Land’s End to John O’Groats Cycle

Stunningly situated on the southwestern-most tip of England, Land’s End’s rocky cliffs and pounding seas make a fabulous backdrop for the obligatory photos before you start! You head towards Penzance on winding Cornish roads, passing St Michael’s Mount. The terrain is mainly undulating but there are a few longer climbs and some short steep ones! Inland again, you take winding back-roads before joining a quiet main road to Truro and St Austell, and on towards Liskeard.

(Breakfast not included)

Cycle approx. 76 miles

Today you cross Dartmoor, one of the most challenging sections of your ride. You cycle over rolling hills into Devon and through Tavistock, where you have a steep climb onto Dartmoor itself, towards the village of Two Bridges. The views are fabulous if it’s a clear day, though it can often be foggy in this wild part of southwest England. There is a great descent into Postbridge, with its well-known stone Clapper Bridge, and then you climb again. By the time you reach the small town of Moretonhampstead the hardest climbs are behind you. The road winds its way to the edge of Dartmoor, where it’s downhill all the way to Exeter; you then follow a quiet road north to Taunton.

Cycle approx. 91 miles

Now in Somerset, you cycle mainly on quiet, rural roads, enjoying the typically English rural scenery as you head towards Cheddar. A few short hills warm up before the day’s highlight – climbing the steep, stunning road that winds up through Cheddar Gorge itself. You then near the Severn estuary as you approach the outskirts of Bristol, and take the Avon Gorge cycle path through Avonmouth to the Severn Bridge. You cross the bridge on the cycle path and celebrate your arrival in Wales!

Cycle approx. 79 miles

You enjoy one of the most scenic parts of your route as you follow the rolling road through the forested Wye Valley, passing the beautiful ruin of Tintern Abbey. You follow the Wye River to Monmouth and cross back into England, over long, fairly gentle hills towards Hereford. Here you see the Wye for the last time, and ride through the cathedral city with its red sandstone buildings. Quiet, undulating country lanes take us through small villages into Shropshire and through the lovely scenery of the Hope Valley. You re-join the main road just south of Shrewsbury, where you have a short run-in to your hotel.

Cycle approx. 94 miles

Your morning starts with a gentle cycle through the medieval town of Shrewsbury, with its historic black and white timbered buildings, and you cross the River Severn – much smaller than when you cross it two days ago! We head north, turning onto a quiet country road and passing through the small market towns of Wem and Whitchurch. The route is mainly flat and the miles pass quickly. You head through a quiet corner of Cheshire on main roads into the most built-up area of your journey, by-passing busy Warrington and Wigan as we cycle on fast flat roads into Lancashire and on to your hotel just below Preston.

Cycle approx. 94 miles

Your last day on English soil! You cross Preston early, avoiding the morning traffic, and take quiet roads through Garstang and alongside the impressive Bowland Forest. The roads are primarily flat as you ride through historic Lancaster, cross into Cumbria, and pedal on through Kendal, renowned for its energy-boosting mint cake! The hills of the Lake District rise to your left as you head towards Shap Fell; at over 1000ft your most notable climb since Dartmoor. A fabulous long, twisting descent takes you almost to Penrith, where you cycle past te castle and on to Carlisle.

Cycle approx. 99 miles

You head north to the border with Scotland, and pass the famous blacksmith’s forge at Gretna Green, elopement capital of the world. You then ride mainly rolling, quiet back-roads west, bypassing the pretty town of Dumfries. The morning’s ride is very picturesque with the lush green hills of the Southern Uplands to each side as you cycle northeast through small towns and villages. There are some long but fairly gentle climbs and descents as you cycle through this beautiful countryside. You pass through the small town of Sanquar, home to Britain’s oldest post-office, and a great old toll booth; look out for memorials and plaques in this region commemorating the Covenanters who rebelled against the religious dictates of the Stuart Kings in the late 1600s. Nearing Kilmarnock, the roads grow busier but your hotel lies close by.

Cycle approx. 98 miles

You turn onto quieter roads as you head west to the Firth of Clyde. Following the coast road via the pretty waterside town of Largs, you enjoy fabulous views across the water to the Isles of Arran and Bute. The road continues to climb and descend as you cycle along the coast to Gourock, where you take the ferry across the short strait to Dunoon. You cycle north through beautiful forest and along the shores of Loch Eck. This section is mainly flat, until you reach the shores of Loch Fyne, where you have a stiff but scenic climb to the top of the loch.

Cycle approx. 81 miles

Leaving Inverary behind our day begins with a long and steady climb as you start to feel as though you are really in the Highlands! Coming to Loch Awe, you admire the ruins of Castle Kilchurn as you ride around the head of the loch. Heading west to the coast again, you cross the iron bridge at Connell, with great views of Loch Etive to your right and the Isle of Mull across the sea on your left. Your route now is beautiful, as you follow the coast road with views of stunning desolate beaches, and hilly islands and peninsulas across the water. Inland, the higher peaks are visible in good weather. Skirting the forests of Appin, you head north again, still following the coast, to Ballachulish – where the road splits off to the famous Glencoe. You continue straight on, crossing Loch Leven, and cycle along the banks of Loch Linnhe, enjoying a much-deserved flat run into Fort William. In clear weather you may get good views of Ben Nevis and the surrounding high peaks. You climb out of the town towards Spean Bridge and the impressive Commando Memorial, and finish your day’s ride on an undulating route alongside Loch Lochy.

Cycle approx. 96 miles

Another day of beautiful Highland scenery awaits you as you head further north. You are nearing your destination now, taking the hills in your stride and your legs feel great! You follow the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus, with its impressive ladder of canal locks, and come to the foot of Loch Ness, which will be your companion for many miles. You pass Invermoriston and then the ancient Urquhart Castle, very picturesque against the backdrop of the loch. At Drumnadrochit you leave Loch Ness and head north again, uphill to Beauly, skirting the end of the Moray Firth, and on to Dingwall. Your hotel lies a few miles further north, in the small town of Alness.

Cycle approx, 63 miles

Your last full day of cycling – and it’s a long one! The terrain is not easy, the moorland scenery is beautifully bleak, and the roads are almost deserted … if we had a Queen stage, this would be it! With plenty of miles in your legs now, you should be feeling up for the challenge – and the end is in sight! Starting with a climb through moorland, you are treated to a great early morning view above Dornoch Forth, and a fantastic descent to Bonar Bridge. Then the road goes up again, as you climb for over 30 miles through the moors. There are a few flat stretches which help to break up the terrain and it’s not too steep; it can be quite exposed, but very beautiful. The landscape is bleaker here than in the Highlands, with rich peaty moorland and clear rivers. You will encounter very few vehicles on this road. Look out for herds of red deer and birds of prey such as osprey or even the elusive golden eagle. You pass several small lochs and some forested areas, and can simply enjoy the scenery. From the top of the climb it’s a lovely descent to the North Coast, where you head east, enjoying glimpses of beautiful, deserted golden beaches. The roads are flatter now but this short section can feel very tough in strong winds. You pass the power station at Dounreay and approach Thurso. This small town comes as a slight culture shock after all the miles you have cycled on near-deserted roads in the last two days.

Cycle approx. 104 miles

From Thurso you pick up mileage signs for John O’Groats; the distance remaining, compared to how far you have come, is negligible! A few miles from Thurso you pass through the high sand-dunes of Dunnet Bay, with its beautiful white-sand beach and renowned birdlife. You take a short detour onto Dunnet Head, cycling the narrow road to Scotland’s most northerly point, and enjoy claiming that achievement too! You then return and pedal the remaining miles along a fairly flat road to John O’Groats and your Finish Line! After time to celebrate and sign the official End to End book, you load up the bikes and head south to Inverness, where you celebrate your achievements!

Cycle approx. 30 miles

After breakfast we say our farewells and go our separate ways; there are good onward transport links from Inverness.