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GREAT
GLEN CYCLE TOUR
a
great cycle holiday
A spectacular
journey from Inverness, the Capital of the highlands, along the shores
of Loch Ness to Fort Williams. Cycling across the Great Glen, a
natural geological fault line stretching from Fort William in the south
west, to Inverness in the north east, on special paths and
quiet forest trails, you will enjoy magnificent views of lochs and
mountains and will have a chance to see some of the abundant wildlife
such as red deer and golden eagles. A rest day in Fort William to
explore, try some mountain biking in the forest or climb mighty Ben
Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain. Leave Fort William by train for a
scenic journey up Glen Spean and across desolate Rannoch Moor. From
Rannoch Station follow the lochside road via Lochs Rannoch and Tummel to
reach Pitlochry. At this pretty Victorian resort town you can visit the
Dam and Fish Ladder, a distillery or nearby Blair Castle with its fine
collections of armour, painting and china.
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Programme
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Day
1
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Arrival at Inverness
Inverness now a thriving modern
town has historical links going back to Neolithic times. Many
battles have been fought for control of its strategic site. A
visit to the Garrison Castle Encounter will take you back to
1745 and the Jacobite Rebellion. The castle of Inverness houses
the Museum and Art Gallery. The cathedral of St.Andrew (1869) is in
neo-gotic stile.
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Day
2
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From Inverness to Drumnadrochit
(24ml / 39 km)
Leave Inverness following the river:
across moorland and quiet country roads to Drumnadrochit, a
lovely small town, situated at Loch Ness. Visit the Loch Ness
Monster Exhibition Centre and the ruined Urquhart Castle. |
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Day
3
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From Drumnadrochit to Fort
Augustus (23ml / 37 km)
Follow the famous Cycle Way of the
Great Glen. Today some steep hills, which are rewarded with
beautiful views of Loch Ness and the mountain beyond. In the
forest you may see deer or golden eagles before you reach the
south end of the loch at Fort Augustus.
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Day
4
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From Fort Augustus to Fort
William (34ml / 55 km)
The Caledonian Canal towpath and
forest tracks keep you safe from traffic until you reach the
locks of Neptunes Staircase at Banavie. All
along the Canal route, you can enjoy wonderful views of Ben
Nevis and the Grey Corries, spot birds and wildlife and
generally enjoy the peaceful nature of the Canal Way. A
short ride to the busy tourist town of Fort William in the
shadow of mighty Ben Nevis (1344 m).
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Day
5
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A rest day at Fort William
Today a rest day to explore Fort
William, an important turistic centre or take a poetic
trip on the steam train of the scenic West Highland Railway to
Mallaig, a sympathetic fishermen town. Another possibility could
be to climb Ben Nevis or explore the many forest trails in
Leanachan Forest.
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Day
6
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From Fort William to Tummel
Bridge (24ml / 39 km)
Avoid the busy roads with a scenic
train journey across bleak and desolate Rannoch Moor to Rannoch
Station. Cycle along the quiet road along the beautiful south
shore of Loch Rannoch to Tummel Bridge.
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Day
7
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From Tummel Bridge to Pitlochry
(13ml/24ml - 20 km/39 km)
A short day's cycle by Loch Tummel
to the delightful Victorian town of Pitlochry or alternatively
strike northwards to Calvine and Blair Atholl. Visit Blair
Castle and enjoy the magnificent display of arms and armour and
the thirty-two fully furnished rooms. These display beautiful
furniture, fine paintings china, lace and embroidery. At
Pitlochry there is a chance for some shopping, visit one of the
two distilleries or the Dam and Fish Ladder.
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Day
8
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Departure
after breakfast
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The
package includes:
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Bed
& Breakfast accommodation in twin/double rooms in 3 or 4 star
guesthouses
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Luggage
transportation (max. 15 kg)
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Tour
information including maps and detailed route description
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Emergency
support
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Train
Ticket Fort William to Rannoch on day 6
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route
briefing
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insurance
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Period
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Friday,
Saturday or Sunday start days only from 30 March to 21 October
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Level
3
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A
strenuous tour: Cycling in a hilly countryside or low mountains
with daily distances between 37-55 km. Day 2 mostly uphill,
day 3 & 4 off road cycling, day 6 & 7 moderate cycling. A
moderate level of fitness required. Not suitable for children
till 12 years, terrain to hilly.
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Participants
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Minimum
of two persons
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Price 2012
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Per
person sharing twin/double room with breakfast € 599,00
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A single room with
breakfast € 770,00
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Bike
rental € 75,00 |
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