Cycling Land's End to John o' Groats

Discover the iconic LEJOG journey as you cycle the length of Great Britain, from Land’s End, the wild tip of Cornwall, to the windswept cliffs of John o’ Groats in Scotland’s far north. Covering 1000 miles (1600km) and over 14,000m of ascent, this legendary route is a rite of passage for cyclists, threading together the country’s most diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Designed for riders with reasonable fitness, LEJOG is accessible to anyone with determination, a love of adventure, and a willingness to take on a two-week challenge. The meticulously crafted Cicerone guidebook presents a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding ‘optimal’ route that links traffic-free paths and quiet roads, steering clear of busy trunk roads and city centres while keeping the journey direct and achievable.

• The guidebook divides the route into 14 stages with alternative options through Central Scotland via Glasgow and the Trossachs (1046 miles/1675km) for those seeking a longer adventure.
• Flexible schedules allow you to tailor your ride to the route’s 14 stages, whether you’re aiming for a brisk 10-day epic or a more leisurely exploration. Sample bustling harbourside at Fowey or the market-town charm of Aviemore; each stage offers a unique slice of Britain’s landscapes and local character.
• Each stage begins and ends at locations offering a range of accommodation, including Land’s End, Clevedon, Garstang, Penrith, and Aviemore, as well as local services, with practical information on bike repairs, refreshments, and transport connections throughout.
• Clear, linear maps at a 1:200,000 scale accompany detailed route descriptions, elevation profiles, and essential information for every stage. Downloadable GPX tracks are provided for both LEJOG and JOGLE riders, supporting digital navigation and adaptation to your personal itinerary.
• Additional features include expert guidance on pre-trip training, invaluable load-lightening tips, and comprehensive logistics for getting you and your bike to the start at Land’s End and home from the finish at John o’ Groats.
• Key highlights along the way include the wild beauty of Dartmoor, the lush Somerset Levels, the historic Severn Valley, the majestic Lake District, the untamed Cairngorms, and the haunting Flow Country.

Experience the challenge, camaraderie, and unforgettable scenery of Britain’s greatest cycling adventure. The definitive Cicerone guide puts it all at your fingertips.

Seasons

Best ridden between March and October when the weather is better and the days are longer with late summer being preferred for those needing time to build their fitness.

Centres

Land's End, Penzance, Fowey, Crediton, Clevedon, Worcester, Nantwich, Garstang, Penrith, Moffat, South Queensferry, Pitlochry, Aviemore, Inverness, Lairg, Tongue, John o' Groats

Difficulty

Riding an average of 70 miles per day over 14 consecutive days clearly requires a reasonable level of fitness but it is well within the grasp of anyone of any age who is well-prepared. Alternative schedules are included for those wanting to ride faster - or slower.

Must See

The 'optimal' route for this classic ride, following quieter roads and traffic-free paths without much meandering. The route covers 1000 miles and can comfortably be completed in a fortnight. Passes through Dartmoor, the Somerset Levels, the Severn Valley, the Lake District, the Cairngorms and the remote Flow Country.

CONTENTS

Map key

Route summary table

Overview map

Suggested schedules

Introduction

Why the End-to-End route?

Tailoring this route to your needs

Which direction to ride?

Selecting a schedule

When to ride

Riding alone or as part of a group?

Getting there

Getting back

How much to budget

First and last nights

Accommodation

Baggage transfer

What to take

Preparing yourself

Preparing your bike

Eating

Phones and Wi-Fi

Waymarking

Maps

Practical tips

Using this guide

GPX tracks

Land’s End to John o’ Groats

Stage 1 Land’s End to Fowey

Stage 2 Fowey to Crediton

Stage 3 Crediton to Clevedon

Stage 4 Clevedon to Worcester

Stage 5 Worcester to Nantwich

Stage 6 Nantwich to Garstang

Stage 7 Garstang to Penrith

Stage 8 Penrith to Moffat

Stage 9 Moffat to South Queensferry

Stage 10 South Queensferry to Pitlochry

Stage 9a Moffat to Balloch

Stage 10a Balloch to Pitlochry

Stage 11 Pitlochry to Aviemore

Stage 12 Aviemore to Alness

Stage 13 Alness to Tongue

Stage 14 Tongue to John o’ Groats

Appendix A Accommodation

Appendix B Cycle shops

Appendix C Facilities summary

Appendix D Useful resources and contacts

Appendix E Official tourist information contacts

Appendix F Additional contacts for rail travel

Appendix G What to take

Appendix H Further reading