Watten to John o' Groats
- 32 km
- 209 m
- Easy
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 209 m
- 32 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders prepared for a short 32 km route with moderate climbing of 209 m.
Stage 3 of 3 of the Great North Trail (John O' Groats): 31.9 km from Watten to John o' Groats with 209 m of climbing, on the signed route.
The route starts at Watten and heads north past the villages of Lyth, Lochside, Alterwall and Slickly, before reaching Canisbay at 23.9 km. From Canisbay the route continues to John o' Groats at 28.9 km where it finishes. The route has a total elevation gain of 209 m, with 64% of the climbing occurring in the first half of the ride. The highest point is 82 m at 19.4 km, and the lowest point is 15 m at 9.5 km. There is a notable climb just after Canisbay: over 2.3 km the road climbs 49 m at an average gradient of 2.1%, with a maximum of 3.9%. After that the route features a longest descent of 1.8 km from 22.7 km dropping 34 m. The surface is almost entirely paved (98%) with a very short unpaved section (2%). Roads are mainly minor roads (67%), with 30% on main roads, all on main roads without cycle lanes for 9.5 km. The two longest named roads are C1037 for 13 km and B870 for 6.5 km. There is no café, shop or water available for nearly 29 km after leaving Watten. Facilities at the start include a pub, convenience store, toilets and a monument. At John o' Groats there are shops, a petrol station, and fast food close to the route.
Highlights
- Ride from Watten to John o' Groats
- Longest named road C1037 for 13 km
- Climb near Canisbay rising 49 m over 2.3 km
- Peak near route: Duncansby Head (63 m)
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 24.7 km | 2.3 km | 49 m | 2.1 % | 3.9 % | 67 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 67% minor road · 30% main road · 2% quiet street · 2% track
- Main roads
- 9.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- C1037 (13 km), B870 (7 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 24% descending · 55% flat
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 29 km, from 0 km to 29 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmThe Brown Trout · pub · on the route
- 0 kmWoodside Village Store · convenience store · 90 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 28.8 kmSpicy Groats · fast food · 40 m off route
- 28.9 kmJohn O Groats Post Office · convenience store · on the route
- 28.9 kmJOHN O'GROATS FILLING STATION · petrol station · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 21.2 km — Pentland Ferries (ferry), 890 m off route
- 28.9 km — Ferry, 820 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Alexander Bain Monument (monument)
- 3.3 km — Scottag Cairn, Broch (archaeological site)
- 26.4 km — Green Hill Broch (archaeological site)
- 31.9 km — Duncansby Head (peak, 63 m)
At the start
- The Brown Trout · pub · 30 m
- Woodside Village Store · convenience store · 90 m
Stay after this ride
- Puffin Cottage B&B · guest house · 2.5 km from the finish
- Seaview Hotel · hotel · 2.6 km from the finish
- Hamnavoe · guest house · 2.9 km from the finish
- John o' Groats Guest House · guest house · 3.4 km from the finish
- John O'Groats Caravan and Camping Site · campsite · 2.4 km from the finish
Practical information
- Mixed
- Point to point
- 2 h 39 min
- Jul to Aug — daily highs of 16 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 28.8 km from Watten
- 9.5 km on main roads without cycle lane