100 Climbs Route: Day 19, Dornie to Inverness

In August 2018, three Cycling UK members - Dominic Millar, Graham Salisbury and James Findlater – cycled a 3,300-mile, 29-day route around Britain to take on all 100 hills featured in Simon Warren’s book ‘100 Greatest Cycling Climbs’. This route plots day 19 of the journey, 108 miles from Dornie to Inverness, taking in the climb of Bealach-Na-Ba.

After yesterday’s fantastically atmospheric ride through the Highlands, it’s a case of more of the same today. Except there’s one very significant extra ingredient: Bealach-Na-Ba. This awe-inspiring climb isn’t just the highlight of today’s ride but arguably the highlight of this entire ‘100 Greatest Cycling Climbs’ tour.

First, though, you’ll have to leave Dornie, crossing the bridge at the southern end of Loch Long. Head west and then north to Stromeferry, Attadale, Achintree and Strathcarron. Turn left at the main road to Lochcarron and onwards to the café at Tornapress. Turn left here and prepare to be pushed to your limits.

Right, this is it. Simon Warren calls Bealach-Na-Ba: “The Holy Grail, the toughest and wildest climb in Britain.” It’s also the only climb to invoke Spinal Tap and be awarded 11/10 on his grading system. But there are some words of caution: check the weather forecast before you attempt it; be prepared for harsh weather at the top; and if in any doubt, do not ride this. If all is good, or as good as it's going to get, grit your teeth and keep going.

Assuming you make it to the car park at the summit, enjoy the view while you congratulate yourself.

Then come all the way back down and retrace your tracks almost to Strathcarron. Stick on the A890, A832 and then A835 as they merge into one another crossing Scotland, west to east, until you reach Marybank. Then turn south and south-east to Muir of Ord, North Kessock and cross the bridge into Inverness.

The tour might not be finished but you’ve completed it’s greatest single challenge - what an experience.