[Closed] Ullapool to Inverness

Ullapool to Garve is fine. Garve to Contin is best avoided. Contin to Inverness is better via Beauly.

There's a railway station in Garve where you could pick up a train to Inverness.

If you are coming off the ferry then there's a bike taxi service that might work for you.

What bike/tyres?

I've only ever driven it.

Its a good road to drive, wide for 2 lanes and with good sightlines for most of it.

It is part of the NC500 though so there maybe the odd dickhead.

Thanks. I’ve seen the railway in Garve but was just trying to do it all by bike, heading onto the Caledonia Canal to get back to Fort William then loop round Ardnamurchan to head back to Oban on ferries via Mull.
I’ll be on my CDF but the taxi service just doesn’t appeal and I’m in no rush hopefully,but thanks anyway for the pointer.

There's a good track between Garve and Contin, following the North side of Loch Garve, makes a decent alternative to the most unpleasant section of road.

Oh - if you opt for the road, please dismount at the Garve Level Crossing. Too many cyclists have had their rides abruptly terminated there.

I rode it on a Genesis Fugio from Inverness to Ullapool last summer half term. Was pleasantly surprised by the lack of asshat driving, didn't have a ton of caravans or anything to contend with either. Way more pleasant than A-roads near me. It is remote though. There's practically nothing by way of houses, never mind anywhere to get food, so go prepared for that. Also be prepared to wrap up warm if you did have to stop for a puncture or whatever. I got really really cold - the wind was slight but freeeeeezing when I rode it. @epicyclo on here gave me a nifty little route via Muir of Ord that missed out the nastier busier stuff near Inverness.

Ullapool to Garve is fine

I'd disagree. The road itself is fine but the aggression from drivers on it was the worst I've ever experienced. Special mention to the MK2 Astra that decided a punishment pass at 60mph on a huge long straight section was a fair response to me have the temerity to cycle on the road they were using.

There's a forumite at the Inchbae Lodge. Handily placed for a mid-ride refreshment...

Is it that you really want to do that route or that's just a way to get to Fort William? Alternate route would be to turn west at Braemore junction or Garve, head for Skye and the Armadale ferry to Mallaig and head to Ardnamurchan that way.

Mainly I want to do it. Used to take trawlers through the canal on way to Norway years ago. Rode part of it early last year as part of a bikepacking route coming from the WHW but the forecast for Aviemore made me bail out which sadly was the right thing to do as lots of snow came and would heave been too much of a sufferfest on my proposed route but I’ll check your suggestion out. Skye roads must be pretty awful these days from what I’ve been told.

Looked on a map now, I understand, something to think about.

I've never had any problems but can just be your luck sometimes along with time of day or year if it's busier. Mostly flat to downhill as well and depending on train times you can still catch the same train from Inverness than if you'd boarded the train at Garve anyway (although I know that's not your plan)

Garve to Contin. Having spent 35 years within 5 miles of the Contin end and driven along it many hundreds of times my perception is that there’s no way I would ride that section on the road, and I’m not particularly risk adverse.Statistics probably don’t back me up and other views are available.

I once tried to keep up with a Kinlochbervie fish lorry from Ullapool to Garve on the section along Loch Glascarnoch in the dark. The yaris couldn't handle it and neither could my nerves.

No way I'd ride the Garve to Contin section on a push bike especially since the nc500 but quite a few people do.

There’s a forumite at the Inchbae Lodge.

Not any more as we left a couple of months ago for several reasons, some of which will be more than apparent when you look at the immediate surroundings of what was a beautiful country inn.
On the plus side, I've actually turned a pedal for the first time in 2 1/2 years last week 🙂

Agree with the above on the Garve/Contin section being bad and onwards to Ullapool, especially early doors at weekends where it appears to be the unofficial race track for locals on 2 and 4 wheels.

I ride the Garve to Contin stretch reasonably regularly. The problem isn't the general traffic, but the Ullapool ferry traffic.

There's about about half an hour of heavier traffic. Otherwise it's ok, just a winding road with poor sight lines, so ride so you're visible. Once the first 5 minutes or so of hero Formula 1 drivers blast past, it's ok. I just pull over and stop to let the circus by.

I prefer the off road route and will take that in preference, but I'm never in a hurry. It will take you from Blackwater Bridge to Contin and there's only a few hundred yards where it may be tricky on a laden narrow tyred bike. The scenery is better that way too. 🙂

I have ridden it quite a few times - both by the main road - I didn't see any unusual dangers - and more enjoyably via back roads and offroad which was lovely