Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 6 · Scotland TrailStage 2 →
Kyle of Lochalsh to Glenelg
A mountainous 41 km gravel route from Kyle of Lochalsh, Highland to Glenelg through Glaick, Balmacara and Kirkton, with 632 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 41.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 632 m
- Riding time
- 3 h 26 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 16 km
- Best months
- Jul to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Kyle of Lochalsh → Glenelg
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 632 m
- 41 km
Route description
- Kyle of Lochalsh
- Glaick
- Balmacara
- Kirkton
- Nostie
- Dornie
- Keppoch
- Ault-na-Chruinn
- Shiel Bridge
- Glenelg
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.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 342 m, 31.4 km in.
- A 5 km descent dropping 304 m.
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 | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 13.1 km | 3.6 km · 171 m · 4.8 % · max 9.9 % | 173 m |
| Unnamed climb | 26.8 km | 4.6 km · 332 m · 7.2 % · max 13.6 % | 342 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (19.3 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 50% minor road · 47% major road · 2% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- 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: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 16 km, from km 25 to 41. Along the route: 20 cafés and restaurants, 5 shops, 2 petrol stations and 6 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
Stay after this ride
- Duntrodden House · guest house · 2.8 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Kyle of Lochalsh (160 m)
- Food and coffee
- Hector's Bothy (60 m), Rafiki Coffee (20 m), The Islander (40 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (120 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Glenelg Inn (60 m)
- Shops
- Glenelg Shop (20 m)
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
