Road · United Kingdom
Stage 3 of 5 · Hebridean Way← Stage 2Stage 4 →
Borve to Balivanich
A flat 59 km road cycling route from Borve, Western Isles to Balivanich through Newton, Trumisgarry and Sollas, with 126 m of climbing. Most of it (49.4 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 1.3 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more.
At a glance
- Best for
- Flat, steady riding for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 59.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 126 m
- Riding time
- 4 h 14 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Borve → Balivanich
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 126 m
- 59 km
Route description
- Borve
- Newton
- Trumisgarry
- Sollas
- Balmartin
- Balranald
- Claddach Kirkibost
- Corunna
- Àird nan Srùban
- Balivanich
The route starts at Borve and proceeds northeast through Newton at 2.8 km and Clachan Sands at 4.7 km. The high point of 26 m is reached early at 4.4 km; the route then gently descends towards its lowest elevation of 0 m at 52.4 km. Along the way, it passes through numerous small settlements such as Reumisgarry, Trumisgarry, Sollas, Balmartin, and Paible.
The surface is 99% paved with a minor 1% gravel or unpaved and unmapped portions. Road types are mainly main roads for 49.4 km (84%), with some minor roads (9%) and quiet streets (6%). The longest named roads are the A865 for 38.1 km, B893 for 4.7 km, and B892 for 4.1 km. However, the entire 49.4 km length on main roads has no cycle lanes. There is also 1.3 km of roads with posted speeds of 80 km/h or more. Gradients are generally flat with 91% flat ground and only 3% climbing; no parts exceed 5% gradient.
Services along the route include a fast food outlet at 16.1 km, bakeries at 38.9 and 55.2 km, and supermarkets at 13.8, 34, and near the finish at 59 km. There are toilets at several points and even a bike repair stand at 38.9 km. The longest stretch with no café, shop, or water is 17.9 km from 16.1 km to 34 km. The ride ends at Balivanich, where facilities include a supermarket, bakery, hospital, restaurant, clinic, and pub.
Highlights
- Passes near Beinn a' Chaolais at 1.1 km
- Rides beneath Beinn Riabhach (117 m) at 23 km
- Follows the A865 for 38 km
- Ends at Balivanich with several services
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 83% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 1.3 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 84% main road · 9% minor road · 6% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 49.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A865 (38 km), B893 (5 km), B892 (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 3% climbing · 6% descending · 91% flat
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from km 16 to 34. Along the route: 10 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops, 2 petrol stations, 4 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 13.8 kmCo-op Sholais · supermarket · on the route
- 16.1 kmThe Wee Cottage Kitchen · fast food · on the route
- 28.7 kmToilets · 290 m off route
- 34 kmBayhead Shop · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 34 kmGulf · petrol station · on the route
- 38.9 kmThe Oystercatcher Bakery · bakery · 30 m off route
- 38.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 38.9 kmRepair stand · 30 m off route
- 55.2 kmMacLean's Bakery · bakery · 40 m off route
- 58.2 kmToilets · 180 m off route
- 58.6 kmBalivanich Health Clinic · clinic · on the route
- 59 kmLovats Shop · supermarket · 210 m off route
- 59 kmSeaview Filling Station · petrol station · 140 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Berneray Ferry Terminal (ferry), 1.4 km off route
Worth a stop
- 6.1 km — Dun (archaeological site)
- 13 km — Dun Toloman, dun site (archaeological site)
- 19.7 km — Crannog (archaeological site)
- 50.2 km — Dun (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Ceann Na Pairc · guest house · 2.1 km from the finish
- Nunton House Hostel · hostel · 2.2 km from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Macleans Cottage Bakery (270 m), Stepping Stone Restaurant (400 m), Low Flyer (400 m)
- Shops
- Lovats Shop (210 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- Uist and Barra Hospital (120 m), Balivanich Health Clinic (380 m)
Know before you go
- 49.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 1.3 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- Longest stretch with no café, shop, or water is 17.9 km from 16.1 to 34 km
