Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 2 · Great North Trail (Northern Highlands)← Stage 1
Contin to Rosehall
A hilly 72 km gravel route from Contin, Highland to Rosehall through Garve, Little Garve and The Craigs, with 664 m of climbing. There is a 51 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 19–70). Mostly unpaved: 79% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 21% as paved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 72.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 664 m
- Riding time
- 6 h 01 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 51 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Contin → Rosehall
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 664 m
- 72 km
Route description
- Contin
- Garve
- Little Garve
- The Craigs
- Croick
- Gob na Foide
- Rosehall
This 72.2 km ride starts in Contin, passing through Garve, Little Garve, The Craigs, Croick, and Gob na Foide before finishing at Rosehall. The route has 664 m of climbing, mainly in the first half, including five main climbs between 1.9 km and 3.9 km in length, with gradients averaging 2.5% to 3.9% and maximums up to 6.8%. The highest point is at 363 m around 35.6 km.
The surface is predominantly gravel or unpaved (79%), with 21% paved. Most riding is on tracks (51.4 km), with smaller stretches on minor roads, quiet streets, a major road (4.5 km on the A835) and a path. There are 4.6 km without cycle lanes on main roads and 10.6 km where posted limits are 80 km/h or more.
Facilities are limited after about 19.3 km with the longest stretch without café, shop or water spanning 51.1 km until 70.4 km near Oykel Bridge Hotel. Bailout is possible at Garve station near 10.3 km. Other stops at Contin include a convenience store, and toilets are available near 1 km. Notable nearby peaks are Meall a' Chaorainn at 632 m near 35.4 km and Càrn na Speireig at 445 m near 45.2 km.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 363 m, 35.6 km in.
- A 5.8 km descent dropping 189 m.
Highlights
- Meall a' Chaorainn mountain near 35 km
- Croick broch archaeological site at 53.5 km
- Rogie Falls attraction near 3 km
- Longest descent of 5.8 km from 65.2 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.3 km | 1.9 km · 74 m · 3.9 % · max 5.6 % | 105 m |
| Unnamed climb | 11.2 km | 3.9 km · 96 m · 2.5 % · max 5 % | 176 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.5 km | 2.5 km · 78 m · 3.2 % · max 6.8 % | 306 m |
| Unnamed climb | 32.5 km | 2.2 km · 63 m · 2.9 % · max 4.9 % | 336 m |
| Unnamed climb | 61.6 km | 1.9 km · 69 m · 3.6 % · max 6 % | 226 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 4.6 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 73% track · 9% minor road · 9% quiet street · 6% major road · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 4.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 10.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A835 (5 km)
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved: 79% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 21% as paved.
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 22% descending · 54% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.5 km over 5%
- Longest descent
- 5.8 km from 65.2 km, dropping 189 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 51 km, from km 19 to 70. Along the route: 2 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 1 petrol station and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmContin Stores · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 0 kmJET · petrol station · 180 m off route
- 1 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 19.3 kmRiver Black Water Inn · pub · 100 m off route
- 70.4 kmOykel Bridge Hotel · pub · 90 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 10.3 km — Garve (station), 870 m off route
Worth a stop
- 3.1 km — Rogie Falls (attraction)
- 53.5 km — Croick, broch (archaeological site)
Start and access
At the start
- Shops
- Contin Stores (60 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Oykel Bridge Hotel (90 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch with no café, shop or water for 51 km from 19 km
- 4.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 10.6 km on roads with speeds over 80 km/h
- 79% gravel or unpaved surface