Gravel · From the map · United Kingdom
Fort Augustus to Dornie
- 86 km
- 1,433 m
- Hard
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 1,433 m
- 86 km
Route overview
Riders prepared for a long distance with significant climbing and mixed surfaces.
Stage 1 of 5 of the Highland Trail (part): 86.2 km from Fort Augustus to Dornie with 1433 m of climbing, on the signed route.
Starting near Fort Augustus, the route immediately begins climbing for 4.6 km at an average gradient of 7.5%, reaching 389 m above sea level. The road here is primarily track with some minor road sections later, including 4.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes and several climbs, the longest being 6.9 km at 6.2%. The highest point, 549 m, occurs around 18.8 km. The ride proceeds past several places such as Tomich, Athnamulloch, and Morvich before reaching Dornie at 82.1 km. Along the way, the surface is mostly gravel or unpaved (79%) with 19% paved. There is a long stretch of 75.5 km without cafés, shops or water lasting from near the start to Inverinate at 76.1 km. Fuel is available at the JET petrol station in Inverinate. Peaks near the route include Creag an Iarlain near the start, Càrn nan Earb at 19.5 km, and others. At the finish, cafés and pubs are available in Dornie. Toilets can be found at km 42 and close to the finish.
Highlights
- Climb near Fort Augustus with max 13% gradient
- Highest point at 549 m near 18.8 km
- Long 75.5 km stretch without cafés or water
- Lookout to Eilean Donan Castle near finish
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 0.6 km | 4.6 km | 345 m | 7.5 % | 13 % | 389 m |
| — | 11.9 km | 6.9 km | 424 m | 6.2 % | 14.8 % | 549 m |
| — | 30.2 km | 3.9 km | 205 m | 5.3 % | 11.7 % | 314 m |
| — | 43.4 km | 1.5 km | 43 m | 3 % | 6.3 % | 295 m |
| — | 56.1 km | 1.5 km | 60 m | 4.1 % | 6.8 % | 326 m |
| — | 76.3 km | 3.1 km | 138 m | 4.4 % | 7.6 % | 173 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 70% track · 13% minor road · 9% path · 5% major road · 1% unmapped
- Main roads
- 4.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 12.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Carr Brae (6 km), A87 (4 km)
- Surface
- 19% paved · 79% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 31% descending · 42% flat
- Steep sections
- 11.9 km over 5% · 5.1 km over 8% · 2.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 12.5% at 14.5 km
- Longest descent
- 9.2 km from 20.5 km, dropping 435 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 76 km, from 1 km to 76 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0.6 kmMiele's Gelato · ice cream · 400 m off route
- 0.6 kmSpar · convenience store · 400 m off route
- 0.6 kmPharmacy · 390 m off route
- 42 kmToilets · 280 m off route
- 76.1 kmJET · petrol station · 80 m off route
- 81.6 kmCoffee Shop · toilets · 160 m off route
- 82.1 kmThe Clachan · pub · 50 m off route
Worth a stop
- 2 km — Creag an Iarlain (peak)
- 73.2 km — Dunan Diarmid, dun site (archaeological site)
- 81.1 km — lookout to Eilean Donan Castle (viewpoint)
At the start
- Miele's Gelato · ice cream · 760 m
- Monster Fish and Chips · fast food · 760 m
- Spar · convenience store · 780 m
At the finish
- The Clachan · pub · 50 m
- Dornie · pub · 80 m
- All the Goodness · café · 380 m
Stay after this ride
- Clachan B&B · guest house · 70 m from the finish
- Dornie Hotel · hotel · 70 m from the finish
- Sonas Carr Brae Dornie B&B · guest house · 90 m from the finish
- Donan House · guest house · 220 m from the finish
- Eilean Donan Apartments · guest house · 420 m from the finish
Practical information
- Mixed
- Point to point
- 7 h 11 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 75.5 km without café, shop or water from 0.6 km to 76.1 km
- 4.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 12.1 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 79% gravel or unpaved surface
