North Coast 500

The total ascent is the equivalent of cycling to Camp 3 on Mount Everest, twice and we haven’t even mentioned the wind, it’s almost guaranteed to blow and as we are navigating the coastline at some point it will be in your face. Yet this tour is perfect for the sportive rider, looking to test him or herself on some of the most challenging and spectacular scenery that the United Kingdom has to offer. We will be following the official NC500 route as far as Thurso and then choosing a very quiet and safe route back to Inverness via Strath Halladale, Strathnaver and Altnaharra. For a number of safety reasons we will not be using the A9 south of Wick for the return ride to Inverness.

Travelling by train and arriving into Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands gives a taster of the countryside that will be on offer during the following week. Plan to arrive the night before the tour departs and you will have chance to savour the sights and sounds of the city that is the starting point of what will become a memorable cycling adventure into the Far North of Scotland.