Durness to the end of the Great North Trail (Cape Wrath)
- 17 km
- 270 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 270 m
- 17 km
Route overview
Riders suited to a moderate 17 km ride with 270 m of climbing.
Stage 2 of 2 of the Great North Trail (Cape Wrath): 17.3 km from Durness to the end of the Great North Trail (Cape Wrath) with 270 m of climbing, on the signed route.
The route begins in Durness and runs along the Cape Wrath Lighthouse Road for 17.3 km entirely on paved minor roads. Early on, it passes the small places of Achiemore at 2.2 km and Daill at 2.6 km before reaching the climb beginning at 2.8 km. This first climb is 1.6 km long with an average gradient of 5.3%, reaching 105 m altitude after gaining 84 m. Continuing, the route reaches An Innis Odhar at 6.4 km before a longer 1.9 km climb starting at 6.1 km. This climb gains 73 m at an average of 3.8%, topping out at 172 m around 8.1 km, the highest point along the route. From there, the route descends for 2.9 km dropping 113 m until 11.2 km. The last climb starts at 14.7 km, climbs 59 m over 2.2 km at 2.7% average gradient, reaching 112 m about 17 km into the ride. There are no cafés, shops, or water stops on route until the finish, where Ozone Cafe and toilets lie just off route at 17.3 km. A ferry bailout is available near the start at 0 km. Peaks near the route include Beinn an Amair at 0.3 km and Dùnan Mòr at 16.9 km off route.
Highlights
- Cape Wrath Lighthouse Road
- Beinn an Amair near start
- Dùnan Mòr peak near finish
- Highest point at 172 m, 8.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 2.8 km | 1.6 km | 84 m | 5.3 % | 8.3 % | 105 m |
| — | 6.1 km | 1.9 km | 73 m | 3.8 % | 5.5 % | 172 m |
| — | 14.7 km | 2.2 km | 59 m | 2.7 % | 5.2 % | 112 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 100% minor road
- Main roads used
- Cape Wrath Lighthouse Road (17 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 35% climbing · 29% descending · 36% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.2 km over 5% · 0.5 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.2% at 3.1 km
- Longest descent
- 2.9 km from 8.3 km, dropping 113 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 17 km, from 0 km to 17 km.
Food, water and shops
- 17.3 kmOzone Cafe · café · on the route
- 17.3 kmToilets · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Ferry, 400 m off route
Worth a stop
- 16.9 km — Dùnan Mòr (peak, 163 m)
At the finish
- Ozone Cafe · café · 40 m
Stay after this ride
- Ozone Bunkhouse · hostel · 30 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 1 h 26 min
- Aug — daily highs of 16 °C in those months
Know before you go
- No café, shop, or water for 17.3 km
- 17.3 km on minor paved roads (Cape Wrath Lighthouse Road)