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Daydreaming about a 5 day summer tour starting from Lairg train station. First day heading to Altnaharra then to Durness via either Loch Loyal or Loch Hope. All on tarmac.
I'd always wanted to see Ben Loyal but I actually think the Ben Hope road might be more fun, threads its way along the Strathmore River. Hoping to avoid any NC500 traffic until absolutely necessary although will be following it (anti-clockwise) from there until pretty much Strathcarron I think over days 2 & 3
Ta
the ben hope road is lovely and carries little traffic. Ive not cycled the alternative route. Crask Inn is a nice lunch spot BTW or was when I called in a few years ago. Lovely and welcoming to cyclists and toasties and the like available all day
I prefer the Loch Loyal road. Ben Loyal itself is an amazing, almost Cuillin-like peak, looking very out of place in Sutherland, whereas you don't really get a decent view of Ben Hope until you're North of it anyway. And then there's the Kyle of Tongue.
Ben Hope road is fun - and then goes over a very open moor.
Took a CTC tour from Durness to Altnaharra and stayed in a lovely luxury hotel for not much money mid-week in May.
Often interesting weather in that part of the world - snow down to sea-level in late May, or such a strong easterly that I packed for the day after just 28 miles.
Sounds fun!
I made it as far as Durness on my Cape Wrath trip years ago but never further east. Was planned as a belated 40th birthday trip so late April but I do feel like I'd rather postpone another couple of weeks to be on the safe side. Credit card touring with pub/accommodate stops at Kylesku, Poolewe, Plockton, Glenuig then hopefully catching train in Oban with chippy in hand on the last day.
I think I'm erring towards the Ben Hope road right now, looks marginally less exposed and the Ben Loyal route is 7km longer 😂
https://www.strava.com/routes/3183422659307333342
The little campsite on Loch Naver (near Altnaharra) is lovely and very friendly. We spent 5 nights there last year. Did a 30 mile cycle one day and saw a grand total of 6 cars.
I prefer the Loch Loyal road. Ben Loyal itself is an amazing, almost Cuillin-like peak, looking very out of place in Sutherland, whereas you don’t really get a decent view of Ben Hope until you’re North of it anyway. And then there’s the Kyle of Tongue.
My first thought was the exact opposite of this! You don't really see Ben Loyal well at all from the road by Loch Loyal whereas you get good views of both it and Ben Hope from the Ben Hope road.
A few shots from the Ben Hope road:
A yes to the Hope Road from me. Did a 2day loop from Lairg west then north to Durness then back via Hope rd few years ago. Barely saw a car in miles past Ben Hope. Mind you that’s a good thing road so narrow in places I had to get off stand in ditch let a car past.
Mrs_oab and I discussed going up and 'doing a lap' of both as a nice ride...
The Loyal road has finer views IMO.
But the Hope was a more interesting place. And felt like a farm track in places!
Thats what I call " a road with character" ie grass up the middle
Thats what I call ” a road with character” ie grass up the middle
Haha, yeah I think that was what attracted me for some reason, I must have planned a route years ago and just remembered the road with the grass running up the middle 😂
I've only done them on the motorbike but Loch Hope was deserted. Was also going to mention the grass up the middle.