Road Cycling View Trip Dates Skye and the Inner Hebrides Book Now Trip Grade: Green Skye and the Inner Hebrides The perfect way to explore iconic Scottish islands, join our Skye & Innter Hebrides bike trip. Watch stunning views unfold from your saddle as we journey from the Isle of Mull, through the wilds of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula to the fabled Isle of Skye. The roads of Skye and the Inner Hebrides - the islands closer to Scotland's West Coast - offer an opportunity to enjoy superb riding through a landscape that is as rich in wildlife, culture and heritage as it is in dramatic views and stunning beaches. We enjoy the best rides on the islands of the Inner Hebrides, stopping to explore and appreciate places of natural beauty, cultural interest and wildlife hotspots. Your Wilderness Scotland guide will both lead you and inspire you, while our carefully chosen accommodation will welcome you at the end of the day. As always we will enjoy the finest Scottish ingredients in our meals - especially the bounty of the sea on this island hopping trip. Highlights • Island-hopping through Mull, Iona and Skye on this easy-graded road cycling adventure. • Quiet country roads, cultural encounters, great landscapes and stunning island scenery. • Cycle to the Isle of Iona and explore its ancient abbey. Book with confidence • Max of 8 places available per departure. This trip confirms when 2 people book. Please note that if at 45 days from the trip start date there are still only two people booked on your departure, your trip with run with a single guide who will drive the support vehicle (therefore, no guide will be cycling on the road with you). All other aspects of the trip will be the same, and your guide will of course provide all assistance, bike maintenance, local insights and storytelling. PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Planned Itinerary Day 1 | North West Mull Day 2 | Cycling to Iona Day 3 | The Ardnamurchan Peninsula Day 4 | Cycling to Skye via the Road to The Isles Day 5 | Raasay Day 6 | Dunvegan Castle and a Wee Dram Day 7 | Return to Inverness Arrival Info • Your Guide will meet you at the Oban ferry terminal • 11.00am on Day 1 of your trip Departure Info • You will be returned to Inverness Railway Station • 2:00pm on the final day of your trip PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Day 1 | North West Mull Today we meet at Oban Ferry Terminal, then board the ferry and cross to the Isle of Mull. We will have some lunch overlooking the Sound of Mull and set up the bikes for the week ahead. Setting out on the bikes we follow the coastal road to Salen, before riding to the North West of the Island and our accommodation in the village of Dervaig. Reaching the oldest inn on Mull, our base for the next two nights, there will be a chance to relax and have a welcome drink before taking our evening meal in the restaurant, where a range of Scottish dishes along with homemade desserts, award- winning local cheeses, real ales, fine wines and island malts are all on offer. (L, D) Ride details: 38km/ 24 miles | 360m/ 1183ft elevation gain Day 2 | Cycling to the Isle of Iona This morning we transfer to Fionnphort to make a 10 minute crossing on the ferry to the Island of Iona, including a must-see trip the wonderful Iona Abbey, the home of Christian worship since 563AD. Returning back to Mull, we follow the coast alongside Loch Scridain towards to the small village of Pennyghael, where we pick up a single track road under the shadow of Ben More, the highest mountain on the island. Today’s ride will finish near Knock, where we will transfer back to the accommodation and then spend some time exploring some beautiful beaches, including the stunning Calgary Bay with its white shell sand beach. (B, L, D) For those of you wishing to ride a little more, there is the option to extend the day; your guide will advise of the options. Ride details: 56km/ 35 miles | 518m/ 1702 ft elevation gain Day 3 | The Ardnamurchan Peninsula After breakfast we make the short journey to Tobermory, allowing for time to visit the colourful harbour. We then board a ferry for a short trip across the Sound of Mull to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula on the mainland. From where we land the only way is east, so we follow peaceful and undulating single track roads through the peninsula. We can stop in to see the Ardnamurchan Distillery, which is one of Scotland’s newest. As we ride, we enjoy views south across Loch Sunart, keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife. Our destination tonight is the tiny settlement of Acharacle and our hotel enjoys wonderful views down scenic Loch Shiel. (B, L, D) Ride details: 43km/ 28 miles | 707m/ 2322 ft elevation gain Day 4 | Cycling to Skye via the Road to The Isles Today we cycle through Ardnamurchan and Moidart, following perfect cycling roads as we make our way to the fishing port of Mallaig. Our route crosses the rugged peninsula before joining the coast on the Sound of Arisaig. The final section takes us along a stretch of the original ‘Road to The Isles’. A new road bypasses the coastal road, making this an idyllic and almost car-free ride as we pass numerous white sand beaches. Looking out to sea, the high peaks of Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye and the distinctive skylines of the Small Isles make this a memorable ride. On arrival in Mallaig, we will connect with the ferry to the Isle of Skye, where we stay overnight in the south of the island. (B, L, D) Ride details: 56km/ 35 miles | 875m/ 2869 ft elevation gain Day 5 | The Isle of Raasay This morning we ride to Broadford followed by a short transfer to the village of Sconser and travel across to the Island of Raasay, located between Skye and the Applecross Peninsula. Here we will cycle on the quiet single track roads, visit the distillery and, if time allows, the famous ‘Calum’s Road’, built single-handedly by a local crofter between the mid 1960s and the mid 1970s, with hand tools and a wheelbarrow. We reconnect back to the Isle of Skye, where we’ll transfer to Portree, our home for the next two nights. (B, L, D) Ride details: 34km/ 21 miles | 849m/ 2788 ft elevation gain Day 6 | Dunvegan Castle and a Wee Dram This morning we ride across to the west side the island passing by a number of small villages and Dun Beag, an Iron age Broch perched on top of a grass knoll arriving at Dunvegan Castle. We’ll enjoy a tour, learning about Clan MacLeod and the Lord of the Isles and enjoying the views out across Loch Dunvegan. After lunch at a local cafe we ride to Neist Point, the most westerly point on Skye. The point provides stunning views to the Outer Hebrides where we can enjoy a short walk to the picturesque lighthouse. We transfer back to Portree to enjoy our final evening meal and a celebratory dram together. (B, L, D) Ride details: 53km/ 33 miles | 756m/ 2483 ft elevation gain Day 7 | Return to Inverness After breakfast, we transfer back to Inverness, stopping at Eilean Donan Castle for a quick photo stop to break up the journey. (B) Trip Grading | Green 3 | Green graded trips are suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness who enjoy cycling and are looking for an active but relaxed trip. They are also suitable for active people who are new to cycle touring and looking for a new way to explore the countryside. Distances each day will be between 25 - 40 miles, cycling at an average speed of around 12mph. We will ride on mostly straightforward rolling terrain with one or two more notable climbs during the trip, where some riders may opt to ride in the support vehicle. We will be in the saddle for 4-6 hours each day plus the odd longer day. There is also time each day for breaks and lunches, plus visits to sites of interest. The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable and at times can make activities more challenging. Please do bear this in mind when thinking about what trip to join. If our guides feel that you are not able to complete a scheduled ride they may ask you not to join in that day. If you have any questions about the grading, then please do give our Adventure Consultants a call to chat through your experience and suitability for this trip. It is your responsibility to ensure you are appropriately fit and capable of doing the described rides in the expected times. Please refer to the grading section on our website for more details. If you are unsure we encourage you to speak to us first. Accommodation and Meals This trip features some of the best hotel and guest house accommodation and food along the route we travel. We use a variety of accommodations such as country inns, guesthouses and small hotels, all hand-picked by us. Accommodation is in a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities. Lunch each day will be either a wilderness picnic or taken at a local cafe/restaurant.