Road · United Kingdom
Caledonia Way
A hilly 38 km road cycling route from Dores, Highland through Inverfarigaig, Foyers and Dalcrag, with 425 m of climbing. Most of it (36.9 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 35.5 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 20 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 18–38).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 38.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 425 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 43 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 20 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Dores
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 425 m
- 38 km
Route description
- Dores
- Inverfarigaig
- Foyers
- Dalcrag
- Whitebridge
The route starts at Dores and heads northwest, passing Inverfarigaig at 12.8 km and climbing gently beyond this point. The first climb begins at 12.1 km lasting 2.7 km with an average gradient of 2.7% gaining 72 m to reach 100 m elevation. The second climb starts at 16 km, is 3 km long with a 3.1% average gradient, rising 94 m up to 191 m height near Foyers. The third and longest climb starts at 25.6 km, length 4.2 km, and gains 162 m at an average gradient of 3.9%, peaking at 382 m by 29.8 km near Suidhe Chuimein.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 382 m, 29.8 km in.
Highlights
- Climb near Inverfarigaig up to 100 m
- Climb near Foyers reaching 191 m
- Longest climb past Dalcrag to 382 m
- Viewpoint at Suidhe Chuimein around 29.7 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 12.1 km | 2.7 km · 72 m · 2.7 % · max 5.2 % | 100 m |
| Unnamed climb | 16 km | 3 km · 94 m · 3.1 % · max 7.3 % | 191 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.6 km | 4.2 km · 162 m · 3.9 % · max 6.5 % | 382 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 97% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 35.5 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 97% main road · 2% path · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 36.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 35.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B852 (21 km), B862 (16 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 19% descending · 55% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.2 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.9% at 18.1 km
- Longest descent
- 2.5 km from 35.5 km, dropping 179 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 20 km, from km 18 to 38. Along the route: 9 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 13.2 kmToilets · 150 m off route
- 17.3 kmWaterfall Cafe · café · on the route
- 17.3 kmFoyers Stores · convenience store · on the route
- 17.4 kmFalls of Foyers Toilets · toilets · 30 m off route
- 38 kmPapa G's · restaurant · 140 m off route
- 38 kmPharmacy · 540 m off route
Worth a stop
- 17.4 km — Upper Viewpoint (viewpoint)
- 29.7 km — Suidhe Chuimein (viewpoint)
Stay after this ride
- Monks Retreat B&B · guest house · 170 m from the finish
- The White House B&B · guest house · 250 m from the finish
- Caledonian Hotel · hotel · 270 m from the finish
- Loch Ness Guest House · guest house · 300 m from the finish
- Oaklands B&B · guest house · 320 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Papa G's (140 m), Nourish Ness Community Café (390 m), Richmond House Hotel Bar & Restaurant (340 m)
Know before you go
- 36.9 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 35.5 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more
- 2.2 km climbing over 5% gradient
- 20.1 km without café, shop or water from 17.9 to 38 km
