Road · United Kingdom
Stage 4 of 6 · Scotland Trail← Stage 3Stage 5 →
Kingussie to Tomintoul
A hilly 75 km gravel route from Kingussie, Highland to Tomintoul through Tromie Mills, Achlean and Glenmore, with 785 m of climbing. There is a 32 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 41–73). Mostly unpaved: 71% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 28% as paved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 75 km
- Elevation gain
- 785 m
- Riding time
- 6 h 15 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 32 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Kingussie → Tomintoul
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 785 m
- 75 km
Route description
- Kingussie
- Tromie Mills
- Achlean
- Glenmore
- Tomintoul
The route starts in Kingussie at 0 m and heads northeast, passing Tromie Mills at 4.1 km. From Tromie Mills, a 3.3 km climb begins, gaining 100 m at up to 6.7% gradient, reaching 360 m elevation. The first half features a mix of tracks, minor roads, and paths, with 43% of the climbing done before halfway. After Achlean at 15.4 km, the route continues through 40.6 km Glenmore and on to Tomintoul at 72.6 km.
The surface is mainly gravel or unpaved (71%) with 28% paved. The ride includes 41.9 km on tracks, 9.9 km minor roads, 9.4 km paths, and 9.1 km on main roads, all without cycle lanes. There are six climbs, with the last one near 62.2 km notable for a 4.9% average gradient, max 7.5%. There is a longest descent of 3.4 km from 48.4 km dropping 76 m.
Along the route, riders will find cafés at Kingussie start, near 29.7 km and 40.6 km, with the last at Tomintoul finish. There is a longest stretch without café, shop or water for 32 km from 40.6 km to 72.6 km. Water taps are available at the start and near 40.6 km. The route passes near peaks such as Torr Alvie (358 m at 26.7 km), Ord Bàn (428 m at 29.4 km), and Greag nan Gall (622 m at 43.2 km).
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 463 m, 63.6 km in.
Highlights
- Climb from Tromie Mills to 360 m
- Passes near Torr Alvie and Ord Bàn peaks
- Longest descent 3.4 km dropping 76 m
- Longest stretch 32 km without café or water after Glenmore
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 4.1 km | 3.3 km · 100 m · 3.1 % · max 6.7 % | 360 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28 km | 2.2 km · 46 m · 2.1 % · max 2.8 % | 274 m |
| Unnamed climb | 33.3 km | 1.5 km · 42 m · 2.8 % · max 4.1 % | 355 m |
| Unnamed climb | 43.5 km | 1.8 km · 44 m · 2.4 % · max 4 % | 406 m |
| Unnamed climb | 50.5 km | 3.4 km · 100 m · 3 % · max 4.8 % | 391 m |
| Unnamed climb | 62.2 km | 1.5 km · 72 m · 4.9 % · max 7.5 % | 463 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 9.1 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 58% track · 14% minor road · 13% path · 13% main road · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 9.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 15.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Achlean Road (7 km), B970 (7 km)
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved: 71% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 28% as paved.
- Gradient
- 31% climbing · 20% descending · 49% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.8 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 14.3% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 3.4 km from 48.4 km, dropping 76 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 32 km, from km 41 to 73. Along the route: 19 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 2 water points, 5 public toilets and 4 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmSugar Bowl · café · 160 m off route
- 0 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 0 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · on the route
- 0 kmToilets · 150 m off route
- 0 kmThe Spin Project · bike shop · 80 m off route
- 0 kmBoots · pharmacy · 120 m off route
- 29.7 kmcafe · café · 200 m off route
- 29.7 kmToilets · 210 m off route
- 40.6 kmAllt Mor Café · café · 110 m off route
- 40.6 kmDrinking water · 110 m off route
- 40.6 kmToilets · 170 m off route
- 72.6 kmThe Old Fire Station Tea Room · café · 80 m off route
- 72.6 kmVillage Store and Post Office · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 72.6 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 72.6 kmRepair stand · 100 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.2 km — Kingussie (station), 60 m off route
Worth a stop
- 40.6 km — Cairngorm Reindeer Centre (attraction)
- 70.9 km — The Still (viewpoint)
Stay after this ride
- Richmond Arms Hotel · hotel · 60 m from the finish
- Argyle House · guest house · 120 m from the finish
- Livet House · guest house · 140 m from the finish
- B&B · guest house · 270 m from the finish
- The Smugglers Hostel · hostel · 320 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Kingussie (210 m)
- Water
- Top Up Tap (10 m)
- Bikes and repair
- The Spin Project (80 m)
- Food and coffee
- Ghillies Rest (50 m), Sugar Bowl (160 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (130 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- The Old Fire Station Tea Room (80 m), The Highland Market (100 m), The Clockhouse Restaurant (50 m)
- Shops
- Village Store and Post Office (50 m)
Know before you go
- 32 km longest stretch without café, shop or water after 40.6 km
- 9.1 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 15.5 km on fast roads (80 km/h or more)
- 71% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces
