Start: Middleton Top / Peak District
Distance: 738 miles / 1,188 km
Terrain: Mixed
Bike Types: Mountain bikes, Hybrid, Gravel
Grading: Moderate / hard
The Great North Trail was developed by Cycling UK runs from Derbyshire using the Pennine Bridleway and ending at the Northern tip of Scotland. It uses a mixture of existing and new negoiated off road routes and some roads. Its a challenging hilly route of around 738 miles passing through 4 National Parks and you have the option to finish at Cape Wraith or John O’Groats. It passes through four national parks including the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland, Loch Lomond and Trossachs.
Luckily it can be completed in a number of secrtions each of wish can be done over a (long) weekend. These include:
Section 1 – Peak District and South Pennines: Middleton Top to Hebden Bridge (129km, 2-3 days)
Section 2 – Yorkshire Dales: Hebden Bridge to Appleby-in-Westmorland (171km, 2-3 days)
Section 3 – North Pennines and Kielder Forest: Appleby-in-Westmorland to Kielder (123km, 2-3 days)
Part 4 – Scottish Borders: Kielder to Edinburgh (154km, 2-3 days)
Part 5 – Central Belt: Edinburgh to Glasgow (83km, 1-2 days)
Part 6 – Grampian Mountains: Glasgow to Fort Augustus (260km, 3-5 days)
Part 7 – Northern Highlands: Fort Augustus to Oykel Bridge (151km, 2-3 days)
Part 8 – Sutherland and Caithness: Oykel Bridge to Cape Wrath (133 km, 2-3 days) or Oykel Bridge to John o’ Groats (218km, 3-4 days)
Most experienced cyclists should be able to complete the route in around 16 days. The route was designed for moutain bikers but could be done on a gravel bike, touring bike or hybrid but be prepared to push on some of the more technical sections. Its a route ideal for a mountain bnike.
The Great North trail is easily accessible from the South with plenty of stations and some airports but certainly not so at the Northern end so bear this in mind. If finishing at Cape Wraith the nearest railway station is is Lairg which is around 60 miles whlst whist if finishing at JohnO’Groats the nearest station is Thurso around 73 miles away. Whilst the Southern end runs through some populated areas, much of the Northerm end does and actually goes through some very remote areas so make sure you are prepared with plenty of food, suitable outdoor clothing and bike spares such as chain repair tools, spare cables, inner tubes etc. Also make sure you are aware of emergency procedures.
Accommodation is plentiful at the more southern / mid sections of the trail but obvioulsy this becomes more sparse at the North end. Most people will wild camp as this is legal in Scotland but this does add extra weight to the bike if you are doing this trail unsupported. As ever its recommended to book ahead. The best time to ride the Great North Trail is Spring/Autumn as its quieter and more importantly you miss the Scottish midge season !
Great North Trail Route Map and GPX
More Information
