- 10+ Guests Price as advertised*
- 8-9 Guests +$500 per person to trip price*
- 6-7 Guests +$1,000 per person to trip price*
- 4-5 Guests +$1,500 per person to trip price*
- 2-3 Guests +$3,000 per person to trip price*
- 1 Guest Call us for pricing*
Welcome to the Scottish Highlands! As you gaze out across the misty hills, remember that this place is defined by its unique, one-of-a-kind climate, landscape and big heart. Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Perth Railway Station in Perth at 11:00 AM. We’ll head north as a group to the Highland village of Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park for a relaxed lunch at a local museum cafe. After a brief introduction to your new travel companions and the rules of the road, you'll be fit to your Trek bike. Our warm-up route first takes us on a scenic loop along the River Dee and through the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. We’ll then head east along the river, passing the Royal Castle of Balmoral before arriving in the quaint village of Ballater. There, in the heart of the village, we’ll enjoy pre-dinner cocktails and learn more about the week ahead in the Scottish Highlands as we dine on a selection of local specialties.
Braemar to Ballater
Approximately 30 miles with 1,325 feet of climbing
Darroch Learg Hotel
Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
We’ll get to know Scotland’s natural beauty today, with a ride along the river, through forests and mountains. Starting right from the hotel doorstep in Ballater, we 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, we’ll gently climb alongside the river before reaching our first challenge of the tour. Two climbs take us 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 will find the Queen’s official residence in Scotland - Balmoral Castle. We'll stop for a visit of the intimate Royal Lochnagar Distillery and have a private whisky tasting. From Balmoral, it’s a short distance back to our starting point in Ballater. Now it’s time to relax before dinner on your own, with a stroll around the village or perhaps a pint at the local pub. If you'd like, you may play a round of golf at the Ballater Golf Club this afternoon or evening (not included in the trip price, please request with your trip consultant upon booking so the guides can assist with arranging a tee time - subject to tee time and rental availability). Our hotel is just a few minutes walk from the club.
Ballater to Royal Lochnagar Loop
Approximately 47 miles with 3,700 feet of climbing
Ballater to Balmoral
Approximately 40 miles with 3,345 feet of climbing
Private Whisky Tasting at Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Darroch Learg Hotel
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
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 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 blast downhill 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 climbs and descents follow lunch as we cross the Bridge of Brown, pass through the village of Nethy Bridge before arriving in the tiny hamlet of Dulnain Bridge. Our hotel sits on the edge of the village, with its gates marked by the two resident Highland cows in the adjacent field – a must-have photo!
Ballater to Muckrach Lodge
Approximately 42 miles with 3,765 feet of climbing
Lecht to Dulnain Bridge with Shuttle
Approximately 30 miles with 1,000 feet of climbing
Muckrach Lodge
Breakfast | Dinner
Today we take on a favorite local ride as we enjoy a relaxing loop across the wild heath-covered landscapes of Dava Moor. Riding from the hotel, take in the rolling farmland before turning north. A steady climb will take you up onto the Dava Moor, with its extensive vistas set beneath huge skies. We'll ride past Lochindorb, home to a history-filled ruined castle set on a small island, before crossing the historic hump of Dulsie Bridge. At lunchtime, we'll stop in Logie Steading at a converted country store for a cafe lunch. Be sure to check out their shops for whisky, antiques, and local crafts! After a lunch refuel, we'll continue south, descending into the beautiful village of Grantown-on-Spey, just a few miles from our hotel. Stop in for a well-deserved drink at the local inn as you reflect on the day's ride prior to a short shuttle back to our 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.
Muckrach Lodge to Grantown-on-Spey
Approximately 50 miles with 2,770 feet of climbing
Muckrach Lodge
Breakfast | Lunch
Today we dig deeper into another famous tall tale of Scottish history with a trip down to mystical, magical Loch Ness. We ride straight from the hotel this morning, initially enjoying a rolling ride with superb views of the high summits of the Cairngorms National Park. Reaching the village of Carrbridge, we pause to admire the famous arched ‘Packhorse Bridge’, which dates back to 1717. We then turn northwest, passing under the impressive Findhorn Viaduct which was completed in 1897, as we ride towards the village of Farr. Enjoy the vast views as we ride across the wild moors which form the southern banks of Loch Ness. Lunch this afternoon is available a charming local tea house we stop at along the way. The ride ends with an epic descent, dropping 1,300 feet over 5 miles, taking us down to the banks of Loch Ness itself and directly to our hotel in the attractive village of Fort Augustus. After settling into the hotel, there is time for a thrilling speedboat (or Zodiac, as it's known locally) ride on Loch Ness - the perfect aperitif! Our final night ends with a dinner celebrating a memorable week of riding the Highlands.
Muckrach Lodge to Foyers w/ shuttle
Approximately 49 miles with 3,185 feet of climbing
Muckrach Lodge to Fort Augustus
Approximately 61 miles with 4,275 feet of climbing
Private Zodiac Trip on Loch Ness
The Lovat
Breakfast | Social Hour | Dinner
It’s time to bid farewell to your Trek Travel guides and the atmospheric Scottish Highlands – perhaps with one final ride up a local classic climb used on the Loch Ness Etape. Or, simply rise at your own pace and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we take 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.
Fort Augustus to Glendoe Climb Return
Approximately 11 miles with 1,500 feet of climbing
Breakfast
Welcome to the Scottish Highlands! As you gaze out across the misty hills, remember that this place is defined by its unique, one-of-a-kind climate, landscape, and big heart. Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Perth Railway Station in Perth at 11:00 AM. We’ll head north as a group to the Highland village of Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park for a relaxed lunch at a local museum cafe. After a brief introduction to your new travel companions and the rules of the road, you'll be fit 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. There, in the heart of the village, we’ll enjoy pre-dinner cocktails and learn more about the week ahead in the Scottish Highlands as we dine on a selection of local specialties.
Braemar to Ballater
Approximately 30 miles with 1,325 feet of climbing
Darroch Learg Hotel
Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
We’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 tour. 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. We'll stop for a visit of the intimate Royal Lochnagar Distillery and have a private whisky tasting. From Balmoral, it’s a short distance back to our starting point in Ballater. Now it’s time to relax before dinner on your own, with a stroll around the village or perhaps a pint at the local pub. If you'd like, you may play a round of golf at the Ballater Golf Club this afternoon or evening (not included in the trip price, please request with your trip consultant upon booking so the guides can assist with arranging a tee time - subject to tee time and rental availability). Our hotel is just a few minutes walk from the club.
Ballater to Royal Lochnagar Loop
Approximately 47 miles with 3,700 feet of climbing
Ballater to Balmoral
Approximately 40 miles with 3,345 feet of climbing
Private Whisky Tasting at Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Darroch Learg Hotel
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
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 blast downhill 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 climbs and descents follow lunch as you cross the Bridge of Brown, pass through the village of Nethy Bridge before arriving in the tiny hamlet of Dulnain Bridge. Our hotel sits on the edge of the village, with its gates marked by the two resident Highland cows in the adjacent field – a must-have photo with these woolly, hardy animals!
Ballater to Muckrach Lodge
Approximately 42 miles with 3,765 feet of climbing
Lecht to Dulnain Bridge with Shuttle
Approximately 30 miles with 1,000 feet of climbing
Muckrach Lodge
Breakfast | Dinner
Today we take on a favorite local ride as we enjoy a relaxing loop across the wild heath-covered landscapes of Dava Moor. Riding from the hotel, take in the rolling farmland before turning north. A steady climb will take you up onto the Dava Moor, with its extensive vistas set beneath huge skies. You'll ride past Lochindorb, home to a history-filled ruined castle set on a small island, before crossing the historic hump of Dulsie Bridge. At lunchtime, we'll stop in Logie Steading at a converted country store for a cafe lunch together. Be sure to check out their shops for whisky, antiques, and local crafts! After a lunch refuel, you'll continue south, descending into the beautiful village of Grantown-on-Spey, just a few miles from our hotel. Stop in for a well-deserved drink at the local inn as you reflect on the day's ride prior to a short shuttle back to our 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.
Muckrach Lodge to Grantown-on-Spey
Approximately 50 miles with 2,770 feet of climbing
Muckrach Lodge
Breakfast | Lunch
Today we dig deeper into another famous tall tale of Scottish history with a trip down to mystical, magical Loch Ness. You'll ride straight from the hotel this morning, initially enjoying a rolling ride with superb views of the high summits of the Cairngorms National Park. Upon reaching the village of Carrbridge, pause to admire the famous arched ‘Packhorse Bridge’, which dates back to 1717. You'll then turn northwest, passing under the impressive Findhorn Viaduct which was completed in 1897, and then ride towards the village of Farr. Enjoy the vast views as you ride across the wild moors which form the southern banks of Loch Ness. Lunch this afternoon is available at a charming local tea house where we stop along the way. The ride ends with an epic descent, dropping 1,300 feet over 5 miles, taking you down to the banks of Loch Ness itself and directly to our hotel in the attractive village of Fort Augustus. After settling into the hotel, there is time for a thrilling speedboat (or Zodiac, as it's known locally) ride on Loch Ness - the perfect aperitif! Our final night ends with a dinner celebrating a memorable week of riding the Highlands.
Muckrach Lodge to Foyers w/ shuttle
Approximately 49 miles with 3,185 feet of climbing
Muckrach Lodge to Fort Augustus
Approximately 61 miles with 4,275 feet of climbing
Private Zodiac Trip on Loch Ness
The Lovat
Breakfast | Social Hour | Dinner
It’s time to bid farewell to your Trek Travel guides and the atmospheric Scottish Highlands – perhaps with one final ride up a local 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.
Fort Augustus to Glendoe Climb Return
Approximately 11 miles with 1,500 feet of climbing
Breakfast
Every moment of a Trek Travel bike trip has more than you could have ever dreamed. More romance. More scenery. More choice. It's the little additions to every Trek Travel cycling vacation that make it truly special. And that's how we help you create more memories.
It isn’t the cycling vacation of a lifetime unless you have the industry’s best bike to match. The Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 is a high-quality build that will hold up for long, rugged miles on pavement, dirt, and even the most treacherous gravel roads. But what sets this model apart is the performance parts and the wealth of features like adjustable Stranglehold dropouts, massive tire clearance, and extra mounts that make it easy to customize for your kind of adventure. Learn More
With its Low-Step frame design, hopping on and off the Trek Verve+ is super easy. The front suspension will take the edge off any bumps in the road and the Bosch system will keep you smiling from ear to ear. The integrated battery keeps this bike looking sleek as you pedal through amazing terrain. Learn More
See itinerary for specific daily ride distances and elevation options. On all of our vacations, Trek Travel strives to find quiet, paved secondary roads or bike paths to experience a region; busy roads are avoided as much as possible. Our itineraries are an approximation of our trips. Trek Travel strives to offer every guest a vacation of a lifetime on every trip. At times routes, hotels, activities, etc. listed here may change at the discretion of the trip designer or guides to improve the trip experience.
Averages and totals are calculated from our Today’s Ride options.
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 can be found at www.scotrail.co.uk or at thetrainline.com. We highly recommend exploring Edinburgh before your trip; however, if you do choose to spend a night or two in Perth, your Trek Travel Trip Consultant can happily provide you with a couple of hotel recommendations.
Perth Railway Station | Perth, UK
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. You will receive an email a week before the trip start with their names and contact details. 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.
View our pre hotel recommendationsLovat Hotel | Fort Augustus, Scotland
You will say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM at The Lovat Hotel. You'll then board a 1.25-hour private shuttle to Inverness 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.
View our post hotel recommendationsSummer temperatures range from the 50s to 70s. Always remember that rain is possible at any time of the year–daily Scottish weather is very unpredictable! It’s a good idea to bring a light rain jacket, as well as layers. Packing List
Reasons to stay in Scotland's capital abound. Since the 15th century, this city has served as the hub for Parliament, government, royalty, and judicial courts. Both the Old Town and New Town together have been maintained as an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. See for yourself the majestic stone castles, bell towers, and universities. Full days can be dedicated to meandering the many neighborhoods, visiting art museums or galleries, and partaking in the classic Scottish sport of golf. (We can also provide recommendations for Perth, if you choose to stay there instead of Edinburgh. Please contact your trip consultant for details.) We recommend the following accommodations for your pre-trip hotel in Edinburgh:
As one of the smallest cities in Scotland with some 55,000 people, Inverness is ideally located as a hub in the north of Scotland. Known as the "Highland Capital" Inverness offers outdoor activities as well as many cultural attractions. Enjoy dolphin watching on Chanonry Point, arguably the best place to watch Bottlenose Dolphins in Scotland. Walk along the Caledonian Canal, a Scheduled Ancient Monument that runs the length of the Great Glen. Explore some local castles and forteresses and learn about highland clan history, or savor a pint with some live music at the Hootananny Ceilidh Bar. If you like to play golf, there are several Links courses nearby: Royal Dornoch (www.royaldornoch.com), Castle Stuart (www.castlestuartgolf.com), and Nairn Dunbar (www.nairndunbar.com) We recommend the following accommodations for your post-trip hotel:
Our unrivaled selection of Trek Bikes sets the bar for quality and comfort. From the ultra-smooth Trek Domane SL 7 to the Trek Electric-Assist Verve+, you deserve the best ride on your vacation. Plus, we offer a range upgrade options to take you the extra mile.
Our guides are trained to make your trip magical. They aren't just experts in riding; they're trained in delivering uncompromising service in ways you won't believe. We know that it's the unexpected surprises that make a trip magical. That's why our guides pride themselves on anticipating your needs before you ask.
Our vacations are built to deliver the ultimate in flexibility, from extreme relaxers to hard-core roadies. You pick your mileage, itinerary and experiences. We take care of the rest.