Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 2 · Great North Trail (Cape Wrath)Stage 2 →
Rosehall to Durness
A hilly 115 km gravel route from Rosehall, Highland to Durness through West Merkland, Allt na Caillich and Eriboll, with 1,108 m of climbing. There is a 84 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 10–94). Mixed surface: 76% is mapped as paved and 23% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 114.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,108 m
- Riding time
- 9 h 35 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 84 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Rosehall → Durness
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,108 m
- 115 km
Route description
- Rosehall
- West Merkland
- Allt na Caillich
- Eriboll
- Laid
- Sangobeg
- Leirinmore
- Smoo
- Sangomor
- Durness
The route begins in Rosehall and heads northwest, passing through West Merkland at 51km. The first half of the ride contains 63% of the elevation gain, with notable climbs between 27.3km and 33.2km including gradients averaging 4% to 7.6%, maxing at 11.8%, reaching a high point of 408m near 33.7km by Maovally peak. The route features 76% paved surfaces mixed with 23% gravel or unpaved sections, and 1% unmapped paths.
Riders spend 39% of the trip on main roads including 34.5km on the A838 and 9km on the A837, all without cycle lanes, plus 65.3km on roads with speed limits of 80km/h or higher. After 9.6km the ride enters a long stretch of 84.1km without any cafés, shops, or water points until near Durness. Along the way are places such as Allt na Caillich, Eriboll, Laid, and Sangobeg before arriving into Durness close to the finish at 107.5km.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 408 m, 33.7 km in.
- A 6.5 km descent dropping 187 m.
Highlights
- Climb near Maovally (408m) at 33.7km
- Long 84.1km stretch without shops or water
- Finish in Durness with bike rental and services
- Rides mostly along the A838 main road
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 27.3 km | 2.1 km · 84 m · 4 % · max 8.1 % | 198 m |
| Unnamed climb | 30.7 km | 2.5 km · 189 m · 7.6 % · max 11.8 % | 391 m |
| Unnamed climb | 49.8 km | 3.9 km · 125 m · 3.2 % · max 6.8 % | 246 m |
| Unnamed climb | 64.9 km | 1.6 km · 86 m · 5.3 % · max 7.1 % | 120 m |
| Unnamed climb | 75.3 km | 5.6 km · 201 m · 3.6 % · max 7.6 % | 220 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (43.5 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 39% main road · 23% minor road · 23% track · 14% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks · 1% unmapped
- Main roads
- 43.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 65.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A838 (35 km), A837 (9 km), Strathmore Hope Road (8 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 76% is mapped as paved and 23% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 18% climbing · 20% descending · 62% flat
- Steep sections
- 7.3 km over 5% · 1.2 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.2% at 32.6 km
- Longest descent
- 6.5 km from 58.4 km, dropping 187 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 84 km, from km 10 to 94. Along the route: 9 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 2 water points, 1 petrol station, 4 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmOykel Bridge Hotel · pub · 110 m off route
- 9.6 kmAchness Hotel / Pub · pub · 30 m off route
- 93.7 kmChoraidh Croft Tearoom · café · 40 m off route
- 103.7 kmKoffee · café · 120 m off route
- 107.3 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
- 107.5 kmSpar · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 107.5 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 107.5 kmDurness Community Bike HUB · bike rental · 60 m off route
- 107.5 kmPetrol station · 40 m off route
- 110.3 kmThe Durness Food Spot · fast food · 60 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 111.3 km — Ferry, on the route
Worth a stop
- 2.1 km — Torr a' Chorcain Fort & Dun (archaeological site)
- 9.9 km — Achaneas Broch (archaeological site)
- 110.2 km — Cnoc na Mòine (peak)
Stay after this ride
- Cape Wrath Hotel · hotel · 1.1 km from the finish
- Wild Orchid Guest House · guest house · 3.7 km from the finish
- Mackay's Rooms · hotel · 3.8 km from the finish
- Lazy Crofter Bunkhouse/Hostel · hostel · 3.8 km from the finish
- Lazy Crofter · hostel · 3.8 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Oykel Bridge Hotel (110 m)
Know before you go
- 43.5 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 65.3 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- Gravel or unpaved sections account for 23%
- No café, shop or water from 9.6 km to 93.7 km (84.1 km)