Lochinver, Scottish Highlands

Distance 20.4km (12.7 miles) Climbing 530m (1,738ft) Time 1hr 30mins to 2hrs

Route summary A igure-of-eight loop taking in some lovely, sometimes technical, trails with stunning views, but also making use of some easygoing, quiet tarmac roads

Start/ inish Lochinver car park (grid ref NC 094/226, postcode IV27 4LB) 1

Go left out of the car park (heading north), then left over the bridge (signed to Baddidarrach) and keep left by the church. Head right and follow the signs to Glendarrach after crossing a cattle grid. Continue uphill and bear left at the fork, then shortly after, turn o left onto a path signed to Ardroe and Achmelvich.

2

Follow this path over a hill, then descend past Loch Dubh and over a bridge to a minor road. Go right here (or turn left to visit Achmelvich beach first). Proceed on the tarmac back to the B869 and turn right on it. Keep ahead for 2km to the A837 and follow it right, back into Lochinver. 3

Continue (south) on the A837 past the car park. Just after the Inver Lodge and Hotel, turn left on a minor road signed to Glencansip Lodge, before the tra c lights. Follow this track all the way to the lodge by the loch.

4

Just beyond the lodge, bear left onto a path that heads up onto the moor. Follow this to a fork and bear left, continuing down to meet the River Inver. Turn left by the water and follow alongside it, staying on the river’s left-hand side, back to the main road at Lochinver to finish.

NOTE: An alternative way to ride the route is to start (and stay) at the campsite or YHA in Achmelvich and get the road riding out of the way first, so you can finish at the beach and watch the sun set. You could also go out-and-back between Lochinver and Achmelvich along the o -road section, to make it a bit harder and miss out the tarmac.

LOCATION DETAILS A beautiful section of coastline in the Scottish Highlands, with lovely, remote cycling, a turquoise sea and a bright sandy beach in this quiet and stunning part of the country. Stoer is known for being a great place to spot sea life, including whales and dolphins.

GETTING THERE Lochinver is beyond Ullapool, on the north-western coastline of the Scottish Highlands. Head along the A835, then follow the A837 all the way to the end. MAPS & BOOKS Ordnance Survey Landranger 15: Loch Assynt. Scotland Mountain Biking: The Wild Trails by Phil McKane (Vertebrate Publishing).

FACILITIES Various guesthouses and self-catering lodges are available in Lochinver and Baddidarach. Otherwise, try the Culag Hotel (01571 844170, www.culaghotel.co.uk) or An Cala Cafe and Bunkhouse (01571 844598, www.ancalacafeand bunkhouse.co.uk), both in Culag Park by the pier. For grub, there’s a catering van in the car park, a Spar shop and the Lochinver Larder for rustic, wholesome food (01571 844356, www.piesbypost.co.uk). Also try the very nice An Cala Cafe (as above) and the superb Peet’s Restaurant (01571 844085, www.peets restaurant.com). There are no bike shops close by but Mackay’s Hardware and Chandlery in Lairg stock some basic spares (01571 844442).