Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 5 · Highland Trail (part)Stage 2 →
Fort Augustus to Dornie
A mountainous 86 km gravel route from Fort Augustus, Highland to Dornie through Tomich, Athnamulloch and Innis a' Chrotha, with 1,433 m of climbing. The first 76 km has no café, shop or water. Mostly unpaved: 79% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 19% as paved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 86.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,433 m
- Riding time
- 7 h 11 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 76 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Fort Augustus → Dornie
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,433 m
- 86 km
Route description
- Fort Augustus
- Tomich
- Athnamulloch
- Innis a' Chrotha
- Morvich
- Inverinate
- Keppoch
- Dornie
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.
Why ride this route?
- The most climbing per kilometre of the 5 rides from Fort Augustus: 17 m per km.
- Tops out at 549 m, 18.8 km in.
- A 9.2 km descent dropping 435 m.
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 | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.6 km | 4.6 km · 345 m · 7.5 % · max 13 % | 389 m |
| Unnamed climb | 11.9 km | 6.9 km · 424 m · 6.2 % · max 14.8 % | 549 m |
| Unnamed climb | 30.2 km | 3.9 km · 205 m · 5.3 % · max 11.7 % | 314 m |
| Unnamed climb | 43.4 km | 1.5 km · 43 m · 3 % · max 6.3 % | 295 m |
| Unnamed climb | 56.1 km | 1.5 km · 60 m · 4.1 % · max 6.8 % | 326 m |
| Unnamed climb | 76.3 km | 3.1 km · 138 m · 4.4 % · max 7.6 % | 173 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 4.4 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 70% track · 13% minor road · 9% path · 5% major road · 2% other roads and tracks · 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
- Mostly unpaved: 79% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 19% as paved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 76 km, from the start. Along the route: 6 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop, 1 petrol station and 3 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
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
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Miele's Gelato (760 m), Monster Fish and Chips (760 m)
- Shops
- Spar (780 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- The Clachan (50 m), Dornie (80 m), All the Goodness (380 m)
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
