With its lochs, forests, mountains and coastline, it’s no wonder that the striking landscapes and natural beauty of Scotland attracts so many visitors; whether that’s to go hiking, camping, fishing or climbing. Scotland is the most sparsely populated country of the UK so is the perfect place to lose yourself.
One of the best ways to explore this fabulous place is by bike; it allows you to stay off the beaten track and makes the countryside a bit more accessible. Bikepacking is a brilliant option, it’s so easy to pick a route and pitch a tent thanks to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and Scotland has so many old drover’s roads, military tracks, Roman roads, coffin roads and mountain passes to explore. Cycling is faster than just walking and takes you places a car can’t.
We’ve chosen our favourite bikepacking routes in Scotland, for a mix of abilities, so that you can get out and explore this fantastic country for yourself; just you, your bike and your kit.
WHAT IS BIKEPACKING?
Bikepacking is exactly what it sounds like, backpacking but with a bike, using light bags that attach directly to your bike frame/fork/handlebars/seat rather than lugging around a huge backpack or using panniers. You carry your own food and equipment, the aim being to spend a couple of nights sleeping outside – think bivvy bag rather than huge tent – (although one of the many benefits of bikepacking in Scotland is the many bothies at your disposal).
So, let’s get going.
1. THE BADGER DIVIDE
Difficulty level: Medium/Hard
Length: 200 miles
Time: 5 days
Any hike-a-biking? No.
Best time to go: Late Spring/early Summer – before the dreaded midge season – or in September/October
The Badger Divide route takes you across the Scottish Highlands, linking Glasgow and Inverness, taking in some spectacular landscapes along the way. It’s a mix of gravel roads, rocky passes, forest paths and lanes, with a few towns and villages thrown in. Of course, part of the appeal of bikepacking is camping along the way and really appreciating the wildness of your surroundings, but if the Scottish weather isn’t playing nice, there are plenty of bothies, youth hostels and B&Bs on the route.
N.B. What’s with the name? No, this route isn’t teeming with badgers, it’s actually named after a famous bikepacking route in Baja, California, and is a play on words.
2. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK ROUTE
Difficulty level: Medium/Hard
Length: 186 miles
Time: 4 days
Any hike-a-biking? Expect to push your bike on some sections.
Best time to go: Between April and November
Home to a quarter of Scotland’s native forest, as well as four of Scotland’s highest mountains, the Cairngorms is a beautiful place to cycle, although the Cairngorms National Park Loop doesn’t have any extreme mountain passes. You’ll start in Aviemore and follow old drover’s and military roads, taking in some of the Speyside Way through a mix of farmland and woodland.
You may need to push your bike at points and, depending on the weather, it may be boggy in places, but you’ll pass hidden lochs, beautiful Scots Pines, barracks from the Jacobite period and Scotland’s highest highland village – Tomintoul with its famous whisky shop. There are plenty of places to camp on the way, along with other accommodation options if needed.
3. BORDERS THREE ABBEYS LOOP
Difficulty level: Easy
Length: 39 Miles
Time: 2 – 7 days depending on ability and how much you stop en route.
Any hike-a-biking? Expect to push in some sections where cycling isn’t allowed.
Best time to go: Between May and November. It can be popular with horse riders and some tracks can get very muddy in the winter and early spring.
The Borders Three Abbeys Loop takes in three iconic abbeys – Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey and Monteviot House and it’s steeped in history. You’ll be riding in the footsteps of the Romans (along Dere Street, the Roman road that leads to York) and 13th century border raiders, and you’ll be cycling past the house where Mary Queen of Scots stayed.
It’s a circular route and while the climbs aren’t high there are some steep sections, so you’ll need your climbing legs. It’s the shortest route on our list but it can be extended for more experienced riders.
4. ALTERNATIVE NORTH COAST 500
This route is split into 5 sections, click here to view them all.
Difficulty level: Medium
Length: 191 Miles
Time: 4 – 5 days
Any hike-a-biking? Expect to push in some sections.
Best time to go: Some sections are very remote, so it’s best to go between April and November (remember it can still be very cold in April and November, with snow, so pack accordingly).
The North Coast 500 is a circular route that stretches 516 miles, and while that is achievable on a bike if you have the right level of fitness and experience, the Alternative North Coast 500 is a shorter version that can be fitted into a week. It combines bits of the NC500 with some off-road sections that still include dramatic landscapes and wild coastlines without the fear of being taken out by one of the many campervans on the NC500.
You’ll need to prepare your legs as they’ll be taking you up Bealach na Bà, the third highest road in Scotland, in fact some of the route can be quite mountainous, with its Alp-like hairpin bends, but you’ll also pass through the beautiful Glenshieldaig Forest and pass Loch Shieldaig with its pretty shore-side cottages.
There are plenty of hostels and hotels en route if wild camping isn’t your thing, or if you want to alternate, just remember it’s a busy route so you may need to book ahead.
5. THE JOHN MUIR WAY
Difficulty level: Medium
Length: 132 Miles
Time: 4 – 5 days
Any hike-a-biking? Expect to push in some sections.
Best time to go: This is a good route for all year round.
This coast-to-coast trip is a great introduction to bikepacking. The John Muir Way passes through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs giving you a mix of coastal views, villages and even the historic, urban beauty of Edinburgh. It’s a mix of tarmac, tracks and gravel paths that take you past Roman hill forts, the Falkirk Wheel and the Avon aqueduct – the tallest and longest in Scotland.
There are also lots of wildlife-spotting opportunities on this route, especially along the East Lothian coast where you can stop off at the pretty Victorian seaside town of North Berwick, with its seabird centre and views of Bass Rock.
RESOURCES FOR PLANNING A ROUTE
- ScotWays is a charity that promotes public access in Scotland. Its interactive map has information about each route, including the condition of the pathways and local history.
- Scotland’s Great Trails is another good resource, although it doesn’t include any assessments on the state of the paths.
- Sustrans
- Visit Scotland
- Bikepacking Scotland. It also has a Facebook page too.
- Scotroutes has plenty of tips and advice and suggestions for trips.
- Plotaroute is a basic but good way to plan a route.
- Komoot which lets you download someone else’s route as a GPX file and gives you weather updates etc.
- If you prefer a good, old-fashioned book, Markus Stitz’s Bikepacking Scotland book is also invaluable.
THE LEGALITIES
- Cycling on the pavement is illegal unless it’s also a designated cycle path.
- Your bike must have white front/red rear lights at night, as well as a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors.
- You have the right to access most land – except private gardens, farmyards and fields with crops in – but this is conditional on you acting responsibly. If you’re in any doubt about access rights, please ask the landowner.
- Bothies are free to anybody but are very basic so don’t expect much more than a wooden floor and maybe a stove. They also can’t be booked and have limited capacity, so make sure you have an alternative, such as a bivvy bag.
- Unlike the rest of the UK, wild camping is legal in Scotland, but for small groups of people and for up to three nights.
SAFETY FIRST
- Be mindful of the local ‘wildlife’. While they may be quite shy, adders are quite widespread throughout Scotland and a bite can be painful.
- Midges are synonymous with Scotland in the summer, so a good repellent is vital. Ticks are also common, particularly in long grass and on moorland.
- Remember to approach the mighty Highland Coo with caution, particularly if they are with their calves.
- As tempting as it might be to drink from a stream after a hot ride, water needs to be treated before it is safe to drink.
- Don’t rely on one form of navigation, always have a backup. Nothing beats a trusty paper map and compass, so make sure your navigation skills are up to scratch.
- Tell someone your planned route and rough timings.
- Remember to test your kit before you go and perform an M check on your bike.
BE RESPONSIBLE
- Remember to leave the land as you found it and remove all rubbish etc when you leave.
- Be mindful of other cyclists, walkers, riders and wildlife.
- Respect the cultural heritage along your route.
- Take time to learn about the places you’re visiting and interact with the locals.
With 1,620 miles of accessible national cycle network routes in Scotland, there’s definitely a bikepacking route for everyone, whether you like a nice gentle ride with the minimum of inclines, or you push yourself to the limit for the ultimate mountain bike adrenaline rush, the main thing is to get out there and enjoy yourself.
Of course, nobody likes to think of anything going wrong on a trip, but cycle insurance can help protect against those unexpected twists and turns; it’s not just about theft and damage, what if you have an accident? Or damage some of your accessories? With three standard policy levels to choose from, that you can enhance with optional extras, you should find the right policy for you and your bike. Take a look at the website, or give us a call, and get a free, no-strings quote today.
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