Kyle of Lochalsh to Glenelg
- 41 km
- 632 m
- Moderate
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 632 m
- 41 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders comfortable with 632 m climbing over 41 km with sustained gradients up to 13.6%.
Stage 1 of 6 of the Scotland Trail: 41.3 km from Kyle of Lochalsh to Glenelg with 632 m of climbing, on the signed route.
The route starts in Kyle of Lochalsh, passing through places such as Glaick at 3.6 km, Balmacara at 4.6 km, and Dornie at 13.9 km. The first significant climb begins shortly after Dornie, from km 13.1 to 16.7, gaining 171 m with an average gradient of 4.8% and a maximum of 9.9%, reaching a height of 173 m. After the initial climb, the route continues past Inverinate at 20 km and Shiel Bridge at 26.4 km. A longer, steeper climb starts at km 26.8 and goes on for 4.6 km, climbing 332 m with an average gradient of 7.2% and a maximum of 13.6%, reaching the highest point of the route at 342 m at 31.4 km. This is followed by a long descent lasting 5 km down to 23.9 m. The final stretch leads to Glenelg at 41.1 km. The road surface is almost fully paved (99%) and mainly consists of minor and major roads, with 20.6 km on minor roads and 19.2 km on major roads, including 19.2 km on the A87. Most of the route (36.7 km) is on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more, and 19.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane. Food and drink can be found at Hector’s Bothy near the start, All the Goodness cafe at 13.1 km, The Wee Bun House at 25.4 km, and Glenelg Inn at the finish. There is also a longest stretch of 15.7 km with no café, shop or water from km 25.4 to 41.1.
Highlights
- Two main climbs: 4.6 km at 7.2% average gradient
- Highest point at 342 m near Mam Ratagan (31 km)
- Views near Ard Hill (82 m) at 6.7 km
- Long descent of 5 km starting at 31.6 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 13.1 km | 3.6 km | 171 m | 4.8 % | 9.9 % | 173 m |
| — | 26.8 km | 4.6 km | 332 m | 7.2 % | 13.6 % | 342 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 50% minor road · 47% major road · 2% quiet street
- Main roads
- 19.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 36.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A87 (19 km), Mam Ratagan (9 km), Carr Brae (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 27% climbing · 32% descending · 41% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.8 km over 5% · 2.3 km over 8% · 1.3 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 13.3% at 30.5 km
- Longest descent
- 5 km from 31.6 km, dropping 304 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 16 km, from 25 km to 41 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmHector's Bothy · café · 40 m off route
- 0 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 120 m off route
- 0 kmKyle of Lochalsh Community Toilets · toilets · 40 m off route
- 0 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 0.3 kmCentral Filling Station · petrol station · on the route
- 6 kmSpar · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 6.1 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 13.1 kmAll the Goodness · café · 50 m off route
- 14.4 kmCoffee Shop · toilets · 160 m off route
- 20.1 kmJET · petrol station · on the route
- 24.5 kmKintail Crafts · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 25.4 kmThe Wee Bun House · café · 40 m off route
- 41 kmToilets · on the route
- 41.1 kmGlenelg Inn · pub · 60 m off route
- 41.1 kmGlenelg Shop · convenience store · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0.1 km — Kyle of Lochalsh (station), 80 m off route
Worth a stop
- 7.8 km — Kirkton, dun site (archaeological site)
- 14.9 km — lookout to Eilean Donan Castle (viewpoint)
- 31 km — Mam Ratagan (viewpoint)
- 39.8 km — An Dun, dun site (archaeological site)
At the start
- Hector's Bothy · café · 60 m
- Rafiki Coffee · café · 20 m
- Kyle of Lochalsh · station · 160 m
- The Islander · pub · 40 m
- Co-op Food · supermarket · 120 m
At the finish
- Glenelg Shop · convenience store · 20 m
- Glenelg Inn · pub · 60 m
Stay after this ride
- Duntrodden House · guest house · 2.8 km from the finish
Practical information
- Mixed
- Point to point
- 3 h 26 min
- Jul to Aug — daily highs of 16 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 15.7 km without café, shop or water from 25.4 km
- 19.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 36.7 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits