Gravel · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 78 (North)
A rolling 53 km mixed-surface cycling route from Fort Augustus, Highland through Kytra Lock, Aberchalder and South Laggan, with 252 m of climbing. Mixed surface: 41% is mapped as paved and 58% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 52.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 252 m
- Riding time
- 3 h 46 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Fort Augustus
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 252 m
- 53 km
Route description
- Fort Augustus
- Kytra Lock
- Aberchalder
- South Laggan
- Bunarkaig
- Camisky
- Torcastle
- Caol
- Claggan
National Cycle Route 78 (North) starts at Fort Augustus and heads northeast passing Kytra Lock at 3.6 km, Cullochy Lock at 6.8 km, Aberchalder at 7.4 km, then on to North Laggan at 14.5 km and South Laggan at 16.4 km. The route features a mix of surfaces with around 41% paved and 58% gravel or unpaved. It includes main roads (13%) and quiet streets (10%), with 7 km on main roads lacking a cycle lane and 7.4 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or higher. The longest named road section is the B8005 for 6.2 km.
Two main climbs are on the route: a climb of 3.5 km starting just after 17 km with 99 m gained at an average of 2.8%, and a shorter climb of 1.8 km from 24.7 km with 56 m gained at an average of 3.1%. The highest point is 131 m at 20.6 km. The route descends to a low of 2 m near the finish around 51.9 km. There is a longest continuous climb of just 0.1 km over 5% gradients and similarly brief steeper sections.
Along the route, there is a longest stretch of 18.3 km without cafés, shops or water between km 17.1 and 35.4. Cafés at the start include Ripples Tearoom & Gifts, and Laggan Locks Take Away at 17 km; near the finish are LAD Community Café and Fox William Coffee Shop & Café. Shops and petrol stations are at the start and near Fort William. Toilets are available at several locations including 10 km, 17 km, 23.8 km, 35.4 km, 47.6 km and 51.9 km. The route passes near the peak Tom Dubh at 47.1 km. Bike repair is possible at Nevis Cycles near 50.5 km. Bailout points include Banavie station and Camusnagaul passenger ferry near the finish.
Why ride this route?
- The shortest of the 5 rides from Fort Augustus.
Highlights
- Passes locks: Kytra and Cullochy
- Two climbs with max gradient 4.6%
- Longest named road: B8005 for 6.2 km
- Near peak Tom Dubh at 47.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 17.1 km | 3.5 km · 99 m · 2.8 % · max 4.6 % | 131 m |
| Unnamed climb | 24.7 km | 1.8 km · 56 m · 3.1 % · max 4.6 % | 102 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 7.3 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 48% track · 24% path · 13% main road · 10% quiet street · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 7.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 7.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 1.5 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B8005 (6 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 41% is mapped as paved and 58% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 13% climbing · 11% descending · 76% flat
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from km 17 to 35. Along the route: 65 cafés and restaurants, 10 shops, 5 water points, 2 petrol stations, 12 public toilets and 3 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmRipples Tearoom & Gifts · café · 140 m off route
- 0 kmSpar · convenience store · 230 m off route
- 0 kmDrinking water · 240 m off route
- 0 kmGreat Glen · petrol station · 240 m off route
- 0 kmPharmacy · 220 m off route
- 10.3 kmToilets · on the route
- 17 kmLaggan Locks Take Away · café · 60 m off route
- 17.1 kmWater tap · 30 m off route
- 17.1 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 35.4 kmWater tap · 220 m off route
- 35.4 kmToilets · 230 m off route
- 47.6 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 47.7 kmLAD Community Café · café · on the route
- 50.5 kmNevis Cycles · bike shop · on the route
- 51.3 kmMorrisons · supermarket · 110 m off route
- 51.9 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 52.1 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 80 m off route
- 52.2 kmFox William Coffee Shop & Café · café · 50 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 46 km — Banavie (station), 50 m off route
- 52.2 km — Camusnagaul passenger ferry (ferry), on the route
Worth a stop
- 3.9 km — Torr Dhuin, dun site (archaeological site)
- 18.2 km — McDonnell Mausoleum (ruins)
- 45.7 km — Neptune's Staircase (attraction)
- 51.6 km — Old Fort William (picnic site)
Stay after this ride
- Travelodge · hotel · 70 m from the finish
- Ossians · hotel · 200 m from the finish
- The Garrison · hotel · 150 m from the finish
- Best Western Imperial Hotel · hotel · 340 m from the finish
- Highland Hotel · hotel · 210 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Ripples Tearoom & Gifts (140 m), Nourish Ness Community Café (170 m), Canalside Chip Shop (100 m)
At the finish
- Bikes and repair
- Off Beat Bikes (80 m)
- Food and coffee
- Fox William Coffee Shop & Café (70 m), Café 115 (90 m), Crannog Seafood Restaurant (20 m)
Know before you go
- 18.3 km longest stretch without café, shop or water (km 17.1 to 35.4)
- 7.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 7.4 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 58% gravel or unpaved surface
