Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 2 · Great North Trail (Northern Highlands)Stage 2 →
Fort Augustus to Contin
A hilly 85 km gravel route from Fort Augustus, Highland to Contin through Tomich, Struy and Fairburn, with 1,252 m of climbing. There is a 32 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 47–78). Mixed surface: 46% is mapped as paved and 54% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 84.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,252 m
- Riding time
- 7 h 04 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 32 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Fort Augustus → Contin
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,252 m
- 85 km
Route description
- Fort Augustus
- Tomich
- Struy
- Fairburn
- Marybank
- Kinnahaird
- Contin
Starting at Fort Augustus, the route immediately begins with a 4.9 km climb gaining 350 m at an average gradient of 7.2%, reaching 370 m elevation. After descending, a second climb begins at 12.4 km, lasting 6.9 km and gaining 426 m at 6.2%, summiting at 549 m around 19.3 km. From there, it descends for 8.9 km with a drop of 433 m to the lowest elevation of 11 m at 78.6 km.
The ride passes through places including Blairconard, Tomich at 29.9 km, Struy at 46.6 km, Fairburn at 74.3 km, Marybank at 78.1 km, Kinnahaird at 80.6 km, and ends at Contin at 82.2 km. After Struy, there is a 31.5 km stretch without cafés, shops, or water until Marybank. The surface is 46% paved and 54% gravel or unpaved, mainly on tracks (61%) and minor roads (27%). The road classes include 3 km on main roads and 3.7 km on major roads, with 6.7 km of main roads lacking cycle lanes and 25.7 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
Additional climbs occur between 46.9 km and 56.3 km with gradients up to 13.3%. Notable nearby peaks include Beinn Bhreac at 511 m near 17 km and Càrn nan Earb at 663 m near 20.1 km. Facilities at the start include cafés, convenience stores, drinking water, and petrol stations; at the finish, there is a convenience store.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 549 m, 19.3 km in.
- An 8.9 km descent dropping 433 m.
Highlights
- Climb from Fort Augustus with 7.2% average gradient
- High point at 549 m near 19 km
- 31.5 km stretch without food or water after Struy
- Longest descent 8.9 km dropping 433 m from 20.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 4.9 km · 350 m · 7.2 % · max 13.5 % | 370 m |
| Unnamed climb | 12.4 km | 6.9 km · 426 m · 6.2 % · max 13.7 % | 549 m |
| Unnamed climb | 46.9 km | 3.7 km · 167 m · 4.5 % · max 11.5 % | 221 m |
| Unnamed climb | 53.3 km | 3 km · 183 m · 6.2 % · max 13.3 % | 384 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 6.7 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 61% track · 27% minor road · 4% major road · 4% main road · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 6.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 25.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Tomich Road (3 km), A835 (3 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 46% is mapped as paved and 54% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 22% climbing · 29% descending · 49% flat
- Steep sections
- 10 km over 5% · 6.3 km over 8% · 3.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 12.3% at 14.4 km
- Longest descent
- 8.9 km from 20.5 km, dropping 433 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 32 km, from km 47 to 78. Along the route: 18 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 3 water points, 2 petrol stations and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmCaledonian Canal Centre · café · on the route
- 0.1 kmSpar · convenience store · on the route
- 0.1 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 30 m off route
- 0.1 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 0.1 kmGreat Glen · petrol station · on the route
- 0.1 kmPharmacy · 40 m off route
- 29.9 kmThe Coach House cafe · café · 40 m off route
- 35.5 kmToilets · 270 m off route
- 46.6 kmThe Struy Inn · restaurant · 30 m off route
- 78.1 kmBalloan House Hotel · pub · 300 m off route
- 82 kmJET · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 82.2 kmContin Stores · convenience store · 60 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.2 km — Loch Ness South Viewpoint (viewpoint)
- 27 km — Guisachan House (ruins)
- 48.2 km — Erchless Castle (castle)
Stay after this ride
- Riverside Campsite · campsite · 110 m from the finish
- Highland Hideaway · guest house · 150 m from the finish
- Coul House Hotel · hotel · 540 m from the finish
- Achilty House · guest house · 860 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Water
- Top Up Tap (90 m)
- Food and coffee
- Caledonian Canal Centre (30 m), Nourish Ness Community Café (100 m), Miele's Gelato (90 m)
- Shops
- Spar (80 m)
At the finish
- Shops
- Contin Stores (60 m)
Know before you go
- 31.5 km no café, shop or water between 46.6 km and 78.1 km
- 6.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 25.7 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
- 54% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces
