Gravel · From the map · United Kingdom
Rosehall to Durness
- 115 km
- 1,108 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 1,108 m
- 115 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders prepared for a long ride with sustained climbing and mixed surfaces.
Stage 1 of 2 of the Great North Trail (Cape Wrath): 114.9 km from Rosehall to Durness with 1108 m of climbing, on the signed route.
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.
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 | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 27.3 km | 2.1 km | 84 m | 4 % | 8.1 % | 198 m |
| — | 30.7 km | 2.5 km | 189 m | 7.6 % | 11.8 % | 391 m |
| — | 49.8 km | 3.9 km | 125 m | 3.2 % | 6.8 % | 246 m |
| — | 64.9 km | 1.6 km | 86 m | 5.3 % | 7.1 % | 120 m |
| — | 75.3 km | 5.6 km | 201 m | 3.6 % | 7.6 % | 220 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 39% main road · 23% minor road · 23% track · 14% quiet street · 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
- 76% paved · 23% 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
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 84 km, from 10 km to 94 km.
Food, water and shops
- 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)
At the start
- Oykel Bridge Hotel · pub · 110 m
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
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 9 h 35 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 16–17 °C in those months
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)