Photo: Andreas Haslinger ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Lonely roads at the edge of the map.
The North Coast 500 closes 516 miles around the top of Scotland from Inverness Castle: the Bealach na Bà at 626 m with gradients of up to 20 per cent, the single-track roads of Wester Ross, the cliffs of Duncansby Head and the beaches of Sutherland. A week of riding on the left, with whisky and live music in the pubs. A tour for a relaxed style where stopping matters more than arriving.
- Bealach na Bà, Britain’s steepest road climb
- The single-track road from Torridon to Gairloch
- Durness, Smoo Cave and Cape Wrath
- John o’ Groats and the Duncansby stacks
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 110 km, riding on the left
Inverness and Loch Ness
We meet in Inverness and collect the bikes. A first ride on the left: a loop of Loch Ness via Drumnadrochit and Foyers, about 110 km on wide roads.
Overnight: Hotel in Inverness - DAY 2 · 200 km, pass at 626 m
Bealach na Bà and Applecross
West via Garve and Achnasheen to Lochcarron, then the Bealach na Bà: 9 km of single-track climb with hairpins up to 626 m and the descent to Applecross. Then the coast road to Shieldaig and Torridon. About 200 km.
Overnight: Inn in Torridon - DAY 3 · 180 km, the west coast
Gairloch and Ullapool
Along Loch Maree to Gairloch, Inverewe Gardens and Gruinard bridge, then Loch Broom and the fishing port of Ullapool. About 180 km, much of it single-track.
Overnight: Hotel in Ullapool - DAY 4 · 190 km, the Drumbeg road
Assynt and Durness
Past Stac Pollaidh and Lochinver on the twisting Drumbeg road, Ardvreck Castle, Kinlochbervie and Sango beach at Durness. About 190 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Durness - DAY 5 · 170 km, the far north
The north coast to John o’ Groats
Smoo Cave, Loch Eriboll, Tongue and Bettyhill, then Thurso and Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain. The day ends at John o’ Groats by the Duncansby stacks. About 170 km.
Overnight: Hotel in John o’ Groats - DAY 6 · 210 km, bikes returned
The east coast and the distilleries
Wick, Dunbeath, Dunrobin Castle and Dornoch, a distillery visit at Tain and the A9 back to Inverness. Bikes returned in the evening. About 210 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Inverness - DAY 7 · Departure
Departure from Inverness
Breakfast and departures. Inverness airport is 15 minutes away and the train to Edinburgh takes three and a half hours.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Triumph Tiger 900 or BMW F 900 XR hire with panniers
6 nights in hotels and B&Bs with a Scottish breakfast
Lead rider and GPS tracks
Motorcycle insurance
A distillery visit in Wick or Tain
Two group dinners
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel
Lunches and remaining dinners
Single supplement
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence and at least 5,000 km. The main novelty for most riders is left-hand traffic and single-track roads with passing places; Ivan covers their etiquette in advance and the first day runs on wider roads.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.