Road · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 3 · EuroVelo 12 from Inverness← Stage 1Stage 3 →
Tain to Altnaharra
A rolling 76 km road cycling route from Tain, Highland to Altnaharra through Edderton, Ardgay and Culrain, with 337 m of climbing. Most of it (66 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 67.9 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. There is a 20 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 42–63).
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 75.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 337 m
- Riding time
- 5 h 25 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 20 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Tain → Altnaharra
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 337 m
- 76 km
Route description
- Tain
- Edderton
- Ardgay
- Culrain
- Invershin
- Inveran
- Achany
- Lairg
- Dalchork
- Altnaharra
This 75.8 km point-to-point ride from Tain to Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands covers mostly paved surfaces (99%) and uses mainly main roads (84%), including 52.4 km on the A836. The route passes through several places including Edderton (8 km), Ardgay (22.5 km), Culrain (28.9 km), Invershin (29.6 km), Inveran (31.9 km), Achany (36.7 km), and Lairg (41.9 km). The route includes 66 km on main roads without cycle lanes, with 67.9 km on roads posted at 80 km/h or higher.
The elevation ranges from 5 m near the start at 3.1 km to a highest point of 264 m at 63.8 km. The profile is mostly flat (85%) with gentle climbs (9%) and descents (7%), almost no prolonged steep sections (only 0.1 km above 5% gradient). The steepest 500 m section is 3.3% at 63 km. The longest descent is 2.1 km, dropping 59 m from 71.7 km.
Facilities along the way include cafes and pubs near Invershin and Lairg, with a longest stretch lacking café, shop, or water of 20.3 km between 42.2 and 62.5 km. There are train stations at Tain, Ardgay, Culrain, and Lairg, offering bail-out options. Shops and petrol stations are mostly near towns. Public toilets and a bike repair stand are available near Lairg.
Highlights
- Peak near road: The Ord (159 m)
- Longest named road: A836 for 52.4 km
- Longest descent 2.1 km dropping 59 m
- Key places: Tain, Ardgay, Lairg, Altnaharra
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 87% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 67.9 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 84% main road · 9% minor road · 3% major road · 2% quiet street · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 66 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 67.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A836 (52 km), B864 (8 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 9% climbing · 7% descending · 85% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.1 km from 71.7 km, dropping 59 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 20 km, from km 42 to 63. Along the route: 22 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops, 3 water points, 3 petrol stations, 4 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmHarry Gow Bakery · bakery · 40 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 0 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 0.9 kmLidl · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 0.9 kmMorangie Filling Station · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 4.5 kmFuaran nan Slainte · spring · 40 m off route
- 22.2 kmArdgay Stores & Highland Cafe · convenience store · on the route
- 22.4 kmToilets · on the route
- 29.6 kmInvershin Hotel Bar · bar · 50 m off route
- 34.1 kmThe Salt House · café · 40 m off route
- 34.1 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 41.2 kmGulf · petrol station · on the route
- 41.7 kmToilets · 260 m off route
- 41.7 kmPharmacy · 80 m off route
- 41.8 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 42.1 kmShin Stores · convenience store · on the route
- 42.2 kmThe Pier Café · café · on the route
- 62.5 kmThe Crask Inn · pub · 40 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.1 km — Tain (station), 310 m off route
- 22.3 km — Ardgay (station), 50 m off route
- 28.9 km — Culrain (station), 60 m off route
- 39.1 km — Lairg (station), 490 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
- 7.2 km — Pictish Carved Stone (attraction)
- 15 km — Dun Alascaig, Broch (archaeological site)
- 22.3 km — Clach Eiteag (monument)
- 38.4 km — Gruids Mill (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- The Bed & Breakfast · guest house · 70 m from the finish
- Altnaharra Hotel · hotel · 180 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Harry Gow Bakery (40 m), William Grant Bakery (20 m), Greens Restaurant (20 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (50 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Ghillies Bar (180 m)
Know before you go
- 66 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 67.9 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water 20.3 km (42.2–62.5 km)
- 1% gravel or unpaved surface
