Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 6 · Scotland Trail← Stage 1Stage 3 →
Glenelg to Fort Augustus
A hilly 88 km gravel route from Glenelg, Highland to Fort Augustus through Arnisdale, Kinloch Hourn and Tomdoun, with 1,093 m of climbing. There is a 42 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 29–71). Mixed surface: 67% is mapped as paved and 33% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 88 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,093 m
- Riding time
- 7 h 20 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 42 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Glenelg → Fort Augustus
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,093 m
- 88 km
Route description
- Glenelg
- Arnisdale
- Kinloch Hourn
- Tomdoun
- Inchlaggan
- Greenfield
- Mandally
- Invergarry
- Cullochy Lock
- Fort Augustus
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 | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 2 km | 1.8 km · 145 m · 7.9 % · max 10.4 % | 157 m |
| Unnamed climb | 5.9 km | 2.2 km · 44 m · 2 % · max 4.6 % | 155 m |
| Unnamed climb | 18.4 km | 3.3 km · 126 m · 3.8 % · max 11.2 % | 142 m |
| Unnamed climb | 22.6 km | 2.3 km · 97 m · 4.3 % · max 10 % | 232 m |
| Unnamed climb | 26.6 km | 1 km · 85 m · 8.3 % · max 13.4 % | 261 m |
| Unnamed climb | 29.1 km | 3.9 km · 217 m · 5.5 % · max 10.7 % | 223 m |
| Unnamed climb | 60.3 km | 2.4 km · 100 m · 4.2 % · max 5.9 % | 196 m |
| Unnamed climb | 72.3 km | 1.2 km · 69 m · 6 % · max 11.3 % | 133 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 56% minor road · 34% track · 6% path · 4% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Fast roads
- 46.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 67% is mapped as paved and 33% as 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 42 km, from km 29 to 71. Along the route: 17 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 3 water points, 2 petrol stations and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
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
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Glenelg Inn (60 m)
- Shops
- Glenelg Shop (20 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Caledonian Canal Centre (50 m), Nourish Ness Community Café (50 m), Highland Ice Cream (50 m)
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
