Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 3 · Great North Trail (John O' Groats)Stage 2 →
Rosehall to Altnaharra
A hilly 83 km gravel route from Rosehall, Highland to Altnaharra through West Merkland, with 751 m of climbing. There is a 72 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 10–82). Mixed surface: 79% is mapped as paved and 20% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 82.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 751 m
- Riding time
- 6 h 54 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 72 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Rosehall → Altnaharra
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 751 m
- 83 km
Route description
- Rosehall
- West Merkland
- Altnaharra
Starting near Rosehall, the route heads out with the Oykel Bridge Hotel close by. It passes West Merkland at 51.7 km before finishing in Altnaharra at 81.5 km. The terrain features a mixture of road types: around 39% minor roads, 21% main roads (all without cycle lanes), 20% tracks, and 19% quiet streets. The route contains 20% gravel or unpaved surface. The longest named roads ridden are Strathmore Hope Road for 14.2 km, followed by the A837 for 9.2 km and the A838 for 8.2 km.
Climbing is mainly in the first half, which accounts for 60% of the elevation gain of 751 m. Four main climbs occur starting at km 27.7, km 31, km 51, and km 65.8, with the steepest 500 m stretch at 9.1% located near km 33. The highest point is 409 m at 34.1 km, beneath Maovally (511 m). The longest descent of 6.1 km drops 186 m starting at 58.9 km. Of note, there is a very long stretch of 71.8 km with no café, shop or water from km 9.7 to 81.5. The ride passes near archaeological site Achaneas Broch at km 9.9, close to Achness Hotel / Pub which is slightly off-route.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 409 m, 34.1 km in.
- A 6.1 km descent dropping 186 m.
Highlights
- Climb to 409 m near Maovally
- Longest descent 6.1 km dropping 186 m
- Achaneas Broch archaeological site at 9.9 km
- Longest named road: Strathmore Hope Road 14.2 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 27.7 km | 2 km · 81 m · 4.2 % · max 8.7 % | 198 m |
| Unnamed climb | 31 km | 2.8 km · 203 m · 7.2 % · max 10.2 % | 404 m |
| Unnamed climb | 51 km | 3.6 km · 136 m · 3.8 % · max 6.7 % | 256 m |
| Unnamed climb | 65.8 km | 1.6 km · 87 m · 5.6 % · max 7.4 % | 121 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (17.5 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 39% minor road · 21% main road · 20% track · 19% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 17.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 48.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Strathmore Hope Road (14 km), A837 (9 km), A838 (8 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 79% is mapped as paved and 20% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 18% climbing · 18% descending · 64% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.7 km over 5% · 1.8 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.1% at 33 km
- Longest descent
- 6.1 km from 58.9 km, dropping 186 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 72 km, from km 10 to 82. Along the route: 3 cafés and restaurants.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmOykel Bridge Hotel · pub · 110 m off route
- 9.7 kmAchness Hotel / Pub · pub · on the route
Worth a stop
- 9.9 km — Achaneas Broch (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- The Bed & Breakfast · guest house · 680 m from the finish
- Altnaharra Hotel · hotel · 770 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Oykel Bridge Hotel (110 m)
Know before you go
- 71.8 km without café, shop or water (km 9.7 to 81.5)
- 17.5 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 48.8 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 20% gravel or unpaved surface