As I write this article I just got back a from a Scotland bike tour where I cycled all up the east coast of the Uk into Scotland. And wow it was stunning. The natural beauty of this place is just remarkable. Lets just say it is worth a visit if you wish to do some bikepacking.
I am a little regretful that I unfortunately didn’t get the chance to go on any bikepacking trails or epic wilderness type of rides. However part of my journey was through some of the North Coast 500 route that I will talk a bout later. But Scotland is on my list of places to return to and explore in more detail.
I have been getting messages from my followers on youtube suggesting that I should check out certain bikepacking and cycling routes. And the more I look into it the more i realised I missed out. But anyway, after doing some research of the best bikepacking routes in Scotland I have gathered a comprehensive list.
Take it as you will a bucket list for bikepackers as the best places to ride in Scotland. I wish someone had compiled this list before I jet off to the UK. Then I would have not have missed out that much. But I hope that this list serves you well and you get the chance to explore some of the most amazing parts of Scotland by bike.
So the routes? that is was you came here for, right? Well the quick list is as follows. Then we will get into the details. The routes in this list are mostly suitable for bikepacking which entails off-road exploration. There is one route that is a a very scenic driving route which is stunning for cycling too. Most of the routes are generally longer in distance, requiring overnight, to a fews days at least for exploration. Great routes for a weekend getaway from the demands of the week.
- The Capital Trail
- The Central Belter
- Wild about Argyll Trail
- The Reiver Raid
- The West Island Trail
- The West Highland Rover
- Highland Trail 550
- Machair Coast (includes some Bike-rafting)
- The Caledonia Way (Route 78)
- The Cairngorms Loop
- North Coast 500
The Capital Trail
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent | GPX File Download |
| 148 miles / 238 Km | 3+ | 16,432 foot / 5,008 M | Find Here |
Okay so in no particular order first on our list of epic bikepacking routes in Scotland is The Capital Trail. Located in Scotland’s South this trial is one of the best the South has too offer. Definitely a challenge but that is why it is one the list. Consisting of single tracks, Land Rover tracks, forest roads, quite country lanes, cycle paths and beautiful beaches. The route starts and finishes at The Tide Cafe on Portobello Beach. And is a total of 148 miles or 238 Km. Allowing you to small it all out in one day or go at a leisurely pace and take a 3 or more days if you like. Near the end you will get some views of Edinburgh that are worth experiencing.
So the route doesn’t venture to far from the city. It is designed to be ridden clockwise in two days with a overnight camp, but like I said he has to race? As far a sleeping goes, there are heaps of opportunities to sleep under the stars, in a bothy and/or in bunkhouses, B&Bs and hotels, whatever you fancy!
Just a word of warning about the weather, as I experienced numerous times in Scotland first hand. It can change in a instant. Even in the summer, you should expect cold lashing rain and high winds. So just make sure you are prepared and pack accordingly.
The Central Belter
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent | GPX File Download |
| 746 miles / 1,200 Km | 8+ | 78,740 foot / 24,000 M | Central Belter 1 Central Belter 2 |
If you are looking for something that is a bit more. This trail might be the one. It includes most of the route included in the previous trail however this one is much bigger. It starts at Portobello Beach, including most of The Capital Trail, in addition it extends into East Lothian to feature the Herring Road.
The Central Belter is Scotland’s longest off-road bikepacking trail. Consisting of 1200+km of epic bikepacking trails! The trail is the ultimate Scotland Bikepacking route designed by Capital Trail creator and round the world cyclist Markus Stitz. It includes; urban riding, fantastic cafes, bike shops, architecture and heaps of remoteness.
The terrain is about 80% off-road, 20% on-road and 20% of the off-road stuff is single-track. It will also include some hike a bike sections too. This is not for everyone it is a true bikepacking challenge. The whole route requires some bikepakcing experience, and in the winter time it is out of limits for most, unless people are super fit and can handle the Scottish weather well.
Wild about Argyll Trail
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent | GPX File Download |
| 655 km (407 miles) | 4 to 5+ | 13,827 m (45,364 feet) | Section 1 – Helensburgh to Portavadie Section 2 – Tarbert to Oban Section 3 – Lismore Section 4 – Port Appin to Helensburgh |
This is Scotlands first long distance bikepacking trial. The Argyll Trail provides some wonderful riding on, gravel tracks, forest roads, single-trail, quiet roads and cycle paths.
One of the great things about Scotland and this route too is the availability of public transport you can get transported to different sections of the route and if you are not feeling up to it you can get a lift back.
The trail can ridden all year round, but the best times are from April to October. In winter and wet weather do take care as the trail can be boggy and muddy. Please note that some ferries operate with reduced services during autumn/winter months.
Some highlights
- Ardgartan Peninsula’s dramatic landscape
- Loch Eck and Puck’s Glen
- The rugged landscapes and steep coastal roads in East Kintyre
- The views from the highest point at Allt Dearg Community Wind Farm and the descent to Achahoish
- Glen Nant National Nature Reserve, the forest roads around Loch Awe and Avich Falls
The Reiver Raid
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent | GPX File Download |
| 106 miles or 171 KM | 2+ | 9,531 ft or 2905 M | Find it Here |
The Reiver Raid is a shorter bikepacking trip compared to some others in this list, making it great for a 2 to 2.5 day weekend getaway or a overnighter, if you really want to push it.
Ideal for people would have good bikepacking and mountain bike experience. If you are just getting into bikepacking and this is one of your first rides, please consider taking more time, or try cutting across the quiet country roads. the trail is not recommended for riding in wet conditions, and fat tyres are recommended.
For resupply and more activities along the route you will find the following options:
- Melrose (shops, cafes, restaurants) 6.8 km
- Bisley at Braidwood (restaurant, clay pigeon shooting) 25.8 km
- Ancrum (pub, shop) 45.7 km
- Riddell Estate (accommodation – here) 86.2 km
- Lilliesleaf (pub, cafe, restaurant) 88.3 km
- Whitmuir Farm (accommodation) 95 km (ca. 2 km off the route)
- Selkirk (shops, accommodation) 99.8/162.3km
- New Woll Estate (golf, restaurant, accommodation) 114 km
- Ettrickbridge (pub, accommodation) 144 km
- Abbotsford (restaurant, cafe, accommodation) 171.5 km
The West Island Trail
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent | GPX File Download |
| 333 km or 207 Miles | 4 | 22,900 ft or 6980 M | Find it Here |
The west island Trail is a Bikepacking route designed to start and end in at the Oban Youth Hostel. The trail is in partnership with the the Scottish Youth Hostel Association, SYHA.
It is a great route if you want to take it easy and stay at the hostels along the way, who doesn’t like the sound of a nice warm shower? The trail is best ridden in four days it gives you the unique opportunity to enjoy the wilderness and beauty of the West Coast and Islands of Scotland.
If you want to taste the local food, it might be a good choice for a bikepacking route. As all four hostels in Oban, Lochranza, Port Charlotte and Tobermory provide affordable accommodation and have pubs and restaurants to eat situated nearby to sample the local cuisine, and have secure shelters and drying rooms.
Navigation is tricky on some of the remote sections of the route and GPS is advised. It is best for intermediate to experienced cyclists that require good bike handling skills.
it is a bit of a juggling act with getting the timing right with the ferry times. So make sure you look further into that before heading off. For Port Askaig to Oban crossing, the ferry only runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The route is divided into ten different sections: Sections 1 & 2 for day one, sections 3 – 5 for day two, sections 6 – 8 for day three and sections 9 & 10 for day four. There’s an alternative route for both sections 5 and 9 for less experienced riders and cross bikes. You can also download the seperate parts of the route here.
The West Highland Rover
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent | GPX File Download |
| 246 Miles or 396 Km | 5 | 25,561 ft or 7791 M | Find it Here |
A 5 day fun packed bikepacking route, with the Western Highlands as a backdrop. Requires train travel. The Scotrail have Highland Rover, a ticket that gives you four days travel out of eight consecutive days.
A great journey combining a scenic train journey with even more scenic cycling. Costing £81.50, while bikes travel free. It is important to remember to book ahead whenever you can, as spaces on trains can be limited. The route is best suite for intermediate bikepackers, and includes some remote sections which you will need to be prepared for.
Highland Trail 550
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent | GPX File Download |
| 550 Miles or 885 Km | 14 | 52,500 ft or 16,002 M | Find it Here |
The Highland Trail 550 is a mountain bike time-trail route through the Scottish Highlands. It was designed to be raced but if that is not your thing you can still go exploring at your own pace.
A epic 2 week long bikepacking adventure, which is worth flying from all over the world to spend exploring the Scottish Highlands. Again be prepared like you should for longer bikepacking trips like this, insure to pack correctly for the potential wet weather of that Scotland so often offers.
If you want to read more check out the Highland Trail 550 site here.
Machair Coast (includes some Bike-rafting)
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent |
| 72 Mi. (116 KM) | 5 | 2,350 ft (716 M) |
Here is one for all the bike rafters out there! This is not me! But my dream! Going to be getting a packraft soon and explore my local rivers here in Victoria, Australia. But for now I get to wanderlust over this epic bikepacking + packraft route, how awesome?
Camping on the river bed, can it get any better this is what I love about the idea of bikerafting, adding the two transportation methods together equals amazingness! If you want more information on this route check out Bikepacking.com for the write up.
The Caledonia Way (Route 78)
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent |
| 234.1 miles or 376.7 Km | 4+ | 14,729 ft or 4489 M |
Route 78, also known as The Caledonia Way, is a stunning 234-mile long-distance bike route through Scotland’s breathtaking countryside. You’ll pass lochs and mountains before ending in the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness. A top choice for adventurous cyclists looking for a challenge.
The Caledonia Way runs from Campbeltown to Inverness, along 234 miles of spectacular scenery. You begin at Campbeltown, then follow the Kintyre Peninsula and the Great Glen Way. Along your way to Inverness, the beautiful capital of the Highlands, you’ll pass many Scottish landmarks and historical sites, including Loch Ness and Ben Nevis.
Route 78 offers a variety of cycling, from challenging on-road hills to lengthy sections of traffic-free path through the magnificent terrain of the west coast of Scotland.
More information is available here at Sustrans.org
The Cairngorms Loop
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent |
| 181 Mi. (291 KM) | 4+ | 11,325 ft (3,452 M) |
The Cairngorms Loop trail circumnavigates one of the most stunning areas in the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms National Park. Dirt roads and singletracks climb valleys and twist their way back down through ancient Caledonian Forest. This route takes riders back to the roots of mountain biking and some sections will challenge even the experienced bikepacker.
Read more over at Bikepacking.com
North Coast 500
| Distance | Days | Total Ascent |
| 503.7 Miles or 811 Km | 9+ | 30,443 ft or 9279 M |
Mostly road riding it is one of Scotlands best scenic drives, but also great for a on road bikepacking trip.
The NC500 starts in the northern city of Inverness, weaves along the west coast to Applecross and then northwards towards the towns of Torridon and Ullapool. From there, you’ll venture to some of the most northerly coastal points in Scotland, passing by Caithness and John o’ Groats before heading south again through Dingwall and finally back to Inverness.
If you want more information visit the North Coast 550 Visit Scotland page.
Resources for planning your Scottish adventures
Scotrail : https://www.scotrail.co.uk
Bikepacking Scotland : http://bikepackingscotland.com
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