Gravel · United Kingdom
South Loch Ness Trail
A mountainous 60 km gravel route from Fort Augustus, Highland through Whitebridge, Foyers and Inverfarigaig, with 979 m of climbing. The first 23 km has no café, shop or water. Mostly unpaved: 71% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 29% as paved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 60.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 979 m
- Riding time
- 5 h 01 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 23 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Fort Augustus
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 979 m
- 60 km
Route description
- Fort Augustus
- Whitebridge
- Foyers
- Inverfarigaig
- Ballaggan
- Dores
- Torbreck
- Holm
The South Loch Ness Trail starts at Fort Augustus, heading east passing through Whitebridge at 18.3 km and Foyers at 24.2 km, continuing past Inverfarigaig (29 km), Ballaggan (31.2 km), and Dores (45 km) before reaching Torbreck (56.4 km) and finishing near Holm (57.8 km). The route rises to a high point at 433 m at 9.2 km and drops as low as 20 m by 0.5 km.
Climbing comes in six segments, with the first two between 0.8 km and 9.1 km totaling over 450 m gain with gradients peaking near 11.3%. Further climbs of between 67 and 178 m elevation occur after 24 km. The longest descent lasts 4 km from 52.9 km. The surface is mostly gravel or unpaved (71%) with 29% paved. The route uses a mix of paths (38%), tracks (36%), minor roads (18%), a small amount of main road (6%), and 1 km of cycle path. There is 3.6 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 11.5 km on fast roads with 80 km/h or more limits.
Facilities at the start in Fort Augustus include two cafés, ice cream, restaurants, a convenience store and petrol station. On-route stops are at Foyers (convenience store, café) and Dores (pub, water, toilets). The longest stretch without café, shop or water is 23.2 km between 0.3 km and 23.5 km. There is a bailout point with a station near 57.8 km. Toilets and water taps are available at several points along the way.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 433 m, 9.2 km in.
Highlights
- Climbs with max gradient up to 11.3%
- Three places with cafés and shops: Fort Augustus, Foyers, Dores
- Longest descent is 4 km with 97 m drop
- Mixed surfaces: 71% gravel or unpaved, 29% paved
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.8 km | 3.1 km · 206 m · 6.8 % · max 9.6 % | 229 m |
| Unnamed climb | 4.6 km | 4.5 km · 246 m · 5.4 % · max 11.3 % | 433 m |
| Unnamed climb | 24.4 km | 1.6 km · 67 m · 4.2 % · max 8 % | 200 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.8 km | 3.9 km · 178 m · 4.6 % · max 9.2 % | 230 m |
| Unnamed climb | 32.8 km | 2.5 km · 93 m · 3.8 % · max 5.9 % | 321 m |
| Unnamed climb | 47.2 km | 2.1 km · 122 m · 5.7 % · max 8.2 % | 164 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 3.6 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 38% path · 36% track · 18% minor road · 6% main road · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 11.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 1 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved: 71% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 29% as paved.
- Gradient
- 29% climbing · 34% descending · 37% flat
- Steep sections
- 8.4 km over 5% · 3.3 km over 8% · 0.4 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10.8% at 8.5 km
- Longest descent
- 4 km from 52.9 km, dropping 97 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 23 km, from the start. Along the route: 19 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 4 water points, 1 petrol station and 5 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmCaledonian Canal Centre · café · 60 m off route
- 0 kmSpar · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 0 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 170 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 180 m off route
- 0 kmGreat Glen · petrol station · 150 m off route
- 0 kmPharmacy · 160 m off route
- 23.8 kmFalls of Foyers Toilets · toilets · 30 m off route
- 24 kmWaterfall Cafe · café · on the route
- 24 kmFoyers Stores · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 28.7 kmToilets · on the route
- 45.2 kmDores Inn · pub · on the route
- 45.2 kmWater tap · 30 m off route
- 45.2 kmToilets · 30 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 57.8 km — Station, 1.4 km off route
Worth a stop
- 10 km — Suidhe Chuimein (viewpoint)
- 23.8 km — Upper Viewpoint (viewpoint)
- 28 km — View point (viewpoint)
- 57.6 km — Holm House, Motte (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- GlamNess · hotel · 850 m from the finish
- Drumdevan Country House · hotel · 890 m from the finish
- Glasdair · guest house · 1.5 km from the finish
- Loch Ness Country House · hotel · 1.6 km from the finish
- Dunhallin House · guest house · 1.8 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Caledonian Canal Centre (60 m), Nourish Ness Community Café (70 m), Highland Ice Cream (50 m)
Know before you go
- 23.2 km longest stretch with no café, shop or water
- 3.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 11.5 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- Sections with gradients over 8% for 3.3 km
