North Coast 500
Since they named it, the lap of the top of Scotland has become a thing to do. Bikers have been riding there for years, but now the secret’s out and it attracts classic-car clubs, cyclists and sightseers in camper vans — so if you want to ride it in 2018, you’d better book ahead to secure your accommodation. Really. Book it now. It’s not that there are vast hordes of visitors, of course — more that there aren’t so many places to stay, so hotels and B&Bs fill up early.
It’s worth making the effort to organise your trip, though, as this isn’t merely one of the best bike rides in Britain, it’s one of the finest in Europe. Some of the roads are wide and smooth, many are single-track with passing places, but all of them are spectacular. They scroll through a wild landscape of mountains, moors, lochs and beaches. True, it’s not always dry but it’s majestic even on a damp day and when the sun shines, it’s truly magical.
The North Coast 500 route starts and finishes in Inverness but can be run in clockwise or anti-clockwise directions. It takes in dozens of classic biking roads including the challenging Pass of the Cattle to Applecross and the majestic run up Scotland’s west coast on the A835 and A894, along the north coast on the A838 and along the east coast on the A9. It’s a true must-ride route – so start planning.HOW TO GET THERE: We’d go to extravagant lengths to avoid the dull A9 to Inverness. Better to take the A82 alongside Loch Ness, or the A939 up through the Cairngorms.
WHEN TO GO: Spring to autumn, though summer is best (but be sure to pack the midge repellent).
WHERE TO STAY: We like Torguish House outside Inverness (www.torguish.co.uk) and the Kylesku Hotel halfway round the route (www.kyleskuhotel.co.uk).
WHERE TO RIDE: There’s a good website showing all the petrol stations and accommodation – www.northcoast500.com.
Alternatively you can get RiDE’s pre-planned NC500 tour (and our North Coast 600 version) from www.ride.co.uk/routes — just search ‘North Coast’ on the interactive map.
The North Coast 500
Getting there Day One - Distance: 165 miles - Riding time: 4.5 hours - Download the GPX file
Getting there Day Two - Distance: 250 miles - Riding time: 6 hours - Download the GPX file
North Coast 500 (anti-clockwise)
Day one - Distance -265 miles - Riding time: 6.5 hours - Download the GPX file
Day two - Distance - 255 miles - Riding time: 7.5 hours - Download the GPX file
North Coast 500 (clockwise)
Day one - Distance - 265 miles - Riding time: 7.5 hours - Download the GPX file
Day two - Distance - 300 miles - Riding time: 7.5 hours - Download the GPX file
RiDE’s North Coast 600
Day one - Distance - 286 miles - Riding time: 8 hours - Download the GPX file
Day two - Distance - 330 miles - Riding time: 8.5 hours - Download the GPX file
Distance - 370 miles - Riding time: 8 hours - Download the GPX file