NC500 Kishorn to Gairloch
A stonking ride over the UK's greatest ascent, and some classic NC500 roads
Timing is everything right ?
Looking back on our NC500 trip in April 2018 , I now realise that the timing we very fortunate. It was a couple of years before COVID-19 pandemic, and the follow-on explosion in UK based adventure holidays.
As such we enjoyed predominantly campervan free roads, and plenty available accomodation.
Our trip from Loch Kishorn to Gairloch was the second day of our week long cycle tour of the NC500. The previous day had seen us fly into Inverness, setup the bkes and head due West to Kishorn. That was a relatively easy day, just 750m climbing in 112km.
Now for the something completely different. Just 3.0km from Loch Kishorn and we reach the base of Bealach Na Ba, greeted by the evocative warning signs of the challenging road ahead. We were incredibly fortunate with the weather, clear blue skies and little wind.
The ride to the top of the pass, is everything you expect it to be. Portentious, and awe inspiring, hard and beautiful. The top third is the toughest, not just becomes of the time spent climbing, but the severity of the gradient , and narrow road meaning you have to be very aware of traffic. Reaching the top is fantastic, not least because the view over to the Isle of Skye and Cuillin Mountains.
The descent off the Bealach Na Ba is thrilling, and has a lovely finish down at the shore in Applecross. There is an Inn which is a great place to stock up on calories, before the rollercoaster of a ride North.
The next 40km are classic NC500. Rolling roads, occasionally crossed by herds of deer, coastline often frighteningly close to your left shoulder, and a target village a few miles away.
Our next stop was at Shieldag,where we stopped at the Coastal Kitchen for lunch. Amazing views out over the Loch.
And then onwards, a highlight being the 8km stretch beyond Torridon with forboding Munros on your let hand side, and the tarmac disappearing into the distance.
Our route into Gaireloch took us along the coast of Loch Maree which is really beautiful, and a great prelude to the final 5km of the day.