Glenelg to Fort Augustus
- 88 km
- 1,093 m
- Hard
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 1,093 m
- 88 km
Route overview
Cyclists prepared for a moderate distance with substantial climbing and mixed surface conditions.
Stage 2 of 6 of the Scotland Trail: 88.0 km from Glenelg to Fort Augustus with 1093 m of climbing, on the signed route.
The ride starts in Glenelg, climbing immediately with a 1.8 km hill gaining 145 m at 7.9% average gradient which peaks at 157 m around 4 km in. After a brief 2.2 km climb of 44 m, the route passes Arnisdale at 15.9 km and continues through undulating terrain with climbs of 3.3 km and 2.3 km gaining 126 m and 97 m respectively. The steepest section is near 28 km with a short 1 km climb at 8.3% average and maximum of 13.4%, reaching the route's highest point at 261 m. The route surface is mixed with 67% paved and 33% gravel or unpaved sections. The roads are mostly minor roads (56%) and tracks (34%), with some path and quiet streets. It crosses over 46 km of roads rated 80 km/h or faster. After passing Kinloch Hourn at 29.4 km, there is a long 41.6 km stretch without café, shop or water until Greenfield at 60.7 km, then passes Mandally and Invergarry before reaching Fort Augustus at 85.3 km. There are cafés, shops, and petrol stations at both start and finish and some mid-route stops but none along the longest empty stretch. The profile is 22% climbing, 20% descending, and 58% flat, with multiple smaller climbs and a total elevation gain of 1093 m. The route is suitable for cyclists prepared for mixed surfaces and some steep gradients, with the majority of the climbing in the first half. Topographic highlights include the peak Màm nan Uranan near km 4 and passing beneath Bolinn Hill near km 66. Facilities at Fort Augustus offer multiple café and meal options.
Highlights
- Climb reaching 261 m at 27.6 km
- Màm nan Uranan peak near 4.2 km
- Long 41.6 km stretch without café or water
- Mixed surface with 33% gravel and unpaved
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 2 km | 1.8 km | 145 m | 7.9 % | 10.4 % | 157 m |
| — | 5.9 km | 2.2 km | 44 m | 2 % | 4.6 % | 155 m |
| — | 18.4 km | 3.3 km | 126 m | 3.8 % | 11.2 % | 142 m |
| — | 22.6 km | 2.3 km | 97 m | 4.3 % | 10 % | 232 m |
| — | 26.6 km | 1 km | 85 m | 8.3 % | 13.4 % | 261 m |
| — | 29.1 km | 3.9 km | 217 m | 5.5 % | 10.7 % | 223 m |
| — | 60.3 km | 2.4 km | 100 m | 4.2 % | 5.9 % | 196 m |
| — | 72.3 km | 1.2 km | 69 m | 6 % | 11.3 % | 133 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 56% minor road · 34% track · 6% path · 4% quiet street
- Fast roads
- 46.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- 67% paved · 33% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 22% climbing · 20% descending · 58% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.8 km over 5% · 3.7 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 12.1% at 28 km
- Longest descent
- 2.3 km from 46 km, dropping 71 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 42 km, from 29 km to 71 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmGlenelg Inn · pub · 60 m off route
- 0 kmGlenelg Shop · convenience store · on the route
- 0 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 29.4 kmKinlochhourn Farm · café · 170 m off route
- 71 kmGlengarry Community Hall · café · 380 m off route
- 73.7 kmGlengarry Filling Station · petrol station · 270 m off route
- 85.3 kmCaledonian Canal Centre · café · 50 m off route
- 85.3 kmSpar · convenience store · 110 m off route
- 85.3 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 130 m off route
- 85.3 kmToilets · 130 m off route
- 85.3 kmGreat Glen · petrol station · 110 m off route
- 85.3 kmPharmacy · 110 m off route
Worth a stop
- 4.2 km — Màm nan Uranan (peak, 208 m)
- 75.4 km — Eilean Drynachan, Crannog (archaeological site)
- 81.3 km — Torr Dhuin, dun site (archaeological site)
At the start
- Glenelg Shop · convenience store · 20 m
- Glenelg Inn · pub · 60 m
At the finish
- Caledonian Canal Centre · café · 50 m
- Nourish Ness Community Café · café · 50 m
- Highland Ice Cream · ice cream · 50 m
- The Lock Inn · restaurant · 50 m
- Bothy Bite · restaurant · 60 m
Stay after this ride
- Kintore · apartment · 160 m from the finish
- Beaufort House B&B · guest house · 90 m from the finish
- Lorien House B&B · guest house · 100 m from the finish
- Caledonian House B&B · guest house · 120 m from the finish
- The Holt B&B · guest house · 200 m from the finish
Practical information
- Mixed
- Point to point
- 7 h 20 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 16–17 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 41.6 km without café, shop or water from 29.4 to 71 km
- 46.2 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more
- 33% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces
- Steepest 500 m section at 12.1% near 28 km