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Tain to Altnaharra

Tain, Highland, United KingdomRoad

Signed route The waymarked EuroVelo 12 from Inverness (EuroVelo EV12), traced from OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Stage 2 of 3 of the EuroVelo 12 from Inverness. Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

76 km
Distance
337 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
Tain High Street - Sheriff Court
Photo: James Emmans · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
337 m
Distance
76 km
0100200300m0 km20406076 km262 m · highest, at 64.0 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for riders able to cover nearly 76 km with modest climbing on busy main roads.

Stage 2 of 3 of the EuroVelo 12 from Inverness: 75.8 km from Tain to Altnaharra with 337 m of climbing, on the signed route.

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

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Edderton 8 km
  2. Ardgay 22.5 km
  3. Culrain 28.9 km
  4. Invershin 29.6 km
  5. Inveran 31.9 km
  6. Achany 36.7 km
  7. Lairg 41.9 km
  8. Dalchork 46.5 km
  9. Crask 62.5 km

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
84% main road · 9% minor road · 3% major road · 2% quiet street
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 throughout
Gradient
9% climbing · 7% descending · 85% flat
Longest descent
2.1 km from 71.7 km, dropping 59 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 20 km, from 42 km to 63 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmHarry Gow Bakery · bakery · 40 m off route
  2. 0 kmToilets · 100 m off route
  3. 0 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
  4. 0.9 kmLidl · supermarket · 50 m off route
  5. 0.9 kmMorangie Filling Station · petrol station · 50 m off route
  6. 4.5 kmFuaran nan Slainte · spring · 40 m off route
  7. 22.2 kmArdgay Stores & Highland Cafe · convenience store · on the route
  8. 22.4 kmToilets · on the route
  9. 29.6 kmInvershin Hotel Bar · bar · 50 m off route
  10. 34.1 kmThe Salt House · café · 40 m off route
  11. 34.1 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  12. 41.2 kmGulf · petrol station · on the route
  13. 41.7 kmToilets · 260 m off route
  14. 41.7 kmPharmacy · 80 m off route
  15. 41.8 kmRepair stand · on the route
  16. 42.1 kmShin Stores · convenience store · on the route
  17. 42.2 kmThe Pier Café · café · on the route
  18. 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

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

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)

At the start

  • Harry Gow Bakery · bakery · 40 m
  • William Grant Bakery · bakery · 20 m
  • Greens Restaurant · restaurant · 20 m
  • The Star Inn · pub · 80 m
  • Co-op Food · convenience store · 50 m

At the finish

  • Ghillies Bar · pub · 180 m

Stay after this ride

  • The Bed & Breakfast · guest house · 70 m from the finish
  • Altnaharra Hotel · hotel · 180 m from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
5 h 25 min
Best months
Jun to Aug — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months

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

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

2 photographs from the road

Photo: James Emmans · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Gordon Hatton · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Peter Wood · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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