The detailed Scotland Coast to Coast route map, profile and route directions are linked below. (Although this web resource shows full directions, on the ground - at the event - the route is fully waymarked). For the Challengers the route is shown as Day 1 and Day 2. For the Racers this is effectively Stage 1 and Stage 2, separated by Fort Augustus mid-way.
Day 1 HERE
Day 2 HERE
The Route
The Scotland Coast to Coast is a true 2 day point-to-point journey across one of the best known mountain landscapes in the World. Steeped in history and legend, the Scottish Highlands heralds names such as Inverness, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, Fort William and Ben Nevis. The route is as iconic as it sounds. Quite simply, it is a stunning journey set against the backdrop of the very best that Scotland has to offer. Challengers will complete this in the 2 days whilst for the super-keen Racers there is the option to attempt the whole route in 1 day on the Sunday!
Day 1
From a sensational start-line on Nairn beach near the colossal Fort George, north east of Inverness on the North Sea’s Moray Firth coast, the challenge departs to the south west, immediately cutting inland and beating a trail on foot towards Cawdor Castle, famous as the seat of the Thanes of Cawdor from Shakespeare’s Macbeth. With a transition set in the grounds of the castle, the bike stage gets underway and heads to Daviot and onwards to the southern shores of Loch Ness. After some breathtaking riding on quiet country roads, the Loch looms large and the day’s objective can be contemplated at Fort Augustus, at the south-western extremity of Loch Ness. With a quick paddle in our sit-on-top kayaks and a brief run, the day 1 course is completed with 57 miles under your belt. There is a tented village, or some swankier options to look forward to that evening, plus access to some hearty Highland fayre to set you up for day 2. Enjoy a sensational sunset gazing over the entire length of Loch Ness.
Day 2
Rising early on day 2, the bikes come out again and it’s time to gear up for some miles on the rough stuff. The Great Glen is the setting for today’s bike leg and the terrain varies between off-road sections and some minor roads, carrying you as far as Clunes on the Caledonian Canal and onwards via Fort William to the transition area at Glen Nevis. You drop your bike for the last time and now take to the famous Ben Nevis Tourist Path before crossing the Glen to the West Highland Way long distance footpath and onwards towards Loch Leven. The journey is nearly over now and as you summit the final pass, you will see the West Coast of Scotland open up before you, and below – the Isles of Glencoe Hotel. The finish line is just some short miles distant on the far shore of the Sea Loch below. Plunging down to the waterline, it’s time for the ultimate stage of the journey as you take to our kayaks once more, for a short but exhilarating paddle across Loch Leven and past the evocative Isles of Glencoe; ancient burial places of the Kings of the Clan Macdonald. With the finish line now firmly in sight, your kayak reaches land and you dash ashore for the last few hundred metres to the finish.
Of course, the Racers are going to complete their whole course in one day.
Finish and Celebrate
You started on the North Sea coast and now find yourself staring into the sea loch inlets of the Scottish West Coast’s Atlantic seaboard. There’s more good news too; the party is about to start. The Isles of Glencoe Hotel is the finish line venue and is a smart 4* hotel and breath-taking views across the Loch over which you have just come. For those that have booked accommodation, comfy rooms, a pool, sauna await. Sit back with a wee dram, take in the landscape and contemplate the 105 exhilarating Highland miles just conquered ( 102 miles for the Racers).
This truly is 'Scotland in a Weekend'. Slainte…
