The Hebrides offer some of the most memorable cycling in the British Isles, with quiet island roads, dramatic Atlantic coastlines, white sand beaches and a landscape shaped by wind, water and ancient culture. Each island has its own character, and island hopping by ferry adds an adventure that no mainland route can match.

This comprehensive guidebook covers the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Firth of Clyde, with 37 day rides and 22 linking routes that can be combined into tours ranging from a long weekend to a two-week island-hopping adventure. Designed for both dedicated cycle tourers and holidaymakers looking for great rides during a stay, it suits any ability, time frame or ambition.

• The 37 day rides range from 19 to 60km and cover over 20 islands across six regions: Clyde and Kintyre; Colonsay, Islay and Jura; Mull, Coll and Tiree; Skye and Raasay; Barra and the Uists; and Harris and Lewis
• The 22 linking routes connect the day rides into longer touring itineraries ranging from 106 to 973km, with suggested tours for a long weekend, a week and a two-week adventure covering the full region
• The Hebridean Way is covered in full, with guidance on riding it end-to-end or adapting it to suit your time, ability and ferry connections
• Route descriptions are supported by 1:250,000 mapping and elevation profiles, with ferry schedules and timings, difficulty grades and a facilities guide covering accommodation, ferry ports and transport connections
• GPX files are available to download for navigation whilst exploring the Hebrides 
• A comprehensive introduction covers terrain, wildlife, history and culture, getting there and around, preparing your bike, what to pack and how to plan your trip

Island hopping by bike through the Hebrides is one of cycling's great adventures. This guidebook contains all the information you need to make it happen. 

Cycling in the Hebrides - Quick Facts

Day rides: 37 circular or out-and-back day rides 
Day ride distance range: 19 to 60km (12 to 37 miles) 
Linking routes: 22 
Touring itinerary range: 106 to 973km (66 to 605 miles) 
Islands covered: Arran, Great Cumbrae, Bute, Gigha, Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Mull, Kerrera, Lismore, Slate Islands, Iona, Coll, Tiree, Skye, Raasay, Barra, Vatersay, South Uist, North Uist, Harris, Lewis 
Total islands: Over 20 
Key centres: Gourock, Brodick, Rothesay, Bowmore, Port Ellen, Craighouse, Craignure, Tobermory, Broadford, Portree, Uig, Castlebay, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Tarbert, Stornoway 
Long-distance routes: The Hebridean Way is included in full 
Mapping: 1:250,000 maps included throughout 
Difficulty: Routes graded throughout; day rides from easy; touring itineraries from long weekend to two-week adventures 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download 
Ferry information: Ferry schedules and timings are included throughout 
Best season: April to October

Author Highlight

“Despite proximity to each other, many of the islands have an atmosphere distinctly their own. Sometimes this is due to topology, fertility and industry, sometimes to the presence of a safe deep water harbour as a base for fishing, and occasionally the tenure of a past or present owner. As a result, neighbouring islands such as Islay, Jura and Colonsay can all seem very different.”

- Richard Barrett, author of Cycling in the Hebrides 

Map key 
Overview map of The Hebridean Way 

Introduction 
Terrain 
Wildlife and plants 
History and culture 
Getting there 
Getting around 
The weather and when to go 
Where to stay 
Preparing your bike 
Preparing yourself 
Planning your trip 
What and how to pack 
Riding comfortably 
Riding in a group 
Using this guide  
Maps and itineraries 

1 Clyde and Kintyre 
Introduction 
Link Routes
Route 1A Gourock to Ardrossan 
Route 1B Dunoon to Portavadie 
Route 1C Auchenbreck to Rothesay  
Route 1D Brodick to Lochranza 
Route 1E Claonaig to Tayinloan  
Route 1F Kennacraig to Oban 
Day Routes
Route 1.1 Circuit of south Arran 
Route 1.2 Circuit of north Arran 
Route 1.3 Circuit of Great Cumbrae 
Route 1.4 Circuit of Bute 
Route 1.5 Gigha 
2 Colonsay, Islay and Jura 
Introduction 
Link Routes
Route 2A Port Ellen to Port Askaig 
Day Routes
Route 2.1 South coast of Islay 
Route 2.2 Circuit of northwest Islay from Bridgend  
Route 2.3 Circuit of central Islay from Bowmore 
Route 2.4 Circuit of southwest Islay (The Rhinns) 
Route 2.5 Craighouse and back from Feolin Ferry 
Route 2.6 Circuit of Colonsay 
3 Mull, Coll and Tiree 
Introduction 
Link Routes
Route 3A Craignure to Tobermory 
Route 3B Lochaline to Salen  
Route 3C Salen to Kilchoan 
Route 3D Salen to Mallaig 
Day Routes
Route 3.1 Slate Islands 
Route 3.2 Kerrera 
Route 3.3 Circuit across Lismore from Oban 
Route 3.4 Circuit of central Mull 
Route 3.5 Circuit of northern Mull 
Route 3.6 Out to Iona 
Route 3.7 Coll 
Route 3.8 Circuit of west Tiree 
Route 3.9 Fishbone ride in east Tiree 
4 Skye and Raasay 
Introduction 
Link Routes
Route 4A Ullapool to Armadale  
Route 4B Stromeferry to Uig 
Day Routes
Route 4.1 Across the Sleat Peninsula from Armadale 
Route 4.2 Elgol and back from Broadford 
Route 4.3 A three-legged ride from Carbost 
Route 4.4 Around the Duirinish Peninsula 
Route 4.5 Circuit of the Trotternish Peninsula 
Route 4.6 Circuit of central Skye 
Route 4.7 Skye Bridge/Glenelg circuit from Kyle of Lochalsh 
Route 4.8 Raasay  
5 Barra and the Uists 
Introduction/Planning The Hebridean Way 
Link Routes
Route 5A Castlebay to Lochboisdale (Hebridean Way to Dalabrog) 
Route 5B Dalabrog to Clachan (Hebridean Way) 
Route 5C Clachan to Berneray  
Route 5D Clachan to Berneray Junction (Hebridean Way) 
Day Routes
Route 5.1 Circuit of Barra and Vatersay 
Route 5.2 South Uist machair from Tobha Mor 
Route 5.3 Circuit of North Uist 
6 Harris and Lewis 
Introduction 
Link Routes
Route 6A Leverburgh to Tarbert (west) (Hebridean Way) 
Route 6B Leverburgh to Tarbert (east) 
Route 6C Tarbert to Stornoway (Hebridean Way to Liurbost) 
Route 6D Liurbost to Barabhas (Hebridean Way) 
Route 6E Stornoway to Butt of Lewis (Hebridean Way from Barabhas) 
Day Routes
Route 6.1 Circuit of south Harris 
Route 6.2 Huisinis from Tarbert 
Route 6.3 Scalpay from Tarbert 
Route 6.4 Callanish by the Pentland Road 
Route 6.5 West Lewis from Gearraidh na h’Aibhne  
Route 6.6 The Bridge to Nowhere from Stornoway

Appendix A Link route summary table 
Appendix B Day route summary table 
Appendix C Ferry routes 
Appendix D Suggested tours 
Appendix E Day trips to islands 
Appendix F Cycle shops and cycle hire 
Appendix G Hostels 
Appendix H Tourist information 
Appendix I Further reading 
 

Seasons

The best time to go touring in the Hebrides is between April and October, when the days are longer and the weather is generally at its best. However, even during these months, wet and blustery days are inevitable — so it’s important to be prepared for all conditions.

Centres

The guidebook covers a wide range of islands and regions, including Clyde and Kintyre; Colonsay, Islay and Jura; Mull, Coll and Tiree; Skye and Raasay; Barra and the Uists; and Harris and Lewis.

Difficulty

Catering not just for those on cycle tours but also for holidaymakers looking to enjoy a few rides during their stay, this guidebook features routes ranging from a gentle 12-mile (19km) day ride to an extensive 600-mile (970km) tour.

Must See

This guidebook covers routes throughout the Inner and Outer Hebridean islands, with options suitable for all abilities and levels of fitness. Numerous itineraries are possible, making it easy to tailor your journey. Island hopping in these remote isles is a magical experience — the guidebook explores over 20 islands, each with its own fascinating history, unique character and rich wildlife.

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