Roybridge to Fort Augustus
- 58 km
- 789 m
- Moderate
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 789 m
- 58 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders prepared for a mid-distance ride with significant climbing and mixed surfaces.
Stage 3 of 3 of the Great North Trail (Grampian Mountains): 57.8 km from Roybridge to Fort Augustus with 789 m of climbing, on the signed route.
Starting from Roybridge, this 57.8 km route descends and climbs gently before reaching a first climb at 20.2 km. This climb is 1.7 km long with a 79 m ascent averaging 4.8% and a maximum gradient of 8.8%, topping out at 337 m. Shortly after, at 25.3 km, a shorter climb of 2.1 km gains 40 m at an average of 1.9%. The main challenge is the final long climb starting at 34.7 km, ascending 427 m over 6.8 km at 6.3% avg, with max gradients hitting 15.6%, reaching the route's highest point at 765 m around 41.5 km.
Highlights
- Long climb from km 34.7 to 41.5 reaching 765 m
- 9.7 km on General Wade's Military Road
- Viewpoint at 21.7 km (Cairn)
- Peaks Binnein Shìos (667 m) at 12.9 km and Meallan Odhar near 42 km
Along the route
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 20.2 km | 1.7 km | 79 m | 4.8 % | 8.8 % | 337 m |
| — | 25.3 km | 2.1 km | 40 m | 1.9 % | 2.6 % | 308 m |
| — | 34.7 km | 6.8 km | 427 m | 6.3 % | 15.6 % | 765 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 60% track · 19% minor road · 17% quiet street · 2% major road
- Main roads
- 1.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 12 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- General Wade's Military Road (10 km)
- Surface
- 30% paved · 70% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 33% descending · 40% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.9 km over 5% · 2 km over 8% · 1.1 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 20.1% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 4.2 km from 42.1 km, dropping 393 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 57 km, from 0 km to 57 km.
Food, water and shops
- 56.8 kmCaledonian Canal Centre · café · 60 m off route
- 56.8 kmSpar · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 56.8 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 170 m off route
- 56.8 kmToilets · 180 m off route
- 56.8 kmGreat Glen · petrol station · 150 m off route
- 56.8 kmPharmacy · 160 m off route
Worth a stop
- 21.7 km — Cairn (viewpoint)
- 42 km — Meallan Odhar Beag (peak)
At the finish
- Caledonian Canal Centre · café · 60 m
- Nourish Ness Community Café · café · 70 m
- Highland Ice Cream · ice cream · 50 m
- Richmond House Hotel Bar & Restaurant · restaurant · 50 m
- Bothy Bite · restaurant · 40 m
Stay after this ride
- Richmond House Hotel · hotel · 50 m from the finish
- Abbey Cottage B&B · guest house · 70 m from the finish
- Kings Inn B&B · guest house · 80 m from the finish
- Lorien House B&B · guest house · 70 m from the finish
- Monks Retreat B&B · guest house · 210 m from the finish
Practical information
- Mixed
- Point to point
- 4 h 49 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 16–17 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 56.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
- 1.3 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 12 km on roads with posted limits over 80 km/h
- 70% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces