Road · United Kingdom
Stage 5 of 5 · Hebridean Way← Stage 4
Ardmore to Vatersay
A rolling 20 km road cycling route from Ardmore, Western Isles to Vatersay through Northbay, Cuier and Grinn, with 118 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 20 km
- Elevation gain
- 118 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 26 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Ardmore → Vatersay
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 118 m
- 20 km
Route description
- Ardmore
- Northbay
- Cuier
- Grinn
- Allasdale
- Borve
- Tangasdale
- Kentangaval
- Nask
- Vatersay
The route begins in Ardmore and heads south through Northbay, Cuier, Grinn, and Allasdale before reaching Borve and Tangasdale. It continues onward through Kentangaval, Nask, and Caolas before finishing at Vatersay. The ride covers 20 km with an elevation gain of 118 m, and features mostly flat terrain with some moderate climbs, with the highest point at 51 m at 13.1 km. The longest descent lasts 1.4 km, starting just after this high point.
The surface is 97% paved, with minor gravel or unpaved sections making up 2%, and a small amount unmapped. The roads ridden are almost evenly split between 9.4 km on minor roads and 9.3 km on main roads (all on the A888), with small portions on quiet streets and paths. The main roads lack cycle lanes for their entire length of 9.3 km. There is a long stretch of 9.9 km from km 9 to 18.9 without a café, shop, or water.
Places along the route include the archaeological sites near km 3, 8.8, and 15.5 off route by a small distance. Cafés are available near the start at Gàradh a’ Bhàgh a’ Tuath (385 m off route at 1.7 km), fast food at 9 km (30 m off route), and at the finish at Vatersay Hall Cafe. Drinking water and toilets can be found at 19 km near the end of the ride. Bail-out points via ferry are at Ardmore at the start and Castlebay at 12.1 km off route.
Highlights
- Vatersay Hall Cafe at 20 km finish
- Highest point 51 m at 13.1 km
- Archaeological site near Cuier at 3 km
- Peaks Bealach a' Mhaim and Heishival Mòr near route
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (9.3 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 47% minor road · 47% main road · 5% quiet street · 3% path
- Main roads
- 9.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- A888 (9 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 16% climbing · 12% descending · 72% flat
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 4 cafés and restaurants, 1 water point and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.7 kmGàradh a’ Bhàgh a’ Tuath · café · 390 m off route
- 9 kmFish box kitchen · fast food · 30 m off route
- 12.5 kmSt Brendan's Hospital · hospital · 650 m off route
- 18.9 kmVatersay Hall Cafe · café · on the route
- 19 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 19 kmToilets · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Àird Mhòr (ferry), 1.4 km off route
- 12.1 km — Castlebay (ferry), 1.1 km off route
Worth a stop
- 3 km — Dun (now inundated) (archaeological site)
- 8.8 km — Dun Borve, site of (archaeological site)
- 15.5 km — Dun a' Chaolais, Broch (archaeological site)
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Vatersay Hall Cafe (950 m)
Know before you go
- 9.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 9.9 km without café, shop, or water from km 9 to 18.9
- Short gravel/unpaved section 2% of route