Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Elgin to Inverness
- 82 km
- 465 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 465 m
- 82 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders prepared for moderate climbs over a long 82 km distance.
Stage 7 of 7 of the EuroVelo 12 from Edinburgh: 82.1 km from Elgin to Inverness with 465 m of climbing, on the signed route.
Starting in Elgin, the route passes through Newmill and Bishopmill within the first kilometre. It climbs early with a 1.2 km ascent beginning at 1.4 km, gaining 46 m at an average 4% gradient. The ride continues through several small places including North Alves, Coltfield, and Kinloss before reaching Forres at 24 km. Road types are mostly minor roads (80%), with some cycle paths, quiet streets, paths, and a short section on main roads. The road surface is 97% paved, with a small 2% gravel or unpaved section. After Forres, the route passes through Nairn at 44 km where a long stretch of 25.5 km follows without cafés, shops or water until 69.6 km near the Cumberland Stone monument. There are two more climbs: a 1.7 km ascent from 49.6 km gaining 74 m at 4.3%, and a 1.5 km ascent at 67.9 km gaining 44 m at 3%. The highest point of 176 m occurs at 60.1 km. The descent following the second climb drops 110 m over 2.8 km. The ride ends in Inverness at 80.5 km with various cafés and shops nearby.
Highlights
- Climbs at 1.4 km, 49.6 km and 67.9 km
- Highest point 176 m at 60.1 km
- Long 25.5 km stretch without café or shop after Nairn
- Places: Elgin, Forres, Nairn, Inverness
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1.4 km | 1.2 km | 46 m | 4 % | 6.8 % | 69 m |
| — | 49.6 km | 1.7 km | 74 m | 4.3 % | 6.2 % | 130 m |
| — | 67.9 km | 1.5 km | 44 m | 3 % | 5 % | 149 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 80% minor road · 8% cycle path · 5% quiet street · 2% path
- Main roads
- 1.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 35.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 8.2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Lochloy Road (8 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 12% climbing · 12% descending · 76% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.1 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6% at 2 km
- Longest descent
- 2.8 km from 71 km, dropping 110 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 26 km, from 44 km to 70 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmMNMs Cafe · café · 60 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 280 m off route
- 0 kmHighland Bikes · bike shop · 240 m off route
- 0.6 kmTesco Extra · supermarket · 180 m off route
- 19.9 kmThe Abbey Inn · pub · 40 m off route
- 19.9 kmSpar · convenience store · on the route
- 20 kmSea Park Filling Station · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 24.2 kmMosset Tavern · pub · 350 m off route
- 33.4 kmOld Mill Inn · restaurant · 150 m off route
- 43.8 kmScotmid · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 44 kmCafé Nairn · café · 110 m off route
- 44.1 kmBoots · pharmacy · 270 m off route
- 72.3 kmWellside Cafe · café · 110 m off route
- 78 kmTesco Extra · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 78 kmTesco Customer Toilets · toilets · 120 m off route
- 78.6 kmKingswell Service Station · petrol station · 30 m off route
- 80.3 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 30 m off route
- 80.3 kmFalcon Square E-Bike Hire · bike rental · 100 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Elgin (station), 910 m off route
- 24.5 km — Forres (station), 260 m off route
- 44.5 km — Nairn (station), 520 m off route
- 80.3 km — Inverness (station), 220 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.9 km — Elgin Castle (castle)
- 19.7 km — Kinloss Abbey (ruins)
- 24.1 km — Benromach Distillery (attraction)
- 33 km — Rodney's Stone (attraction)
- 64.4 km — Cantraydoune Motte (archaeological site)
- 69.6 km — Cumberland Stone (monument)
At the start
- MNMs Cafe · café · 60 m
- Ashers Bakery · bakery · 190 m
- Walkers Shortbread · patisserie · 200 m
- Costa · café · 230 m
- Aldi · supermarket · 220 m
At the finish
- Birch Cafe · café · 30 m
- Caffè Nero · café · 120 m
- The Caledonian · pub · 20 m
- McDonald's · fast food · 30 m
- Aye Eat · restaurant · 30 m
Stay after this ride
- City Hostel · hostel · 40 m from the finish
- The Waverly Guest House · hotel · 110 m from the finish
- Mercure Inverness · hotel · 120 m from the finish
- Kinloch Lodge · guest house · 170 m from the finish
- Market Brae Guest House · guest house · 170 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 5 h 52 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 25.5 km without café, shop or water from km 44.1 to 69.6
- 1.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 35.9 km on roads with 80 km/h or more speed limit
