Scotland: Ride The Caledonia Way

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival - Transfer to Campbeltown

   The group will meet at Balloch in order to transfer to Campbeltown.
   
   You will take the journey through the beautiful Scottish scenery, making some stops along the way to take in the sights.
   
   On arrival into Campbeltown there will be time set aside for bike fitting in preparation for tomorrow’s first day in the saddle. Your evening meal will be taken at a local restaurant / pub in Campbeltown.
   
   

   • Local Accommodation
2. Day 2Campbeltown to Tarbert

   Your journey begins on the beautiful peninsula of Kintyre in peaceful Campbeltown. Once proclaimed ‘the whisky capital of the world’ it is located on a deep bay sheltered by Davaar Island and the surrounding hills – a fitting place to start your ride.
   
   There’s little time for warming up the legs on this initial day as you are straight into things pretty much from the off. Whilst the road is quiet, it’s certainly got some short and steep ‘cheeky climbs’ as it edges its way along the dramatic coastline of the Kilbrannan Sound and affords you wonderful views across to Arran.
   
   After riding past the aptly named Saddell (with its 17th Century castle), you'll continue to the hamlet of Claonaig where you'll turn inland to ride across Kintyre to Kennacraig. From here it’s pretty much downhill all the way to Tarbert. Situated on the west shores of Loch Fyne, Tarbert is a bustling little place and an ideal spot to spend the night with a nice harbour for a little leg stretch after your day in the saddle.
   

   • 37.9 miles
   • 3,215.2 ft
     3,215.2 ft
   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
3. Day 3Tarbert to Lochgilphead

   Certainly less hilly than yesterday, today’s ride is nevertheless as, if not more, spectacular with minimal traffic on the quiet rural roads. Re-tracing your pedal strokes out of Tarbert, you'll soon be in the dramatic scenery of Knapdale – one of Scotland’s 40 National Scenic Areas. Identified as an area of exceptional scenery to ensure protection from inappropriate development, it’s easy to see why it made the grade.
   
   Meandering your way around the peninsula, you’ll be setting your sights on Lochgilphead where you will end the day. For those up for a wee challenge, the gravel section above Loch Fyne is a must or should you prefer a smoother way into town, then there is a good road option as well. Situated at the apex of Loch Gilp (an offshoot of Loch Fyne) the town grew in importance following the opening of the nearby Crinan Canal and today remains a popular base to explore Kintyre. With its eclectic mix of old buildings, shops, pubs and small ‘eateries’ you’ll not get a better slice of real rural Highlands life!
   

   • 35.4 miles
   • 2,755.9 ft
     2,755.9 ft
   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
4. Day 4Lochgilphead to Connel

   Following a couple of days of fairly challenging riding, your initial miles along the towpath of the Crinan Canal are a welcoming start to the day as you head into the wonderful Kilmartin Glen. Considered to have one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland, the area is scattered with ancient monuments, standing stones and burial cairns, some of which you’ll visit during your morning section of the ride.
   
   On reaching the immense Loch Awe, you’ll be following its western shore. Raising the bar somewhat is this truly awesome (no pun intended!) section of the Caledonia Way. Whilst very narrow in places, it’s well surfaced with continual steep ups and downs testing the legs and honing the concentration. For many, this section will no doubt rank high on the highlights of the trip with a very well-deserved coffee and cake stop at Dalavich providing sustenance just at the right juncture.
   
   The roller-coaster ride then continues (though less demanding) until Annat where you'll head northwards away from the loch and along to Taynuilt. From here on in, the scenery becomes more pastoral with the route winding its way through Glen Lonan with large stretches of farmland. Make sure you keep an eye out for the Hairy Highland Coos during this section! You'll then descend into Connel; the loch-side village on the Firth of Lorn, where you'll stay for the evening, and get to enjoy some lovely seafood. If you have the time, it’s worth exploring the spectacular Falls of Lora; the naturally occurring tidal rapids under Connel bridge, which occur as the tide flows out at the narrow mouth of the loch.
   

   • 52.8 miles
   • 3,576.1 ft
     3,576.1 ft
   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
5. Day 5Connel to Fort William

   Another day of gorgeous views and fabulous riding ahead!  You'll start the day by crossing the impressive Connel Bridge before your tyres are treated to a traffic-free cycle route between Loch Creran and Loch Leven for around 20 miles with much of the path built along the former railway line from Connel to the slate quarries near Ballachulish.
   
   It’s a truly wonderful and largely flat route that meanders its way along and with only the odd steep section to contend with, you’ll be eating up the miles. Leaving the cycleway (close to Corran) you'll cross Loch Linhe from Nether Lochaber to arrive in Ardgour just ten minutes later.
   
   From here you'll keep pedalling alongside the loch for another 20 miles before catching a second ferry that takes you from Camusnagaul to Fort William where you'll stay for the evening. Situated “beneath” Scotland’s and the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis (1345m), it’s a busy little place with no shortage of establishments for a wee dram or to tuck into some Highlands fayre.
   

   • 44.7 miles
   • 2,050.5 ft
     2,050.5 ft
   • Accommodation Fort William
   • Breakfast and Lunch
6. Day 6Fort William to Fort Augustus

   This day has a bit of everything terrain-wise to contend with. Starting gently out of Fort William, you are soon beside Scotland’s longest inland waterway, the Caledonian Canal, and following the course of the Great Glen, a stunning 100km long narrow valley that cuts through the Lochs of Oich, Lochy and Ness.
   
   At Clunes, you'll leave the flat of the canalside behind for a while and head along the forest road through Clunes Wood. Whilst certainly an off-road section, it isn’t too technically demanding (even for those not used to off-road riding) with the trail wide.
   
   After Laggan Locks, you'll enter the forest again to take the path north of Loch Oich via Invergarry, enjoying undulating gravel forest tracks and single-track paths. Popping out of the trees at Aberchalder, you'll rejoin the canalside towpath for the final 5 miles to Fort Augustus.
   
   Situated on the most southern tip of Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way, this historic and scenic hamlet is where you’ll stay, with your evening meal taken at one of its small restaurants.
   

   • 35.4 miles
   • 2,099.7 ft
     2,099.7 ft
   • Fort Augustus Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch

   • 

     Neptune's Staircase

     Near Fort William, see the impressive series of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal

7. Day 7Fort Augustus to Inverness

   Your final day on the bikes is a real cracker and will certainly end the trip in style. With only a few hundred metres to warm up the legs, you are soon tackling one of the classic Scottish climbs as you head up Glendoe which at just over 5 miles in length climbs around 366 Metres / 1200ft over the distance.
   
   Your reward, however, is an equally long stunning descent (with no turns) that will flip your grimace into a grin as you speed down this wide road before continuing on to the Falls of Foyers, situated on the southern shores of Loch Ness. Your final 20 miles takes you beside Loch Ness (monster spotting, anyone??) before the final rural roads lead you into Inverness. Congratulations!! You’ve ridden the Caledonia Way and it’s time for celebrations after a week of incredible cycling and scenery.
   

   • 33.6 miles
   • 2,198.2 ft
     2,198.2 ft
   • Inverness Accommodation
   • Breakfast and Lunch
8. Day 8Departure - Inverness

   After your final hearty Scottish breakfast of the trip, you'll start your return journey home. Transfers to the train station or airport at Inverness, or back to cars in Balloch will be provided. This is an amazing drive with breathtaking scenery, allowing you a few more photo opportunities before you bid your farewells.
   
   

   • Breakfast