Scotland: West Coast Bike Tour
Six nights; seven days of bicycle touring on very quiet one-lane paved roads of western Scotland.
“This was the best trip of my life, and I loved every minute of it. The location was heavenly…The cuisine far exceeded our expectations. Honestly, I would sign up for this very same trip again!” – Sue & Linda
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Cycle along quiet, single-track roads through glens, lochs, rivers, seashores, and moors.
- Stay in charming and hospitable lodging chosen for its character and comfort.
- Visit a different castle each day, from historic ruins to grand estates.
- Enjoy stunning views of heather-covered hills and ferns on the Isle of Mull.
- Sip Scotch whisky and explore the quaint waterfront in Tobermory.
- See majestic waterfalls near Ulva surrounded by unspoiled nature.
- Visit Iona, the burial place of Scottish kings and a key site in Viking and early Christian history.
- Take in breathtaking views of the Outer Hebrides and the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.
- Ride through landscapes that inspire poetry, songs, and a deep appreciation for Scotland’s beauty.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
30-50 miles/50-80km per day of moderate cycling on quiet paved roads with only one lane. The route follows many shorelines and rivers, and is not as hilly as one might expect. Advanced cyclists may pursue longer options; relaxed cyclists may ride shorter distances and use the support vehicle as required.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Transfer to Kilmartin; cycle to Crinan ~38km (+380m / -420m).
- 2: Crinan to Oban ~82km (+1200m / -1200m).
- 3: Oban to Iona ~82km (+590m / -590m).
- 4: Iona to Tobermory ~65km (+770m / -740m).
- 5: Tobermory Loop, up to ~86km (+1425m / -1425m).
- 6: Kilchoan to Strontian ~57km (+810m / -830m).
- 7: Strontian to Fort William ~46km (+620m / -630m); transfer to Glasgow.
(Click image to enlarge)
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Radisson RED Glasgow, 09:30, day one. Glasgow can be reached by train from Edinburgh.
Note: We are unable to collect you from locations within Glasgow's Low Emission Zone.
Finish: Fort William, 14:00; or Glasgow 17:00, day seven.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Transfer to Kilmartin; cycle to Crinan ~38km (+380m / -420m).
Pick up in Glasgow. Begin cycling in Kilmartin, near Lochgilphead. Ride through level countryside and along the canal towpath near the ancient capital of Dalriada, passing castles, gardens, and Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial sites. Tonight's elegant dinner at the Crinan Hotel will showcase exceptional culinary flair.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
Crinan Hotel, Crinan.DAY 2:
Crinan to Oban ~82km (+1200m / -1200m).
Magnificent views over the waters of Loch Awe, as you ride along the shore through the Inverliever and Eredine Forests, inspire songs, poetry, and a deep appreciation for this land and its history. The final stretch downstream to Taynuilt and through Glen Lonan is a beautiful ride. Finish in Oban, where waterfront walks lead to an array of shops, restaurants, and the distillery.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Perle Oban Hotel, or Glenburnie House Inn, or Manor House ($125/pp upgrade), Oban.DAY 3:
Oban to Iona ~82km (+590m / -590m).
Take the ferry from Oban to the Isle of Mull. Visit Duart and Torosay Castles, then cycle through Glen More and down the route where the headless horseman once rode to Pennyghael. Conclude the day with a short ferry ride to the Isle of Iona, where your inn awaits.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Argyll Hotel, or Ardoran House, Iona.DAY 4:
Iona to Tobermory ~65km (+770m / -740m).
Visit Iona, the burial place of ancient kings such as Macbeth, before a short shuttle - or an excellent ride for more energetic cyclists - along the dramatic, hilly western coast of Mull. Pass the ruins of Aros Castle and ride through Glen Aros to finish your journey in Tobermory.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Strongarbh House, or Tobermory Hotel, Tobermory.DAY 5:
Tobermory Loop, up to ~86km (+1425m / -1425m).
Enjoy a hilly loop ride around the northern half of Mull, passing the beautiful sands of Calgary Bay and where views of the Outer Hebrides will enchant you. Return to Tobermory, where shopping along the quaint waterfront - home to the Tobermory distillery at one end - will occupy a pleasant couple of hours. Choose from many independent dinner options in Tobermory.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
Same lodging.DAY 6:
Kilchoan to Strontian ~57km (+810m / -830m).
Take an early morning ferry to Kilchoan (don’t pronounce the 'c'). Ride along the fantastically beautiful and remote Ardnamurchan Peninsula, following the shore of Loch Sunart to Salen. Continue on to explore the quiet hills of Moidart and visit the ruins of Castle Tioram, magnificently set on the Loch Shiel Estate, before continuing to your lodging in Strontian.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Strontian Hotel, Strontian.DAY 7:
Strontian to Fort William ~46km (+620m / -630m); transfer to Glasgow.
This morning's beautiful and peaceful ride takes you along the coastline, past cows, sheep, and wild goats, to Ardgour, near Fort William—an ideal base for exploring Loch Ness, Ben Nevis, and the historically infamous Glencoe. Located on a train line celebrated as one of the most beautiful in the world, you can choose to travel back to Glasgow with us or take the train independently. Either way, you'll enjoy fabulous views of Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, and the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2025 DATES:
2026 DATES:
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(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: C 5795 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 3 dinners, ferries, luggage handling, full-time guide, support van, maps and route instructions, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 5395 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 7 days, 6 nights, 6 breakfasts, luggage transfers, maps and route instructions, essential transfers, emergency support, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add C 1325
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: Included
Flat bars, aluminum frame, disk brakes, rear rack.
Change to E-bike: 300
Flat bars. Raleigh Motus Grand Tour or similar, with rear rack. Both lowstep and crossbar frames available.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly, and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided date, this usually comes at a surcharge depending on the details, please get in touch for more information. If you prefer self-guided, we usually only require two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and can sometimes reduce prices for you if you have four or more.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is May - September.
- Spring daytimes warm up to 10 to 12 °C (50 to 53 °F) by mid June.
- Summer, mid June through August, is normally 15 to 19 °C (59 to 66 °F).
- Autumn, September to mid October, daytimes 8 to 12 °C range (47 to 53 °F). Nights can be chilly.
GET TO THE START
Fly into Glasgow (GLA), or Edinburgh (EDI); both international airports have regular flights arriving from major North American airlines.
Glasgow Central railway station, the starting point of your Freewheeling Adventure, is a quick train ride away.
AFTER THE FINISH
Your tour ends early afternoon in Fort William, with option to transfer to Glasgow.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
Spend extra time exploring Fort William’s beautiful landscapes, either by foot or the famous Jacobite Steam Train.
The bustling city of Glasgow warrants an exploration if time allows, and boasts a large number of museums and galleries, most of which are publicly owned with free admission. The bus and subway system make the city easy to explore, and past guests have enjoyed the City Sightseeing bus tour.
If you have several days:
Consider joining a trip in nearby Ireland or Wales.
Please let us know if you would like us to make a pre or post-tour hotel reservation for you.
Near Fort William we recommend staying at the Glenfinnan House Hotel.
In Glasgow, past guests have enjoyed:
MORE READING
The quiet single-track roads of Western Scotland follow glens, lochs, rivers, seashores, and across wide open moors, and are so quiet you will often feel like the sky and the ever-changing view are all yours. We pick you up in Glasgow, and start your bike tour near Oban with a warm-up on the Crinan Canal towpath. Your imagination will reel as you explore the Druid and Stone Age ruins around Dunadd. Ancient rites performed here included the crowning of kings as they sat upon the Stone of Destiny. You will ride north along the shore of Loch Awe, then ferry past the Lady's Rock to the fair Isle of Mull. Magical views of the outer isles will enhance your memories of the bens and glens of this quintessentially Scottish Island. Lord Ullin's daughter fled her father's ire here, and it's where the headless horseman rode. You may visit Iona, where the Book of Kells was written, and Scottish kings buried. After visiting Tobermory, the remote Ardnamurchan Peninsula will be your avenue eastward. On the return to Glasgow, you will pass through battle-bloodied Glencoe and along the shores of Loch Lomond. You will learn about Scotland's rich and savage history, which often sounds more like imaginative myth than fact, while you visit country estates, gardens, pubs, distilleries, and castles. The lodging on this adventure is exceptionally charming and hospitable, and the varied terrain will inspire all levels of cyclist.