will be included with your trip notes.
There is a welcome briefing for the whole group at 7 pm, then everyone dines together at 7.30 pm.
On the road to discovery:
Local points of interest include McCaig’s Tower and the 13th century Dunollie Castle.
The panoramic views of Oban from McCaig’s Tower are especially spectacular at sunset.
Founded in 1794, Oban Distillery is one of Scotland's oldest remaining distilleries. It is situated close to our hotel in the heart of town and runs daily tours.
Cycling in the Hebridean islands: riding day
Day 2: Oban to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull
THE WILD WEST COAST OF MULL
Your Hebridean Island Hopper cycling holiday starts early today with a 45-minute ferry journey to the Isle of Mull, an island with spectacular views and scenery.
You then ride west on a long, undulating climb towards Ishriff and the Three Lochs viewpoint.
The single-track road skirts a series of lochs then hugs the coastline as the steep slopes of Mull’s only munro, Ben More, tower above you to the right.
Your journey continues around the western edge of the island where the dramatic scenery is ever-changing, and on towards the white sand beach of Calgary Bay. Here you head inland, cycling eastwards to Tobermory, the colourful fishing port with a working distillery, and your home for the night.
Terrain and challenges:
Today’s route is entirely on single-track roads with passing places. The coastal sections are undulating so over the full distance you accumulate an impressive amount of climbing.
On the road to discovery:
After years of persecution, sea eagles were driven to extinction in the UK in 1918.
A reintroduction programme started on the Isle of Rum in 1975 and ten years later the first wild chick fledged on Mull. Today the Isle of Mull is a stronghold for the species.
Cycling in the Hebridean islands: riding day
Day 3: Tobermory to Mallaig via Ardnamurchan and Moidart
JACOBITES AND JACO-BIKES
Today’s ride takes you along some of the most beautiful coastal roads in the UK, with stretches through rare temperate rainforest.
A short ferry journey from Tobermory carries you across the Sound of Mull to Kilchoan. From here, you can take an optional out-and-back to Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse, the most westerly point on the British mainland. (Incidentally, this lighthouse marks the end point of our Coast to Coast cycling holiday.)
Back on the main route, you climb to the summit of Beinn nan Losgann, with views of the Isle of Skye and the Black Cuillin on clear days. A spectacular descent leads you to Loch Sunart.
You continue through Moidart, part of a protected area famed for its lochs, rugged coastline and cinematic landscapes. The final stretch follows the pristine white sand beaches of Arisaig and Morar, seen in the 1983 film Local Hero.
Your day ends in the bustling fishing town and ferry hub of Mallaig, gateway to the Isle of Skye.
Terrain and challenges:
A mix of single-track roads with passing places, quiet B-roads, and coastal rollers to start with.
Later in the day there is an 8-mile / 13 km stretch on a busier road. The van will be situated at the start of this section to give you a lift if you prefer not to cycle it.
On the road to discovery:
Among the many train services in Mallaig is the famous Jacobite Steam Train. The Jacobite runs between Fort William and Mallaig, passing through an area of great scenic beauty including alongside Loch Eil, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Arisaig.
Cycling in the Hebridean islands: riding day
Day 4: Mallaig to the Kyle of Lochalsh via Mam Ratagan
OVER THE SEA TO SKYE
Your day begins with a short ferry journey from Mallaig to Armadale, where your Hebridean Island Hopper route leaves the tourist trail and dives into a landscape of mountains, lochs and sea.
From Armadale, you ride through a quiet corner of the Isle of Skye with views of Loch Scavaig and the Black Cuillin rising from the water like a leviathan. Place names such as Tarskavaig and Talisker hint at the island’s Norse past, when longships sailed these coastal waters.
The afternoon features two ancient passes: Bealach Udal on Skye and Bealach Ratagan on the mainland. Both are sensational ascents with breathtaking views over the Rough Bounds of Knoydart. Between them lies the Kylerhea ferry, the world’s last manually operated turntable ferry.
After Shiel Bridge and Loch Duich, you climb once more into the hills of Kintail above Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed landmarks.
Your day in the saddle ends at the hotel in Erbusaig, just north of the Kyle of Lochalsh, where you stay for two nights.
Terrain and challenges:
The majority of the route is on single-track roads with passing places.
Today’s route is spectacular with a lot of climbing, with a total of approximately 15 miles / 24 km of ascending road.
There are two sections (5 miles and 3 miles) on a busier road. You have the option of a transfer in the van along these sections.
On the road to discovery:
Following the Jacobite rebellion of 1745, and their defeat at Culloden in 1746, the victorious Hanoverian army was stationed in barracks across the Highlands of Scotland in readiness for any future uprisings. The Bealach Ratagan led to Bernera Barracks in Glen Elg.
Cycling in the Hebridean islands: riding day
Day 5: The Trotternish Peninsula on the Isle of Skye
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DINOSAURS
Today, you explore the Trotternish Peninsula on the Isle of Skye, including the majestic Quiraing.
After a 45-minute transfer to the historic Sligachan Inn at the foot of the Black Cuillin, you cycle west then north into Trotternish.
A climb to the Quiraing summit takes you up hairpin bends beneath a series of imposing rock pinnacles described by poet Alexander Smith as "a nightmare of nature."
Descending from the Quiraing, you follow the escarpment south, passing the Kilt Rock viewpoint, waterfall, and the Old Man of Storr before arriving in Skye’s capital, Portree.
You have time to explore this thriving cultural centre before the 60-minute transfer back to your hotel in Erbusaig.
Terrain and challenges:
Aside from the Quiraing there are no specific climbs, but expect a significant accumulation of ascent over the miles.
On the road to discovery:
In 2002, a woman walking her dog on An Corran beach discovered footprints of a three-toed carnivorous Megalosaurus, a predatory dinosaur of the Mid-Jurassic period.
A short detour off our main route will take you to An Corran beach where you can see these prints at low tide.
Cycling in the Hebridean islands: riding day
Day 6: Kyle of Lochalsh to Shieldaig over the Bealach na Ba
THE HOLY GRAIL OF CLIMBING IN THE UK
Your Hebridean Island Hopper cycling holiday finishes in spectacular style with the Bealach na Ba, the UK’s longest road climb.
From your hotel, you follow Loch Carron to the village of Lochcarron before starting the main ascent at Tornapress. Gradients are gentle at first but steepen as you enter the jaws of Coire na Ba, the dramatic corrie flanked by gigantic rock walls. When you reach the hairpins the worst of the ascent is over and you can enjoy the astounding beauty of Loch Kishorn 2000 ft / 610 m below.
The descent to Applecross is a glorious roller coaster of a ride around the peninsula to tonight’s hotel, nestled in a sheltered bay in the village of Shieldaig.
Terrain and challenges:
Avg. gradient of 7% with a max. gradient of 15%.
Although this is a challenging undertaking, don’t let the stories intimidate you! We are there to support and encourage you.
On the road to discovery:
Simon Warren, author of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, wrote of the Bealach na Ba “This is it: The Holy Grail, the toughest and wildest climb in Britain. Anything you have read or been told about this amazing road is likely to be true. For once, you can believe the hype.”
Cycling in the Hebridean islands: travel day
Day 7: Transfer from Shieldaig
Departing from the hotel at 9 am, you will be transferred safely to Oban where your Skinny Tyres road cycling holiday ends.
The 145-mile road transfer lasts nearly four hours. There is a scheduled half-hour comfort stop at Emily’s Byre in Invergarry. You arrive in Oban at approximately 1.30 pm.