Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 5 of 5 · Highland Trail (part)← Stage 4
Contin to Fort Augustus
A hilly 90 km gravel route from Contin, Highland to Fort Augustus through Kinnahaird, Marybank and Fairburn, with 1,113 m of climbing. There is a 41 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 36–76). Mixed surface: 47% is mapped as paved and 53% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 89.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,113 m
- Riding time
- 7 h 30 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 41 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Contin → Fort Augustus
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,113 m
- 90 km
Route description
- Contin
- Kinnahaird
- Marybank
- Fairburn
- Struy
- Corrimony
- Invermoriston
- Fort Augustus
Starting in Contin, the route passes through Kinnahaird and Marybank before Fairburn at 7.8 km. The road features significant climbing early on, including a 2 km climb averaging 5.6% gradient from 6.2 km, and another 3.4 km climb averaging 3.4% from 8.8 km. It continues with gradual climbs past Struy at 35.7 km and Corrimony at 53 km, reaching the highest point of 510 m near 62.1 km.
The surface is roughly half paved and half gravel or unpaved, with 58% on tracks and 19% on minor roads. There are 13.5 km on main or major roads combined, including 7.6 km on A831 and 4.2 km on A887. Main roads without cycle lanes total 16 km, and nearly 30 km are on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or higher.
From Struy to Invermoriston (35.7 to 76.4 km), there is a 40.7 km stretch without cafés, shops or water. Food and drink options are available at Balloan House Hotel near 4.1 km, The Struy Inn at 35.7 km, and Glen Rowan Café close to 76.4 km. Shops can be found at Contin at the start and Invermoriston near 76.7 km, which also offers water and toilets.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 510 m, 62.1 km in.
- An 8.3 km descent dropping 416 m.
Highlights
- Climb to 510 m near 62 km
- Peaks near route: Cùl Mòr, Beinn an Rubha Riabhaich
- Long 40.7 km with no café or shop after Struy
- Pass through villages: Struy, Corrimony, Invermoriston
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 6.2 km | 2 km · 109 m · 5.6 % · max 9.3 % | 129 m |
| Unnamed climb | 8.8 km | 3.4 km · 114 m · 3.4 % · max 7.5 % | 236 m |
| Unnamed climb | 15.3 km | 1.1 km · 52 m · 5 % · max 7.3 % | 309 m |
| Unnamed climb | 24.4 km | 1.5 km · 55 m · 3.6 % · max 5.6 % | 384 m |
| Unnamed climb | 44.9 km | 3.6 km · 150 m · 4.2 % · max 8.2 % | 219 m |
| Unnamed climb | 53.6 km | 2.6 km · 133 m · 5.1 % · max 10.2 % | 286 m |
| Unnamed climb | 57.7 km | 4.5 km · 232 m · 5.2 % · max 9.5 % | 510 m |
| Unnamed climb | 76.7 km | 1.2 km · 45 m · 3.8 % · max 6.5 % | 89 m |
| Unnamed climb | 85.2 km | 1.3 km · 45 m · 3.5 % · max 6.4 % | 96 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 16 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 58% track · 19% minor road · 10% main road · 8% major road · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 16 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 29.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A831 (8 km), A887 (4 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 47% is mapped as paved and 53% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 22% descending · 55% flat
- Steep sections
- 9 km over 5% · 2.1 km over 8% · 0.3 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 9.9% at 56.2 km
- Longest descent
- 8.3 km from 66.4 km, dropping 416 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 41 km, from km 36 to 76. Along the route: 3 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 2 water points, 1 petrol station and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmContin Stores · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 0.1 kmJET · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 4.1 kmBalloan House Hotel · pub · 300 m off route
- 35.7 kmThe Struy Inn · restaurant · 160 m off route
- 76.4 kmGlen Rowan Cafe · café · on the route
- 76.7 kmInvermoriston Community Store · convenience store · 30 m off route
- 76.7 kmSt Columba's Well · spring · 30 m off route
- 76.7 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 87 kmPharmacy · 790 m off route
Worth a stop
- 25.6 km — Cnoc Eille Mor (peak, 403 m)
- 33.8 km — Erchless Castle (castle)
- 53.2 km — Corrimony Cairn (archaeological site)
- 62.7 km — Shooting Bothy (ruins)
- 67.4 km — Meall na Faiche (peak, 498 m)
- 85.9 km — Cherry Island, Crannog (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Appin House · guest house · 460 m from the finish
- Rose Cottage B&B · guest house · 460 m from the finish
- Sonas Bed and Breakfast · guest house · 470 m from the finish
- Old Pier House · hotel · 480 m from the finish
- Morag’s Lodge · hostel · 630 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Shops
- Contin Stores (60 m)
Know before you go
- 40.7 km without café, shop or water from km 35.7 to 76.4
- 16 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 29.9 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 53% of route on gravel or unpaved surface