Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 2 · Great North Trail (Cape Wrath)← Stage 1
Durness to the end of the Great North Trail (Cape Wrath)
A mountainous 17 km gravel route from Durness, Highland to the end of the Great North Trail through Achiemore, Daill and An Innis Odhar, with 270 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 17.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 270 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 26 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 17 km
- Best months
- Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Durness → the end of the Great North Trail
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 270 m
- 17 km
Route description
- Durness
- Achiemore
- Daill
- An Innis Odhar
- the end of the Great North Trail
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 | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 2.8 km | 1.6 km · 84 m · 5.3 % · max 8.3 % | 105 m |
| Unnamed climb | 6.1 km | 1.9 km · 73 m · 3.8 % · max 5.5 % | 172 m |
| Unnamed climb | 14.7 km | 2.2 km · 59 m · 2.7 % · max 5.2 % | 112 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 100% minor road
- Main roads used
- Cape Wrath Lighthouse Road (17 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 17 km, from the start. Along the route: 1 café or restaurant and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
Stay after this ride
- Ozone Bunkhouse · hostel · 30 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Ozone Cafe (40 m)
Know before you go
- No café, shop, or water for 17.3 km
- 17.3 km on minor paved roads (Cape Wrath Lighthouse Road)
