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(4) Great Glen Cycle Route

Extremely hilly, the final part is on public roads, see also alternative route (5)

Route Profile

The Great Glen profile

Route Map

Map of The Great Glen

Key route details

Region(s): The Highlands and Skye
Distance: 46 miles
Difficulty: Hilly route
Type of Ride: Mountain Biking
Surface: Dirt Road
Environment: Rural

Start Point: Fort Augustus
End Point: Inverness via Drumnadrochit

What's Nearby:

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From Fort Augustus go north on the A82 for 1.5 miles to Allt na Criche picnic site. Turn left into the forest following the cycling signs.

It's seven miles on hilly forest trails to Invermoriston. There are areas here where the forest has been clear cut - not so attractive, but it does give good views of the loch. There is a long sweep round to the west to make the descent to Invermoriston, then a steep drop to a T junction where you turn right.

At Invermoriston you enter forest again behind the Glenmoriston Arms Hotel. This section is more arduous but has some good views, you climb steeply at first on a surfaced road. After four miles this part ends near Loch Ness Youth Hostel.

The next part is ten miles and consists of a stiff climb of 300m, a high level section, then a link to join a minor road leading to Drumnadrochit. The minor road emerges on to the A82 by the River Coiltie. Turn left and bike half a mile to Drumnadrochit. There are two competing Loch Ness Monster Exhibitions here, plus shops and a tea room. There is no source of food or drink between Drumnadrochit and Inverness.

In Drumnadrochit turn left on to the A831 for 1.5 miles, then right on to the A833 (signed Beauly) to climb, very steeply, out of Glen Urquhart. After five miles turn right for Abriachan (signed Foxhole). Bear right at the next two junctions (signed Drumnadrochit via Loch Ness).

Just before Abriachan turn left at a cross roads (signed Blackfold) passing a phone box, cross cattle grids then drop steeply to the A82 for Inverness. In Inverness cross the canal bridge and turn east to Bught Lane and follow the river to the town centre.