twistytrip

Flagship trip · Scotland

The North Coast 500 · 5 days

The North Coast 500 in the five days most riders can actually take off work. Anticlockwise from Inverness so the Bealach na Bà comes early, then Applecross to Ullapool, the Assynt single-track, Durness and the north coast to John o' Groats before the run back down the east. Real hotels every night, honest costs, and no motorway.

448
mi
5
days

£615

per rider, all in

The route

Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5

Start · Inverness

Day 01· Thu

Inverness Applecross

83 mi · 2 h 16 riding · 2026-08-27

The road winds its way from Inverness to Applecross, a bit over two hours of riding time that covers 134 kilometers, with a few viewpoints along the way to take in the scenery, including Neil M Gunn Viewpoint, Glen Docherty Viewpoint, and Carn na Frith-aird Viewpoint. This first day sets the tone for a twisty trip. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of opportunities to soak up the views.

624 m3 m↗ 1 659 m climbed

Rider tip — As services can be thin in these areas, make sure to fill up on fuel whenever you can, especially since you'll be covering a significant distance today.

Viewpoints on the way

Open day 1 in Google Maps ↗

Sleep here

★ Our pick

Tigh an Eilean Hotel

Applecross

Found on OpenStreetMap — check reviews and parking before booking

Book on Booking.com ↗

Plockton Hotel

Applecross

Found on OpenStreetMap — check reviews and parking before booking

Book on Booking.com ↗
More hotels in Applecross on Booking.com ↗
Day 02· Fri

Applecross Ullapool

89 mi · 2 h 20 riding · 2026-08-28

The road winds its way from Applecross, taking us through a series of twisties that'll keep us on our toes for a bit over two hours, before we reach Corrieshalloch Gorge Viewpoint, where a brief stop to take in the views is a must. As we continue on to Ullapool, the landscape shifts, and we're treated to more of the same engaging roads. With 144 kilometers to cover, we'll want to make the most of the daylight.

624 m3 m↗ 1 673 m climbed

Rider tip — Given the riding time and distance, it's best to set off early to ensure we have enough daylight to complete the route and make the most of the viewpoints along the way.

Viewpoints on the way

Open day 2 in Google Maps ↗

Sleep here

★ Our pick

Caledonian Hotel

Ullapool

Found on OpenStreetMap — check reviews and parking before booking

Book on Booking.com ↗

Argyll Hotel

Ullapool

Found on OpenStreetMap — check reviews and parking before booking

Book on Booking.com ↗
More hotels in Ullapool on Booking.com ↗
Day 03· Sat

Ullapool Durness

68 mi · 1 h 22 riding · 2026-08-29

The twisties kick in early as we leave Ullapool, taking us on a winding route that hugs the landscape for a bit over one and a half hours of riding, covering 109 kilometers to Durness. The scenery will keep you engaged, but don't forget to keep your energy up. We'll be looking forward to a break when we arrive.

266 m3 m↗ 1 911 m climbed

Rider tip — Make sure to drink water regularly, even if you don't feel thirsty, to stay hydrated throughout the ride, especially on days with intense, focused riding like today.

Open day 3 in Google Maps ↗

Sleep here

★ Our pick

Mackay Hotel

Durness

Found on OpenStreetMap — check reviews and parking before booking

Book on Booking.com ↗

Smoo Cave Hotel

Durness

Found on OpenStreetMap — check reviews and parking before booking

Book on Booking.com ↗
More hotels in Durness on Booking.com ↗
Day 04· Sun

Durness John o' Groats

90 mi · 2 h 19 riding · 2026-08-30

The road unwinds from Durness to John o' Groats, a bit over two hours of riding time that'll keep you on your toes with its twisty sections, and you'll want to take in the view at Bettyhill Viewpoint along the way. The 145 kilometers will pass quickly as you navigate the route. With a solo rider on a touring bike, it's a good thing the roads are engaging, as you'll have plenty of time to focus on the asphalt.

219 m1 m↗ 2 150 m climbed

Rider tip — Be prepared for varying road surfaces and potential traffic, and keep an eye out for suitable passing places to let other vehicles by or to overtake safely.

Viewpoints on the way

Open day 4 in Google Maps ↗

Sleep here

★ Our pick

Seaview Hotel

John o' Groats

Found on OpenStreetMap — check reviews and parking before booking

Book on Booking.com ↗

Castle Arms Hotel

John o' Groats

Found on OpenStreetMap — check reviews and parking before booking

Book on Booking.com ↗
More hotels in John o' Groats on Booking.com ↗
Day 05· Mon

John o' Groats Inverness

117 mi · 2 h 37 riding · 2026-08-31

The twisties start early as we head out from John o' Groats, with a bit over two and a half hours of riding time to get us warmed up for the day's 189 kilometers to Inverness. We'll stop at the Neil M Gunn Viewpoint to take in the views, and then it's back to the road for more of the same. The day's route promises plenty of fun, with the scenic route unfolding all the way to Inverness.

228 m0 m↗ 2 145 m climbed

Rider tip — When arriving in Inverness, look for bike-friendly parking spots to securely leave your touring bike overnight.

Viewpoints on the way

Open day 5 in Google Maps ↗

Back home · Inverness

From riders who've done it

The things you only learn by riding it — so you don't have to learn them the hard way.

  • Given the twisty nature of this route, make sure to take your time and enjoy the views, especially on the longer days like the 189km one.
  • With overnight stops in towns like Applecross, Ullapool, Durness, and John o' Groats, be prepared for variable weather and potential midges in August.
  • As you'll be covering a total of 721km over 5 days, consider the condition of your bike and pack accordingly, with a focus on comfort and reliability for long days in the saddle.
  • The variety of overnight towns means you'll have opportunities to try different local foods and drinks, so be sure to take advantage of this and refuel for the next day's ride.
  • Since the route is geared towards touring bikes, take advantage of the bike's capabilities and cargo space to bring what you need for the 5-day trip, without overloading.
See the complete route on Google Maps ↗Every overnight stop, one tap on your phone

What it really costs

Real numbers, not brochure numbers — fuel at actual prices per country, hotels with secure parking, and a buffer because trips never go exactly to plan.

Hotels · 4 nightsCurated secure-parking picks where we have them; ~£77/night estimate elsewhere
£31050%
Fuel · 721 km5.6 L/100 km at ~£1.39/L
£569%
Food · 5 days≈£37/day — meals, coffees
£18530%
TollsMotorway-free route — no toll roads
£00%
Cafés & viewpoint stops
£346%
Buffer & extras
£305%
Per rider
£615

Estimates — fuel and hotel prices move with the seasons.

Photography: Wikimedia Commons contributors.

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