Tour Description
Scotland… A northern land that stirs the imagination with dreams, excitement, and curiosity, but also fears, doubts, and uncertainties.
Castles, wild landscapes, legends, and bagpipes. But is Scotland really just that? Like every place on the planet, you need to experience it to grasp its soul, culture, and beauty, as well as the challenges and contrasts it presents. Cycling through this incredible land, it was inevitable to think of sharing it with you all. But how to offer something that makes the experience unforgettable—a tough yet sustainable challenge? Here is our proposal.
Scotland Bikepacking - Tour Edition is a 590 km loop with 7,000 meters of elevation gain, starting from Edinburgh. This journey is an opportunity to explore different parts of Scotland on an adventure that is undoubtedly challenging, sometimes epic, yet within reach. It is a well-balanced mix of classic cycle touring and bikepacking adventure that will allow you to discover and experience various aspects of Scotland and this unique way of traveling.
Starting from magical Edinburgh, we will pass through major cities and tiny villages in the North. We will ride along rolling hills next to cultivated fields, woodlands, and forests where agriculture is the heart of local life, until we reach the wild northern mountains and ancient Caledonian forests. We will face vast, desolate landscapes in the Cairngorms National Park, where river crossings, some bike pushing, and confronting the raw elements of nature will be part of the daily experience.
Imagine gradually leaving modern comforts behind to reach and discover the wildest sides of this land, only to slowly return south toward Edinburgh, exploring new landscapes and contrasts. Experiencing this journey firsthand brought countless emotions, sensations, and thoughts while unveiling Scotland’s many faces. That is exactly what we want you to experience on this adventure.
The complete loop is 600 km with 7,000 m of elevation gain, spread over 9 riding stages within 12 days of travel.
Each stage is carefully planned to maximize enjoyment while allowing flexibility to manage the unpredictable Scottish weather.
Important: A valid passport and a temporary tourist visa are required.
What type of terrain will we ride on?
We will follow secondary roads, old military routes, and cycle paths until we reach the Highlands of the Cairngorms National Park, where we will encounter gravel roads, some rough terrain, and occasional singletracks requiring us to push the bike. Although this tour has a higher percentage of asphalt than some of our other trips, the sense of adventure is ever-present. The route is designed to be challenging but not extreme, keeping in mind Scotland’s demanding and unpredictable weather conditions.
Recommended bikes: MTB, gravel bikes with wide tires, or adventure bikes. It is essential to have sturdy, wide tiresto handle the rough sections, ensuring good grip and comfort.
General difficulty level: Medium
The difficulty of the Scotland Bikepacking - Tour Edition depends on three key factors:
• Daily distances adjusted to the terrain and region explored
• Variable elevation gain depending on the stage
• 60% paved roads, 40% smooth gravel with occasional sections of singletrack requiring short bike-pushing segments
If you are a moderately trained cyclist with good experience, enjoy riding on smooth terrain with some adventurous sections, and love the idea of alternating between diverse landscapes, culture, and nature, this bikepacking adventure in Scotland will be an unforgettable experience. This journey will also provide valuable insights into the world of bikepacking, allowing you to discover Scotland from a unique perspective—on your bike.
A spirit of adaptability and a love for adventure are essential: Scotland is famous for giving you four seasons in one day, and there is no more accurate description of its weather!
THIS IS JUST A BRIEF SUMMARY. FOR THE FULL ITINERARY, CLICK THIS: CLICK HERE
DAY 1 - Departure!
We fly to Scotland! The flight is not included in the package, allowing flexibility based on your departure city. Edinburgh is well-connected to Italy, with direct flights from Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, or Bergamo via major low-cost airlines. Based on personal experience, we highly recommend EasyJet for this route.
Upon arrival in Edinburgh, we will transfer to the city center, where our partner Projekt Ride will provide logistical support.
DAY 2 - Bike Setup & Edinburgh Exploration
A day dedicated to setting up bikes and gear, briefing, and final trip preparations. If we are efficient and take care of our “bike-traveling duties,” we will have time to explore Edinburgh—perhaps a walk along the beautiful Royal Mile, a visit to the National Museum, or simply relaxing before the adventure begins.
DAY 3 - Edinburgh → Perth
We leave the lively Edinburgh behind, using parks and cycle paths to reach the iconic Forth Road Bridge, quickly immersing ourselves in rolling landscapes with small lakes and medieval towns like Dunfermline and Kinross, passing by Loch Leven Castle—a historic fortress on an island.
Our journey north continues through Bridge of Earn before reaching Perth, a historic city along the River Tay, where we’ll prepare for the next stage.
DAY 4 - Perth → Pitlochry
We enter the Highlands! A scenic ride through forests and rolling hills, passing villages like Dunkeld, with its peaceful woodland landscapes. A mix of small paved roads and gravel paths leads us to Pitlochry, a charming gateway to the Highlands.
DAY 5 - Pitlochry → Aviemore
The real adventure begins! We ride toward the Cairngorms National Park, encountering rough trails, river crossings, and old military roads. Highlights include the Blair Castle and Loch Seilich. Expect bike-pushing segments and remote wilderness, but also breathtaking landscapes.
DAY 6 - Aviemore → Tomintoul
A challenging yet unforgettable day through the Caledonian Pines and remote valleys. River crossings, muddy sections, and rugged trails will be part of the adventure. Wildlife sightings are possible!
DAY 7 - Tomintoul → Braemar
A shorter yet stunning stage featuring Loch Builg and Cullardorch Pass. We finish in the charming village of Braemar, a perfect place to rest before leaving the Highlands.
DAY 8-11 - Return to Edinburgh
The second part of our journey takes us back south through Glenshee Pass, rolling hills, coastal cities like Dundee, and historic St Andrews. We ride past Lomond Hills Regional Park, with its panoramic views, before reaching the Forth Bridge for a scenic return to Edinburgh.
DAY 12 - Farewell
After dismantling our bikes and preparing for departure, we celebrate an unforgettable journey through Scotland—a mix of contrasts, wild landscapes, and rich culture.
This bikepacking adventure will stay with you forever!
Overview
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Activity organisation
Specially created GPX track
Information material on your experience
Reservation management and technical direction of the travel agency
Tour Leader as Cycling Tour Leader, FCI Instructor and Hiking Guide with active RCT insurance
Mechanical assistance from Guides if necessary
Dedicated WA Group
Pre-experience consultancy call to help you prepare for the experience
Field training to help you increase knowledge and skills
Guide satellite system
Bike or cardboard bag storage
11 nights in hotel, B&B or private flats with shared or double rooms
Roundtrip airport-hotel transfer
Medical insurance
A gift for all participants (work in progress!)
Participation certificate
NOT INCLUDED
Flight Travel
Cancellation insurance
Meals for the day and some breakfasts
Any other independent overnight stays
Luggage transport during the bike tour
Possible early return transport
Lunches and dinners
Any extra purchases of any kind
In general anything not included in the ‘Included in price’ item
Any experiences such as visits to museums and the like, which we are organising but will not make compulsory.
Preparati al meglio: materiale obbligatorio
Bici Gravel molto robusta, Adventure Bike o MTB in ottimo stato meccanico con gomme larghe (Es: 700X50 o 29” 2.2)
Casco (obbligatorio indossarlo)
Occhiali da sole e crema solare
Scarpe da bici e/o extra che siano comode e consentano di caminare su sterrato.
Vestiti extra per eventuali temperature fredde (rare ma possibili).
Materiale per pioggia e vento, come giaccia Antiacqua, copriscarpe e copripantaloni
Borse per poter mettere tutto il materiale sulla bici. Sconsigliamo l'utilizzo di uno zaino in quanto, sullo sterrato, può dare fastidiosi problemi, non sarà tuttavia ovviamente non sarà vietato!
Borracce, kit di riparazione e camere d'aria di ricambio.
Crema solare
Guanti da bici
Luci anteriori (Bianca) e posteriori (rossa)
Kit di manutenzione base (camere d'aria, falsamaglia, multitool, levagomme).
NB: verrà fornito un elenco più dettagliato ai partecipanti
