A guidebook to the 850km (528 mile) NC500 cycle route around northern Scotland. This circular tour starting and finishing in Inverness and passing through Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross and the Black Isle is suitable for all types of bikes, and cyclists with a good level of fitness. The NC500 can be cycled in 2 weeks.

• Presented in 16 stages between 24 and 89km (15-55 miles)
• Alternate routes are given to avoid the steep ascent of Bealach na Bà or the undulating Assynt peninsula
• The busy A9 east coast road is avoided, but is described as an alternative route
• Route passes Ullapool, Thurso and Tain
• 1:150,000 mapping and profiles are included for each route
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on accommodation, refreshments and facilities along the route

Map key
Overview map
Route summary table
Suggested schedules

Introduction
Background
The route
Natural environment
Preparation
Getting there and back
Navigation and information
Accommodation
Food and drink
Amenities and services
What to take
Safety and emergencies
About this guide

The route
Stage 1    Inverness to Garve
Stage 2    Garve to Lochcarron
Stage 3    Lochcarron to Shieldaig (direct route)
Stage 3A    Lochcarron to Shieldaig (via Applecross)
Stage 4    Shieldaig to Gairloch
Stage 5    Gairloch to Ullapool
Stage 6    Ullapool to Lochinver
Stage 7    Lochinver to Kylesku
Stage 8    Kylesku to Durness
Stage 9    Durness to Tongue
Stage 10    Tongue to Melvich
Stage 11    Melvich to John o' Groats (coastal route)
Stage 12    John o' Groats to Melvich (inland route)
Stage 13    Melvich to Altnaharra
Stage 14    Altnaharra to Tain
Stage 12A    John o' Groats to Lybster
Stage 13A    Lybster to Brora
Stage 14A    Brora to Tain
Stage 15    Tain to Nigg (for Cromarty ferry)
Stage 16    Cromarty to Inverness
Stage 15A    Tain to Dingwall
Stage 16A    Dingwall to Inverness

Appendix A    Facilities summary table
Appendix B    Tourist information
Appendix C    Hostels and bunkhouses
Appendix D    Campsites
Appendix E    Cycle shops and cycle hire
Appendix F    Munros near route (mountains over 914m)
Appendix G    Distilleries en route
Appendix H    Useful contacts

Seasons

Best cycled between May and September

Centres

A circular ride starting and ending in the highland capital Inverness. Small towns are passed at Ullapool, Thurso and Tain

Difficulty

A challenging cycle route due to frequent undulations, with ascent totalling nearly 8000m. Climbs vary from steady climbs over low mountain passes to short steep hills. The road surface is asphalt throughout, presenting no problem. Suitable for all types of bike with a wide range of gears and appropriate tyres. Lights and high-vis jackets essential due to the possibility of misty conditions on narrow roads.

Must See

The beautiful and varied landscapes of the far north of Scotland. Major mountains are passed at Torridon, An Teallach and in Assynt. The route reaches both Durness and John o' Groats, near to the northwestern and northeastern extremities of Scotland.

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