Scotland tip to tip — the Faultline Trail

You’ll start your ambitious Scottish traverse from the Mull of Galloway, next to the gleaming white lighthouse. On this first stage, there’s no less than 58 miles (93.2 km) to cover, so don’t spend too long in the museum there before getting going!



Leave Scotland’s most southerly point behind as you head… read more

Stage 2 involves a total of 44.3 miles (71.3 km) from water to water, the banks of Loch Moan to the Afton Reservoir, across Carrick Forest and Carsphairn Forest. Therefore, you’ll be riding a lot of wide, gravel forestry roads today, a good way to keep a modest pace.



After a short stint along National… read more

The third stage of the Faultline Trail starts with a long descent, and is also the shortest of all the stages at 26.8 miles (43.1 km). You’ll finish in the small village of Glespin, but not before passing through the town of New Cumnock on the way.



The general direction of the stage is north east, firstly… read more

From the little village of Glespin in South Lanarkshire to the bright lights of Glasgow city, this fourth stage will take you over 56.7 miles (91.2 km) of winding wind farm gravel access roads, country park trails and along the Forth and Clyde Canal. It might look like a very long stage, but the terrain… read more

Rather than carry on in a direct line to the most northern tip of Scotland, this stage actually takes you north west over 54.2 miles (87.2 km) to Lochgoilhead. The anything-but-direct Faultline Trail leads you toward the Isle of Jura before heading north again.



The contrast between the suburbs of Glasgow… read more

One of the most beautiful stages of them all, this sixth stage totals 50.1 miles (80.7 km) from Lochgoilhead to Tarbert, after the ferry across Loch Fyne from Portavadie. You leave the Cowal Peninsula behind to ride to the Kintyre Peninsula along coastal sea loch and the hilly Acharossan Forest.



The road… read more

Stage 7 is a journey of two halves; firstly the hilly crossing from Tarbert to the Sound of Jura and then back to Loch Fyne, then a flat ride along the lochside and Crinin canal to the historical village of Kilmartin. In total it is a stage of 45.6 miles (73.4 km).



Start by leaving Tarbert behind to head… read more

Leave the fascinating ancient history of Kilmartin village behind as you begin this long 57.7 mile (93 km) stage to the Bridge of Orchy. Thankfully there’s a great hotel at the end of this tough stage which you might need after completing it! If you’d rather camp nearby, of course there’s the option… read more

The ninth stage takes you from bridge to bridge, over the River Orchy to the River Gaur some 41.2 miles (66.3 km) later. There are two big climbs on the menu on this stage; the first more gentle and the second steeper.



Start by leaving the Bridge of Orchy and heading south-east taking the gravel road… read more

This tenth stage takes you to the heart of the Scottish Highlands, to the lively town of Fort Augustus that’s a mecca for outdoorsy types and adventurers!



You’ll ride 60.6 miles (97.5 km) from the edge of Loch Rannoch north through the Corrour Estate past beautiful Loch Ossian and the most remote train… read more

Update: the Hydro Bothy has been demolished (June 2020). Find an alternative 5 km east at Tighachrochadair Bothy.



From the comfort of a lively town back to the wilderness, today’s eleventh stage takes you along part of the Highland Trail 550 route to end at the very basic ‘Hydro Bothy’. It’s a shorter… read more

From the basic charm of the Hydro Bothy to the luxury of the Oykel Bridge Hotel, stage 12 is a 58 mile (93.5 km) stage zig-zagging in a general northerly direction via Contin and the remote Loch Vaich.



Start your day with the descent past Orrin Dam and down to Marybank where you rejoin the road. If… read more

You’re really in the North Highlands on stage 13, navigating over 52 miles (83.8 km) to the hamlet of Altnaharra next to Loch Naver. The biggest climb on the route today is on asphalt, known as the ‘power station climb’, but otherwise it’s a relatively gentle day for the legs!



Head east along the road… read more

You’re really getting close now as the penultimate stage takes you almost to the end of your incredible end-to-end journey across Scotland, from the southern to the northern tip via the gorgeous west.



A total of 48.7 miles (78.3 km) across this wild and unforgiving landscape awaits you, from the tiny… read more

The fifteenth and final stage of the Faultline Trail is the shortest at 36.1 miles (58.1 km), designed so that you can enjoy your finish at Dunnet Head lighthouse with plenty of the day left for celebrating, relaxing and planning your overnight stay or onward travel home.



Rather than taking the classic… read more