A new guidebook to Cycle Touring in Northern Scotland has just been published. The guidebook, written by Mike Wells and published by Cicerone describes a 528-mile circular cycling route around Scotland’s far north, starting and finishing in the highland capital Inverness.
Suitable for mountain, touring and road bikes, the cycling is entirely on asphalt surfaces and the quiet roads take you right through the heart of the region’s beautiful and varied landscapes, passing craggy mountains, verdant glens, rolling peat moorland dotted with lochs and wild rugged coastline. However, with ascent totalling nearly 8000m, this is a challenging route – although alternatives are provided to allow you to avoid the most taxing sections. The circuit can be comfortably completed in a fortnight.
The region boasts stunning scenery and rich historical interest and cyclists will be treated to mile upon mile of unspoilt wilderness. There are views of some of Scotland’s majestic Munro peaks and the route visits both Durness and John o’ Groats – near to the northwestern and northeastern extremities of mainland Britain. And if the magnificent scenery isn’t enough, there are many distilleries and micro-breweries on or near the route guaranteed to entice.
Featuring clear and concise route description, together with 1:150,000 mapping, gradient profiles, suggested schedules and invaluable practical information – including complete lists of all hostel/bunkhouse accommodation, official campsites and services for cyclists, and advice on other accommodation and refreshment opportunities – you’ll find all the information needed to plan and execute a terrific cycle tour. With notes on history, geology, wildlife and local points of interest, the guide offers a perfect way to get to know Scotland’s captivating far north.
What’s inside?
• the 528-mile circuit in 16 stages
• alternative routes avoiding the steep ascent of Bealach na Bà and the undulating Assynt peninsula, and via the busier A9 east coast road
• comprehensive notes on accommodation and facilities
About the author
Mike Wells has been a keen long-distance walker and cyclist for over 25 years. He has cycled the C2C route across northern England and Lôn Las Cymru in Wales, as well as the Camino and Ruta de la Plata to Santiago de la Compostela. His guides for Cicerone include cycling routes along the Rivers Rhine, Rhone, Danube and Loire.
