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Trip Itinerary
Discover Scotland’s legendary Loch Ness and the heart of Speyside Whisky Country on a guided bike tour through dramatic highland landscapes.
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Where to Arrive
Airport:
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Pick-up location:
Perth Railway Station, Perth, UK
Pick-up time:
11:00 AM
Where to Depart
Airport:
Inverness Airport (INV)
Drop-off location:
Inverness Airport, Inverness, Scotland
Drop-off time:
12:30 PM
Additional Arrival Information
We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the trip start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays. We recommend you fly into Edinburgh Airport (EDI) and then take a train to Perth. You can either travel to Perth the day before the trip starts and take a short taxi to meet the group the following morning; or you can head over on the 9:29 AM train from Edinburgh on Day 1 of your trip, which will arrive at the Perth Railway Station at 10:52 AM. Train tickets and updated schedules can be found at www.scotrail.co.uk or at thetrainline.com. We highly recommend exploring Edinburgh before your trip.
Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Perth Railway Station (Leonard St, Perth PH2 8RT, UK) at 11:00 AM on the first day of the trip. You’ll then shuttle approximately one and a quarter hours to the trip start. Please have your first day’s riding gear handy and separate from your other luggage to facilitate the bike fitting and ride.
If you will be late for the pick-up or will miss it altogether, please inform your guides. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hotel, Darroch Learg (+44 13397 55443), and leave a message with your expected arrival time and contact details. A taxi to the first night’s hotel will cost approximately $120.
Additional Departure Information
From The Lovat Hotel in Fort Augustus, you will say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM. You'll then board a private shuttle to Inverness, arriving around 12:15 PM, where you can be dropped off either at the train station or the airport. Please do not book flights for departure prior to 2:30 PM or train tickets for departure prior to 1:00 PM.
Welcome to the Highland village of Braemar and the Cairngorms National Park
Overview
Welcome to the Scottish Highlands! As you gaze out across the misty hills, remember that this place is defined by its unique climate, stunning landscape, and warm-hearted people. Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Perth Railway Station in Perth at 11:00 AM. We’ll head north together to the Highland village of Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park for a relaxed lunch at a delightful museum cafe. After a brief introduction to your new travel companions and an overview of the rules of the road, you'll be fitted to your Trek bike. Our warm-up route first takes you on a scenic loop along the River Dee and through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. You’ll then head east along the river, passing the Royal Castle of Balmoral before arriving in the quaint village of Ballater. In the heart of the village, we’ll enjoy pre-dinner cocktails and learn more about the week ahead in the Scottish Highlands while dining on a selection of regional specialties.
Hotel
Darroch Learg Hotel
Meals included
Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Caledonian Forest
Riding through the breathtaking ancient Caledonian pine forest of Royal Deeside, you may even be lucky enough to spot some rare local wildlife.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Braemar to Ballater - Approximately 31 mi | 50 km and 1,393 ft | 425 m
Ride through the valleys of Royal Deeside and Donside along the river, through forests and mountains
Overview
You’ll experience the true essence of Scotland’s natural beauty today, with a ride along the river, through forests and mountains. Starting right from the hotel doorstep in Ballater, you'll follow the valley of Royal Deeside before turning north and passing through several small villages to reach the next valley of Donside. You can expect quiet roads in this scenic corner of the Highlands where heather-clad hills form the beautiful backdrop. After a hearty picnic lunch together, you’ll gently climb alongside the river before reaching your first challenge of the week. Two climbs take you and your riding companions over military roads built in the 1700s to help government forces travel through these wild highlands. Magnificent views across the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park provide ample reward as does the fast cruise down to the tiny village of Crathie. Here you'll find the Queen’s official residence in Scotland - Balmoral Castle. From Balmoral, it’s a short distance back to our starting point in Ballater. Now it’s time to relax before dinner; enjoy a stroll around the village or perhaps go out for a pint. Our hotel is just a few minutes walk from the pub.
Hotel
Darroch Learg Hotel
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Cairngorms National Park
A ride along the river, through forests and mountains
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Royal Deeside Loop - Approximately 50 mi | 80 km and 3,663 ft | 1,116 m
Ride Option 2
SHORT OPTION:
Short Royal Deeside Loop - Approximately 41 mi | 66 km and 2,912 ft | 888 m
Ride Option 3
AVID OPTION:
Avid Royal Deeside Loop - Approximately 57 mi | 92 km and 4,340 ft | 1,323 m
Discover the heart of Speyside’s Whisky Country
Overview
Are you ready to discover the distilled side of Scotland? Enjoy a relaxed Highland breakfast before rolling out of Ballater and into the hills for a classic Scottish ride through the heart of Speyside’s Whisky Country. Our route today crosses one of the highest roads in the UK, the Lecht Pass, with some steep ramps which will test your legs and challenge your heart. From the pass, it’s a fast descent into the village of Tomintoul. Explore the highest village in the Highlands over a lunch of your choice before cruising through Speyside, which is the undisputed home of Scotch Whisky. More climbing and rolling terrain follows lunch as you cross the Bridge of Brown, pass through the village of Nethy Bridge. From there, we will shuttle to our next hotel in Inverness.
Hotel
Ness Walk Hotel
Meals included
Breakfast
Highlight of the Day
Lecht Pass
An incredible days ride, over some of Scotland most famous cycling climbs, including The Lecht Pass.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Ballater to Aviemore - Approximately 38 mi | 61 km and 3,468 ft | 1,057 m
Ride Option 2
SHORT OPTION:
Ballater to Aviemore - Approximately 24 mi | 38.5 km and 2,600 ft | 793 m
Ride Option 3
AVID OPTION:
Avid Ballater to Aviemore - Approximately 49 mi | 79 km and 3,880 ft | 1,183 m
Explore the landscaped gardens of Cawdor Castle and the tranquil countryside of Dava Moor
Overview
Today we take on the local's favorite ride as we enjoy a relaxing loop across the wild heath-covered landscapes of Dava Moor. We take a short morning shuttle to Cawdor Castle, built in the 14th century, to explore its landscape gardens before setting off on our ride. A steady climb will take you up onto the Dava Moor, with its extensive vistas set beneath huge skies. We’ll cross the historic Dulsie Bridge, which dates back to 1755 when it was built in by Major William Caufield (or, more likely, his troops!) and then ride out onto the moor. At lunchtime, we’ll stop in a pretty farm courtyard, which has been converted into a small country store, selling whisky, local crafts and second-hand books (many about Scotland). Of course, it has a lovely cafe too! After a lunch refuel, you'll continue west, completing our loop and finishing at the atmospheric Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle fought on British soil, when Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite rebellion came to a bloody end in 1746. We take a walk around the battlefield to stretch our legs and soak up the atmosphere, before a 10-minute shuttle takes us back to the hotel. Tonight is free for you to enjoy on your own, and your guides will help you secure reservations for dinner in town, or simply stay back to dine at the hotel.
Hotel
Ness Walk Hotel
Meals included
Breakfast | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Culloden Battlefield
Culloden Battlefield is the last hand-to-hand battle fought on British soil.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Cawdor to Culloden - Approximately 43 mi | 70 km and 2,988 ft | 911 m
Ride Option 2
SHORT OPTION:
Cawdor to Culloden, Dava and Logie Logie - Approximately 19 mi | 30 km and 1,203 ft | 367 m
Cycle to Loch Ness and enjoy a private boat cruise across this mystical, storied lake
Overview
Today we delve into another famous Scottish legend with a trip to the mystical Loch Ness. You'll set off from the hotel this morning, riding out of Inverness and onto the open moorlands above the city. A beautiful descent brings us down to the shore of Loch Ness, where we enjoy a scenic ride along a shore-hugging road. Keep an eye out for the monster as we head towards the village of Foyers for lunch. After lunch, we ride across the wild moors which form the southern banks of Loch Ness. The ride concludes with an epic descent, dropping 1,300 feet over five miles, taking you to our hotel in the picturesque village of Fort Augustus. After settling in, enjoy a boat cruise on Loch Ness—the perfect aperitif! Our final night ends with a dinner celebrating a memorable week of riding through the Highlands.
Hotel
The Lovat
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Featured Meal | The Lovat
The Lovat crafts Highland ingredients into culinary masterpieces. Enjoy fresh seafood, meats, cheeses, seasonal berries, and authentic Scottish recipes, all beautifully presented with meticulous attention to detail and focus on zero waste.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Inverness to Fort Augustus - Approximately 33 mi | 53 km and 2,410 ft | 735 m
Ride Option 2
SHORT RIDE:
Inverness to Foyers Point - Approximately 20 mi | 32 km and 1,277 ft | 389 m
Ride Option 3
AVID RIDE:
Inverness to Foyers Point - Approximately 39 mi | 63 km and 3,029 ft | 923 m
Activities
Activity 1
TODAY'S ACTIVITY:
Private Zodiac Trip on Loch Ness
Say farewell with a local classic, the Glendoe Climb
Overview
It’s time to bid farewell to your Trek Travel guides and the atmospheric Scottish Highlands – perhaps with one final ride up a classic climb used on the Loch Ness Etape. Or, simply rise at your own pace and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before taking a one-hour transfer to the Highland capital of Inverness. You'll say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM and board a private shuttle to Inverness Aiport. Please do not schedule a flight out of Inverness Airport before 2:30 PM or a train before 1:00 PM on the last day to allow plenty of time for any unforeseen delays.
Meals included
Breakfast
Highlight of the Day
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Fort Augustus to Great Glen Way - Approximately 11 mi | 18 km and 1,563 ft | 476 m
If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.
Don’t see exactly what you are looking for or looking for a custom date?
Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735
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Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).
Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).
Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).
Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).
Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).
Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).
Gravel: 4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.
Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.
Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.
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Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.
Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.
Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself