Dornie to Kinlochewe
- 73 km
- 1,169 m
- Hard
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 1,169 m
- 73 km
Route overview
Riders prepared for a long 72.5 km route with 1169 m of climbing, including steep sections and mixed surfaces.
Stage 2 of 5 of the Highland Trail (part): 72.5 km from Dornie to Kinlochewe with 1169 m of climbing, on the signed route.
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.
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)
- Climbs up to 20% steepness near km 38.8
- Passes beneath peaks Sgorr Ruadh (962 m) and Beinn Liath Mhòr (926 m)
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 9.3 km | 2.3 km | 43 m | 1.8 % | 3.2 % | 50 m |
| — | 12.1 km | 3.1 km | 228 m | 7.3 % | 11 % | 276 m |
| — | 20.8 km | 1.6 km | 57 m | 3.6 % | 7.8 % | 70 m |
| — | 34.6 km | 5.1 km | 355 m | 6.9 % | 20 % | 388 m |
| — | 39.9 km | 2.7 km | 256 m | 9.6 % | 16.1 % | 646 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 44% main road · 30% path · 11% minor road · 8% track
- 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
- 61% paved · 38% 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
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 29 km, from 25 km to 54 km.
Food, water and shops
- 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)
At the start
- The Clachan · pub · 50 m
- All the Goodness · café · 380 m
- Dornie · pub · 80 m
- Manuela's Wee Bakery · bakery · 870 m
- PizzaJo · fast food · 850 m
At the finish
- The Old Hall Cafe · café · 190 m
- Kinlochewe Village Stores · convenience store · 60 m
- The Coffee Shop · café · 140 m
- Kinlochewe Service Station · convenience store · 140 m
- Kinlochewe Hotel · pub · 140 m
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
Practical information
- Mixed
- Point to point
- 6 h 03 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 16–17 °C in those months
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