Mixed · United Kingdom
Stage 5 of 6 · Scotland Trail← Stage 4Stage 6 →
Tomintoul to Ballater
A hilly 55 km gravel route from Tomintoul, Moray to Ballater through Inver, Balnault and Tynabaich, with 529 m of climbing. The first 40 km has no café, shop or water. Mixed surface: 47% is mapped as paved and 52% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 55.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 529 m
- Riding time
- 4 h 37 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 40 km
- Best months
- Jul to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Tomintoul → Ballater
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 529 m
- 55 km
Route description
- Tomintoul
- Inver
- Balnault
- Tynabaich
- Crathie
- Mains of Abergeldie
- Knock
- Ardmeanach
- Milton of Brackley
- Ballater
This route starts at Tomintoul and heads southeast for 55.4 km to finish in Ballater. It passes through Inver (37.3 km), Balnault (38.8 km), and Crathie (41.1 km), continuing past smaller places including Easter Balmoral and Knock. The elevation ranges from 201 m at the end to 721 m near km 23.5, with the first half containing 53% of the climbing. The ride features two climbs: a 2.6 km climb from 14.1 km rising 69 m at 2.7% average gradient, followed by a more sustained 3.9 km climb starting at 19.5 km, gaining 247 m at 6.3% average with a maximum of 11.4%. Maximum elevation is 721 m up near 23.5 km.
The surface is mixed, with about 47% paved and 52% gravel or unpaved; 59% of the route follows tracks, 30% on main roads including 12.8 km on the B976 and 3.4 km on the A93. Main roads lack dedicated cycle lanes along the full 16.3 km. The longest descent is 3.4 km dropping 237 m, starting near 23.7 km. Facilities include cafés, restaurants, and shops at the start in Tomintoul and the finish in Ballater. However, the middle 40 km stretch between 0.1 and 40.1 km lacks cafés, shops or water, so riders should prepare accordingly.
Notable places beside the route include the Queen Victoria viewpoint near 1.8 km, and castles such as Invercauld House (30.3 km) and Abergeldie Castle (44.6 km). Water is available near the finish at Ballater, alongside bike shops and several toilets.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 721 m, 23.5 km in.
Highlights
- Climbs reaching 721 m elevation
- Longest descent 3.4 km dropping 237 m
- Queen Victoria viewpoint near 2 km
- Castles at Invercauld and Abergeldie
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 14.1 km | 2.6 km · 69 m · 2.7 % · max 5.3 % | 483 m |
| Unnamed climb | 19.5 km | 3.9 km · 247 m · 6.3 % · max 11.4 % | 721 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (16.3 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 59% track · 30% main road · 5% minor road · 4% path · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 16.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 3.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B976 (13 km), A93 (3 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 47% is mapped as paved and 52% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 24% descending · 56% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.7 km over 5% · 1.6 km over 8% · 0.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 23.8% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 3.4 km from 23.7 km, dropping 237 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 40 km, from the start. Along the route: 23 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops, 2 water points, 1 petrol station, 5 public toilets and 3 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmVillage Store and Post Office · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 0.1 kmThe Highland Market · café · on the route
- 0.1 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 0.1 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 31.9 kmToilets · 160 m off route
- 40.1 kmBalmoral Gift shop and Cafe · restaurant · 210 m off route
- 40.1 kmToilets · 190 m off route
- 53.9 kmToilets · 110 m off route
- 54.2 kmRiverside Garage · petrol station · 290 m off route
- 54.2 kmDavidsons Chemists · pharmacy · 200 m off route
- 54.7 kmOrka Artisa Cafe & Bistro · café · 100 m off route
- 54.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 140 m off route
- 54.7 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 130 m off route
- 54.7 kmBike Station Ballater · bike shop · 70 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.8 km — The Queen Victoria viewpoint (viewpoint)
- 16.8 km — Crannog (archaeological site)
- 30.3 km — Invercauld House (castle)
- 44.6 km — Abergeldie Castle (castle)
- 52.3 km — Scurriestone (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- The Gordon Guest House · guest house · 70 m from the finish
- Netherly House · guest house · 80 m from the finish
- Celicall Guesthouse · guest house · 110 m from the finish
- The Monaltrie · hotel · 350 m from the finish
- Glenaden Hotel · hotel · 210 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- The Old Fire Station Tea Room (80 m), The Highland Market (100 m), Richmond Arms Hotel (60 m)
- Shops
- Village Store and Post Office (50 m)
At the finish
- Bikes and repair
- Bike Station Ballater (70 m)
- Food and coffee
- Orka Artisa Cafe & Bistro (100 m), The Bothy Ballater (120 m), Rothesay Rooms (20 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (140 m)
Know before you go
- Longest 40 km without café, shop or water (0.1 to 40.1 km)
- 16.3 km on main roads with no cycle lane
- 3.3 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
- Steepest sustained gradient 11.4% over 3.9 km
