THE FIFTY WALKING AND CYCLING ROUTES:
Route Locations Map:
This is to show the approximate recommended starting points as indicated in the book. As many of the routes cover a good area (especially the biking ones) there are many other places where it is possible to start to pick up a route.
Use the control on the map to zoom in, grab and move to pan around,
(or press and twirl different parts of your mouse when hovering over the map!)
Click on a marker for descriptions.
Cycle Routes:
Distance 48 miles
Surface B-roads, minor roads and traffic-free tarmac cycle path
Spin past the wind farm over the northern edge of the Monadhliath mountains before a rolling descent into the city. Start/finish Whin Park, Inverness
Distance 17.5 miles
Surface Off-road vehicle tracks and singletrack, short minor road and A-road sections
Experience cracking off-road cycling to be enjoyed in the forests around Strathpeffer
Start/finish Strathpeffer Square
Distance 25 miles
Surface Minor roads
Travel deep into the country on this quiet road ride into the moors above Cawdor
Start/finish Cawdor Village Green
Distance 14 miles
Surface Minor roads, short B-road section, tarmac cycle track
Visit a friendly village at the end of a quiet Black Isle road
Start/finish North Kessock
Distance 71 miles
Surface Half off-road on forest tracks and singletrack; half on mostly minor roads; very hilly throughout
Look out for Nessie on this challenging circular trip around the world famous loch
Start/finish Whin Park, Inverness
Distance 9.5 miles
Surface Muddy forest track followed by minor roads, B-road section and more forest tracks
Get splattered with dirt on this adrenaline-pumping route on the outskirts of Inverness
Start/finish Balloch Community Woodland, near Inverness
Distance 50 miles
Surface Tarmac and earth cycle path, minor roads, short sections on main road, good vehicle tracks, 2-mile walking section on narrow mountain path, fords
An off-road adventure over two high passes going into remote glens
Start/finish Ralia Cafe, near Newtonmore
Distance 20 miles
Surface Earth and stone canal towpath, short section on busy A82 before minor roads, then good but bumpy tracks
One monster hill from the shore of Loch Ness is the focus for this tough but exhilarating ride
Start/finish Tomnahurich Bridge, Inverness
Distance 52 miles
Surface Mostly minor roads and quiet B-road with some tarmac cycle track
Explore the beauty of the Black Isle peninsula on this road ride to Cromarty and back
Start/finish North Kessock
Distance 29 miles
Surface Mostly minor roads, some B-road sections
Discover south Loch Ness – and some rare birdlife – on this peaceful cycle tour
Start/finish Inverness High Street
Distance 24 miles
Surface Mostly forest tracks, some bumpy ascents and loose descents – care required! Short sections on minor roads and main road to finish
Follow a beautiful glen out of Drumnadrochit then pick up wonderful forest trails to visit an ancient monument
Start/finish Visitor Information Centre, Drumnadrochit
Distance 15 miles
Surface Minor roads, forest tracks, tarmac cycle track, very short section on busy dual carriageway which must be crossed
Have a blast as you leave the Highland capital behind on General Wade’s route towards Edinburgh
Start/finish High Street, Inverness
Distance 25 miles
Surface Busy A and B-road sections, minor roads, traffic free cycle path
A favourite ride for locals and a nice circular route for traffic confident cyclists
Start/finish Muirtown canal bridge, Inverness
Distance 29 miles
Surface Forest tracks, singletrack, some pushing/ carrying required, steep climbs and descents
An epic mountain bike adventure into the wild heart of Scotland’s most beautiful glen
Start/finish Cannich Village Hall
Distance 64 miles
Surface A road ride mostly on minor roads and tarmac traffic free cycle path, with some main road sections.
Engineering triumphs connect the different elements of this excellent route
Start/finish Inverness High Street
Distance 9.5 miles
Surface Quiet single-track roads, B-road, short busy Aroad section; some steep hills
A delightful circular road ride between Inverness and Beauly with magnificent views north
Start/finish Old North Inn, Inchmore
Distance 50 miles
Surface Estate roads, rocky vehicle tracks, intermittent walkers’ path, remote, steep in places, navigation skills required
An epic coast-to-coast traverse for well-prepared mountain bikers with lots of stamina
Start/finish Ullapool/Alness
Distance 32.5 miles
Surface B roads and minor roads, main road crossings
From ancient burial chambers to the home of the Black Watch on some tantalising country roads
Start/finish Clava Cairns, Culloden, Inverness
Distance 40 miles
Surface Minor roads, some busy main roads, sections of tarmac cycle path
Set off over the Kessock Bridge for a road ride around Ross-shire
Start/finish Inverness High Street
Distance 34 miles (plus 32 miles return to Inverness)
Surface Rough, eroded military road; single-track roads; sections on A roads; navigation skills required.
Follow in the footsteps of General Wade on a high climb over this famous mountain route
Start/finish Newtonmore/Fort Augustus
Distance 118 miles (Day one – 56m; Day two – 62m)
Surface Mostly single-track roads
A beautiful two-day tour to the north-west corner of the Highlands
Start/finish Lairg
Distance 40 miles one-way
Surface National Cycle Network on minor roads and tarmac traffic-free cycle paths. Seasonal ferry crossing (May to October).
Follow the King’s route across the Cromarty Firth on this Pictish discovery trail
Start/finish Inverness/Tain
Distance 56 miles
Surface A roads and minor roads, optional short section on tarmac cycle track
Head down the beautiful Strathglass to the head of Glen Affric before a challenging return to the Highland capital
Start/finish Clachnaharry, Inverness
Distance 19 miles
Surface Minor roads, short tarmac cycle track section, main road crossing
Enjoy quiet country roads from the seaside town of Nairn and visit a 16th century tower house
Start/finish Nairn harbour
Distance 45 miles
Surface Glorious twisty singletrack roads with one major pass and some serious hilly sections to follow
Pit your wits against the epic Bealach na Ba on this challenging tour of the Applecross peninsula
Start/finish Shieldaig
WALKING ROUTES
Distance 4 miles
Surface Good paths and tracks throughout, some steps and steep sections
Explore the community-owned forest at Abriachan with this fine walk to a summit offering panoramic views
Start/finish Abriachan Forest Trust car park
Distance 6.5 miles
Surface Mostly on paths and tracks, some short road sections
Climb high above Loch Ness for wonderful views before following a return path along the shore of this famous loch
Start/finish Inverfarigaig Forest car park, just off the B852 at Inverfarigaig
Distance 5.5 miles
Surface Canal towpath, pavements, woodland trail, minor roads, some steep sections.
An exciting walk along the edge of the Beauly Firth before climbing to an Iron Age fort
Start/finish Muirtown Locks, Canal Road, Inverness
Distance 3.5 miles
Surface Earthy paths, steep in places with steps; minor roads.
Explore the history of the high cliffs above this beautiful old village
Start/finish Shore Street, Cromarty (follow signs to car park through village)
Distance 3.5 miles
Surface Paths and tracks, steep in places
Discover a hidden water feature to rival its better known neighbour
Start/finish Plodda Falls car park (grid ref. NH279238)
Distance 6.5 miles
Surface Paths and vehicle tracks, boggy and wet sections; stretch on minor road; main road crossing
A varied walk exploring the west side of Inverness over a wooded peak
Start/finish Kinmylies shops, off General Booth Road, Inverness
Distance 5.5 miles
Surface Tarmac path, quiet country roads, earthy forest path
See some of Britain’s tallest trees in a historic forest on this circular route west of Inverness
Start/finish Old North Inn, Inchmore
Distance 17 miles
Surface Pathless mountain terrain, peatbog, ridges, river crossings, estate tracks, navigation skills required
Discover a more dramatic side to the Ben on this lengthy mountain trek
Start/finish Eileanach Lodge, Glen Glass, Evanton
Distance 7.5 miles
Surface Forest tracks and paths, some very boggy; short sections on quiet single-track road
Explore this wonderful quiet area on the south side of Loch Ness
Start/finish Easterton, Loch Duntelchaig – grid ref NH632330
Distance 5 miles
Surface Forest tracks and paths, boggy, hill tracks, steep in places
Climb from a beautiful village to a monument in the hills overlooking Glen Affric
Start/finish Tomich Hotel
Distance 6.5 miles
Surface Natural woodland path, steep in places; forest vehicle tracks; stony path; short tarmac section.
Extend the viewpoint walk above Loch Ness to complete this nice circular route
Start/finish Allt na Criche forestry car park, 2 miles north of Fort Augustus off A82
Distance 10 miles
Surface Rough track, narrow cliff-top path, single-track road, vehicle tracks, cows in some open areas.
A wild walk on Skye with excellent views of the Cuillins
Start/finish Layby near Kilmarie on Broadford to Elgol road
Distance 4.5 miles
Surface Forest tracks, woodland paths, boggy in places, steep, pavement
Climb up the Cat’s Back to enjoy a purr-fect stroll in Strathpeffer
Start/finish Blackmuir Wood, Strathpeffer
Distance 5 miles
Surface Well-made paths, forest tracks, boggy in places, some road walking
A trek around Culloden Muir that includes more than just the battlefield
Start/finish Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
Distance 6 miles
Surface Woodland paths; eroded mountain path through heather and rocks, boggy in places; high stile to cross.
Climb to a prominent summit above Loch Ness for a great view of the Great Glen
Start/finish End of minor road from Drumnadrochit to Grotaig
Distance 6 miles
Surface Pavement, canal towpath, earth paths
See the sights on this fl at walk around the city’s landmarks and green spaces
Start/finish Town House, Bridge Street, Inverness
Distance 10 miles
Surface Private tarmac road, vehicle tracks, rough and boggy in places, pathless mountain terrain, navigation skills required
A tough hillwalking outing that rewards with stunning panoramic views and a delightful ridge
Start/finish Inchmore car park, Glen Strathfarrar
Distance 7.5 miles
Surface Earthy paths, tarmac, grassy path, beach
Follow the line of a dismantled railway to reach a popular dolphin-spotting point
Start/finish Station Hotel, Avoch
Distance 4.5 miles
Surface Mostly earthy forest paths, start on tarmac pavement
Climb to a high fort above Loch Ness as you explore two ancient woodlands
Start/finish Visitor Information Centre, Drumnadrochit
Distance 4 miles
Surface Rough, rocky and steep in parts but clearly waymarked path throughout
Explore the national nature reserve as you climb high on Britain’s only waymarked mountain route
Start/finish Car park a few miles west of the Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre off the A832, near Kinlochewe
Distance 5.5 miles
Surface Tarmac, earth and stone vehicle tracks, woodland path
A quiet walk beside a fast flowing river that showcases some magnificent 19th century engineering
Start/finish Beauly railway station
Distance 3 miles
Surface Forestry tracks and woodland paths
Get close to Loch Ness on this easy stroll with spectacular views
Start/finish Dores Inn
Distance 11 miles
Surface Vehicle tracks, paths with possible river crossings
One of the most dramatic low-level walks in the Highlands
Start/finish Car park at head of Loch Affric
Distance 2.5 miles
Surface Woodland paths, quiet minor road
Discover a natural wonder hidden in the woods above a Ross-shire village
Start/finish Evanton
Distance 10.5 miles
Surface Forest trails, tracks and paths, some very boggy; fords; tarmac cycle track; quiet road sections; busy road crossings
Get close to nature on this wonderful walk taking in the forests and roads around Carrbridge – ending with two
spectacular bridges
Start/finish Carrbridge
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