Scottish Highlands 7-Day Gentle

Scottish Highlands
7-Day Gentle

(12 Reviews)

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Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation351 m (1180 feet)
  • Daily Distance32 km (20 miles)
  • Total Distance159 kms (100 miles)
  • StartOban, Scotland
  • FinishFort Augustus, Scotland
  • Local AirportsEdinburgh or Glasgow
  • Tour SeasonApr 1 - Sept 31
  • Lakes & MountainsYes
  • Electric BikeYes
  • Leisure BikingYes

Overview

  • Tour DifficultyGentle
  • Tour Duration7 Days / 6 Nights
  • Daily Saddle Time2-4 Hours
  • Daily Elevation351 m (1180 feet)
  • Daily Distance32 km (20 miles)
  • Total Distance159 kms (100 miles)
  • StartOban, Scotland
  • FinishFort Augustus, Scotland

Highlights

  • Oban: A charming coastal town in Scotland, known as the "Gateway to the Isles," offering stunning views and fresh seafood.
  • Fort William: Scotland's "Outdoor" capital, relish in the towering beauty of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak.
  • Neptune's Staircase: A series of eight interconnected canal locks, forming the longest staircase lock in Britain.
  • Caledonian Canal: A 100 km (60 mile) man made waterway connecting Scotland from East to West.
  • Loch Ness: Britain's largest and most impressive lake. Home to the infamous Loch Ness Monster, locally know as "Nessie".

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Oban

Your journey begins in the charming town of Oban, where the fresh sea breeze fills the air. Stroll along the waterfront, savoring the scent of fresh seafood and the sight of boats bobbing in the harbor. Marvel at McCaig’s Tower, perched above the town, offering breathtaking views of the isles. Wander through local shops, savoring a warm cup of tea as you prepare for the adventure ahead. The lively character of Oban—with its colorful cottages and vibrant culture—will set the perfect tone for your journey.

Day 2: Lismore Island Loop

Distance: 29 kms (18 miles) / Elevation Gain: 345 m (1160 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-3.5 hours

Today you embark on a ferry to Lismore, an idyllic island where rolling green hills meet the sea. You’ll cycle through tranquil landscapes, passing ancient ruins, vibrant wildflowers, and charming farmhouses. The island’s quiet lanes invite you to slow down, take in the view, and enjoy the peacefulness of the surroundings. Stop by the Lismore Heritage Centre to learn about the island’s history before heading back to Oban by ferry, the sun setting over the distant mountains.

Day 3: Oban - Appin

Distance: 31 kms (19 miles) / Elevation Gain: 416 m (1400 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Departing Oban, you’ll follow the sweeping coastline northwards, with views of shimmering waters beside you. Your route takes you through Glen Lonan, a beautiful valley of open fields dotted with Highland cattle. Approaching Appin, the iconic Castle Stalker emerges dramatically, standing solitary on its tidal islet. Pause to admire the serene beauty of this scene, a perfect marriage of rugged landscape and timeless history. End your day with a cozy stay in Appin, surrounded by tranquil views.

Day 4: Appin - Fort William

Distance: 47 kms (29 miles) / Elevation Gain: 547 m (1840 feet) / Saddle Time: 2.5-4.5 hours

Set out from Appin, tracing the winding cycle paths towards Fort William. Your route follows the shoreline of Loch Linnhe, with dramatic Highland scenery enveloping you on all sides. Cross the spectacular Ballachulish Bridge, where mountains plunge into deep lochs, creating scenes that are both majestic and humbling. As you approach Fort William, the imposing sight of Ben Nevis looms into view, inviting you to marvel at Scotland’s highest peak as you settle into this vibrant Highland town.

Day 5: Fort William - South Laggan

Distance: 33 kms (20 miles) / Elevation Gain: 336 m (1130 feet) / Saddle Time: 2-4 hours

Today’s ride takes you along the Caledonian Canal, a peaceful route flanked by towering peaks and mirrored waters. Follow the Great Glen Way, a cycle path that meanders along canal towpaths and loch shores, passing Neptune’s Staircase—an impressive series of locks. Enjoy the tranquility of the canal and the sense of adventure as you push onwards to South Laggan. The natural beauty of Loch Lochy accompanies you, with forests and hills creating a backdrop of utter serenity.

Day 6: South Laggan - Fort Augustus

Distance: 19 kms (12 miles) / Elevation Gain: 110 m (370 feet) / Saddle Time: 1-3 hours

Your journey continues along the Great Glen, with sweeping views of Loch Oich’s sparkling waters. The path leads you through lush woodland and open stretches, each turn offering a new perspective of the majestic Highlands. Arriving in Fort Augustus, you’ll be greeted by the impressive sight of boats navigating the locks of the Caledonian Canal. Relax in this picturesque village, taking in the sights along the canal and the stunning views of Loch Ness, with a well-earned sense of accomplishment.

Day 7: Depart from Fort Augustus

Spend your final day exploring Fort Augustus, a village that embodies the charm of the Highlands. Wander along the canal locks, watch boats ease their way between lochs, and perhaps even take a boat tour onto Loch Ness—keeping an eye out for its legendary resident. Visit the quaint shops or simply sit by the water, reflecting on the journey you’ve taken through these magnificent landscapes. As you depart, the beauty and tranquility of the Highlands will surely stay with you, calling you back again one day.

Map

Accommodation

All our accommodation selections are in-house reviewed. We partner with family-owned, charming guesthouses and hotels where you can relax and recharge. Below are some sample accommodations on our Scottish Highlands tours. Depending on availability, the accommodation you stay at may vary but will always be of a similar standard.

Oban: Killorn Guest House

Killorn is a beautiful 5 bedroom townhouse located within the heart of the town of Oban.  It enjoys stunning views over Oban bay, overlooking the island of Kerrera and the hills of Mull.  Killorn is ideally situated just a 5 minute walk from Oban town centre and just moments from major ferry, train and bus links. Killorn is the perfect base for exploring the town centre, beautiful islands and surrounding areas.

Fort William: Torlinnhe Guesthouse

Welcome to Torlinnhe Guest House, offering exceptional hospitality and luxury value accommodation in Fort William ‘The Outdoor Capital of the UK’, on the West Coast of the Scottish Highlands.
Situated 1 mile South of Fort William city centre ( 20 min walk or 5 min by car) this award-winning guest house has beautiful views over Loch Linnhe and the Ardgour peninsula.
The guesthouse provides 8 stylish and modern en-suite rooms and two luxury lodges.
All individually finished and designed with you in mind.

Fort Augustus: White House B&B

Welcome to The White House, your Fort Augustus “home away from home.” The White House aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year.

The White House puts the best of Fort Augustus at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.

FAQ

What Is the cycle like?

This tour is in our Gentle difficulty grading. Consisting of a blend of cycle lanes, quiet country roads and forest trails. The mid stages of the tour have a bit more elevation gain, but the final stages give you an opportunity to recover.

We offer hard-tail mountain bikes, gravel bikes and if you are having doubts about your fitness levels, we also offer electric mountain bikes on this tour.

Is this tour for me?

This tour is for those that appreciate scenery above all else. The days are also short so you are under no time pressure and can go completely at your own pace.

The region can be at points very remote, so if you enjoy feeling like it’s just you brushing with unspoiled nature and wildlife, this tour will be perfect for you.

Tour includes

  • 6 nights accommodation in charming guesthouses and hotels.
  • A hearty breakfast each morning
  • Luggage transfers between accommodations
  • Detailed itinerary, GPX files and printable maps of your route
  • Tips on local attractions, history & evening meals
  • On call support before and during your tour

Tour excludes

  • Flights and transfers to and from the trail heads
  • Lunches & Dinners
  • Insurance
  • Bike rental (Selected on checkout)

The Bikes

You have a choice of bringing your own bike or renting your tour bike through us during booking. For the Scottish Highlands, the bikes available are robust electric or manual mountain bikes and manual gravel bikes. If an electric bike is chosen, it will bring the daily saddle time down by approximately 1 hour.

We only partner with the best bike suppliers for all our destinations so you’ll be guaranteed well maintained, premium brand bikes such as Cube, Trek or KTM.

All bike rentals come with helmet, lock and repair kit. A network of mechanics are on call in case of any mechanical issues faced while on tour.

What Is The Climate Like?

We offer tours in Scotland from April – September. At the start of the tour season, the average temperatures in Inverness are approximately 8 °C (45 °F). This is the quietest times of the season to miss queues at landmarks and also the driest time of the year. Temperatures peak at 18 °C (64 °F) in July & August. Temperatures as high as 25 °C (77 °F) have been recorded, but these are quite rare. Please see image below for reference.

As you will be cycling through a glen, you’ll encounter micro climates where the weather can suddenly shift. It is recommended to have emergency wet gear packed at all times while riding. Precipitation in this region is typically quite frequent but light in nature.

Is The Tour Easy To Navigate?

We include detailed navigation instructions and GPX files for your ride. Our navigation app is easy to use and we give a detailed instructional video on how to use it. If you are having any difficulty, we are on call at all times to assist you.

There is some marked signage on the routes to keep you on course, as well as many fellow bikers and hikers on the trails to steer you in the right direction.

What If There Is An Issue On Tour?

Included in your tour, is 24/7 message and video support. If you have an issue with navigation, bike breakdown, accommodation, medical, etc, we are at the touch of a button away at all times.

We have an extensive network of suppliers along the route, who will resolve the problem as swiftly as possible.

More FAQ

If you haven’t found the answer you’re looking for above, visit our general FAQ page for more information or simply reach out to us with the “Ask A Question” button on the side.

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Price

Scottish Highlands 7-Day Gentle

From$1,028
(12 Reviews)
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Tour Includes


3* or 4* Accommodation Throughout

Breakfast Each Morning

Luggage Transfer

Itinerary & Navigation Documentation

Tips & Local Insights

24-Hour Support

From$1,028
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