Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 5 · Highland Trail (part)← Stage 1Stage 3 →
Dornie to Kinlochewe
A mountainous 73 km gravel route from Dornie, Highland to Kinlochewe through Ardelve, Conchra and Sallachy, with 1,169 m of climbing. There is a 29 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 25–54). Mixed surface: 61% is mapped as paved and 38% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 72.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,169 m
- Riding time
- 6 h 03 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 29 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Dornie → Kinlochewe
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,169 m
- 73 km
Route description
- Dornie
- Ardelve
- Conchra
- Sallachy
- Attadale
- Achintee
- New Kelso
- Coulags
- Annat
- Kinlochewe
The route starts at Dornie and heads through Ardelve, Conchra, Alt nan Sùbh, and Sallachy before reaching Attadale at 20.8 km. The road surface is mixed: 61% paved and 38% gravel or unpaved, with 44% of the ride on main roads including the A896 and A890 for 17.3 km and 13.6 km respectively. There are 32.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes, and 38.6 km on roads with speed limits above 80 km/h.
Climbing is focused mainly in the first half, with 58% of the elevation gain before the halfway point. Major climbs include a 3.1 km section at 7.3% average from 12.1 km and two steep climbs of 5.1 km at 6.9% and 2.7 km at 9.6% between 34.6 km and 42.6 km, reaching the highest point at 646 m. Descents include a longest sustained descent lasting 6 km with a drop of 265 m. The route passes near peaks such as Sgorr Ruadh (962 m) and Beinn Liath Mhòr (926 m).
Amenities at the start include multiple pubs, cafés, a bakery and fast food outlets. Food and drink stops along the way are limited, with cafes or restaurants at 0.8 km, 25.2 km (Strathcarron), and near the finish at 69.9 km. There is a 29.1 km stretch without shops, cafés or water from 25.2 km to 54.3 km. Bailout points with stations are at Attadale (21.4 km) and Achnashellach (36 km). Facilities like toilets and drinking water can be found at several points, notably around km 54.3 and at the finish in Kinlochewe at 70 km.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 646 m, 42.6 km in.
- A 6 km descent dropping 265 m.
Highlights
- Highest point at 646 m near km 42.6
- Long 29.1 km stretch without café, shop or water (25.2-54.3 km)
- Passes beneath peaks Sgorr Ruadh (962 m) and Beinn Liath Mhòr (926 m)
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 9.3 km | 2.3 km · 43 m · 1.8 % · max 3.2 % | 50 m |
| Unnamed climb | 12.1 km | 3.1 km · 228 m · 7.3 % · max 11 % | 276 m |
| Unnamed climb | 20.8 km | 1.6 km · 57 m · 3.6 % · max 7.8 % | 70 m |
| Unnamed climb | 34.6 km | 5.1 km · 355 m · 6.9 % | 388 m |
| Unnamed climb | 39.9 km | 2.7 km · 256 m · 9.6 % · max 16.1 % | 646 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (32.3 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 44% main road · 30% path · 11% minor road · 8% track · 7% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 32.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 38.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A896 (17 km), A890 (14 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 61% is mapped as paved and 38% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 23% descending · 54% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.3 km over 5% · 5.3 km over 8% · 3.3 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 17.7% at 38.8 km
- Longest descent
- 6 km from 15.9 km, dropping 265 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 29 km, from km 25 to 54. Along the route: 12 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 2 water points, 1 petrol station and 7 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.3 kmCoffee Shop · toilets · 180 m off route
- 0.8 kmAll the Goodness · café · 50 m off route
- 21.4 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 25.2 kmStrathcarron Hotel · restaurant · 30 m off route
- 54.3 kmWater tap · 160 m off route
- 54.3 kmToilets · 160 m off route
- 69.9 kmThe Old Hall Cafe · café · 40 m off route
- 70 kmKinlochewe Village Stores · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 70 kmDrinking water · 200 m off route
- 70 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 70 kmKinlochewe Service Station · petrol station · 130 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 21.4 km — Attadale (station), on the route
- 36 km — Achnashellach (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Broch site (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Taransay B&B · guest house · 130 m from the finish
- Kinlochewe Bunkhouse · hostel · 120 m from the finish
- Beinn Eighe Campsite · campsite · 2.3 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- The Clachan (50 m), All the Goodness (380 m), Dornie (80 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- The Old Hall Cafe (190 m), The Coffee Shop (140 m), Kinlochewe Hotel (140 m)
- Shops
- Kinlochewe Village Stores (60 m), Kinlochewe Service Station (140 m)
Know before you go
- 29.1 km with no café, shop or water from 25.2 km to 54.3 km
- 32.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 38.6 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 38% of route on gravel or unpaved surface
