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National Cycle Route 78 - Caledonia Way

234.26 miles (377 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This route follows Sustrans National Cycle Route 78 from Campbeltown to Inverness.
The epic route runs for 234 miles through some of Scotland's most breathtaking scenery. You'll pass along the wonderful Great Glen Way and visit famous landmarks such as Loch Ness and Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. There's also a lovely, easy waterside stretch along the Caledonian Canal to Inverness, at the end of the route.
Please see the links below for a series of manageable day rides taking place along the route.
Scroll down further for videos and the complete gpx file for the route.

Cycle Routes on the Caledonia Way

  • Campbeltown to Tarbert - Travel along National Cycle route 78 and the Kintyre Peninsula on this spectacular ride which gives fabulous of views of Kilbrannan Sound and the west coast of the Isle of Arran.
    The ride starts by following quiet roads around Campbeltown Loch with terrific views of the striking Davaar Island
  • Tarbert to Crinan - This incredible ride takes you along the trail through Argyll and Bute giving fabulous views of the Isles of Jura and Islay.
    The ride starts at Tarbert Quay and heads along West Loch Tarbert and then past Loch Stornoway to Kilberry
  • Crinan to Taynuilt - This stunning ride follows the trail through Kilmartin Glen and includes a wonderful long stretch along Loch Awe.
    The ride starts overlooking Loch Crinan before joining the Crinan Canal to Bellanoch
  • Taynuilt to Oban - This stunning short ride takes you along the trail from Taynuilt to the beautiful resort of Oban on the Firth of Lorn
  • Oban to Fort William Cycle Path - A popular section of the trail with several long lochside sections and wonderful views to the surrounding mountains.
  • Fort William to Fort Augustus - Travel along the Great Glen Way and the trail on this fantastic cycle ride which takes you along the Caledonian Canal and gives splendid views of Ben Nevis.
  • Great Glen Way - Follow the Great Glen, running from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east
  • Loch Ness - This cycling and walking route follows cycle tracks and the Great Glen Way from Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit
  • Caledonian Canal - Follow the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Loch Dochfour on this waterside walk or cycle in the Scottish Highlands

Caledonia Way OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Caledonia Way Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Five Ferries Cycle Route and the Kintyre Way can be linked with on the Kintyre Peninsula. These long distance trails are a great way of further exploring this beautiful area.
At Loch Ness you can enjoy a view of Invermoriston Falls from the 19th century Thomas Telford bridge. The old bridge is located just south west of the village and provides fine views over the rushing falls.

Photos

Campbeltown Loch - geograph.org.uk - 1434447

Campbeltown Loch near the start of the walk

Roybridge Ben Nevis geograph-3218694-by-Ben-Brooksbank

Ben Nevis

Cycle path at South Creagan - geograph.org.uk - 1575831

Cycle path at South Creagan. Cycle path newly constructed on the trackbed of the former Ballachulish railway line. Part of a plan to link Fort William to Oban with a continuous cycleway path as part of the UK cycleway network.

Loch Ness, just north of Invermoriston - geograph.org.uk - 412606

Loch Ness, just north of Invermoriston. Looking down over Loch Ness from the Great Glen Way footpath just north of Invermoriston

National Cycle Route 78 between Strontoiller and Taynuilt

Newly surfaced road in the Scottish Highlands, including Highland cows. The road is part of the National Cycle Route 78.

Fort William - geograph.org.uk - 2305604

Fort William

Caledonian Canal - geograph.org.uk - 1092443

Caledonian Canal

Caledonian Canal Muirtown Locks Inverness Scotland (4083183130)

Caledonian Canal Muirtown Locks Inverness Scotland

GPS Files

GPX File

Caledonia Way.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)