Badger Divide

The Badger Divide is a spectacular off-road cycling route, starting from Inverness in the Scottish Highlands and heading south to Glasgow in Central Scotland.

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badger divide

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Distance

210 miles / 338 km

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Duration

4–5 days

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Route

Inverness → Glasgow

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Difficulty

Challenging

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Best Season

May – October

Let us take the weight off your shoulders.

  • Ride with a light daypack only (water, layers, snacks).
  • No heavy gear to haul over the Corrieyairack Pass.
  • Flexible, personal itineraries built for your pace.

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Baggage Transfer Rules
Walk with a light daypack
No tents, no heavy gear
Flexible, personal itineraries
Flexible, personal itineraries

Ride the Badger Divide

The Badger Divide is Scotland’s most legendary long-distance gravel cycling route. Spanning approximately 210 miles (338 km) from the heart of Inverness to the vibrant city of Glasgow, this epic trail delivers a raw and rugged journey through the wild heart of the Scottish Highlands.

The route weaves together a spectacular mix of estate gravel roads, historic military paths, and forest trails. From the stunning high-altitude views at Corrieyairack Pass to the remote beauty of the Corrour Estate and the lush woodlands of the Trossachs, the landscape is ever-changing and breathtakingly desolate.

Route Stops

  • 1 Inverness (Start)
  • 2 Fort Augustus
  • 3 Corrour
  • 4 Killin
  • 5 Callander
  • 6 Glasgow (Finish)
Inverness

Inverness

Capital of the Highlands

The official starting point of your NC500 adventure. This historic city offers a beautiful Highland setting and a vibrant atmosphere to prepare for the 500-mile loop ahead.

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Good to know

Stay at the Chieftain Hotel or Columba Hotel for a stress-free start; the team meets here between 8:00 am and 8:30 am to collect your bags.

NEXT STOP

Fort Augustus

DISTANCE

~65 miles

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Badger Divide Route Map

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Your Next Unforgettable Adventure

Discover breathtaking landscapes and curated experiences crafted for the modern explorer.

Badger Divide

5 Days

Oliver 5 day Badger Divide

5 day Badger Divide

A more relaxed way to ride the Badger Divide. Shorter daily distances allow time to enjoy the remote Highland scenery.

Badger Divide

4 Days

Tobias 4 day Badger Divide

4 day Badger Divide

A fast-paced off-road cycling challenge across the Scottish Highlands. Best suited to confident and experienced riders.

Most Popular

5 Days

Badger Divide

Badger Divide – 5 Day Cycling Adventure

A true off-road cycling adventure at a comfortable pace. Designed for riders who want challenge, scenery, and time to enjoy the journey.

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Want something different?

We design custom walking & cycling adventures across the Scotland — built around your pace, preferences, and dates.

Want something different?
Want something different?
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Day-by-Day Walking Plan

Tobias West 4-Day Badger Divide

A more relaxed, immersive experience

Day 1Inverness to Fort Augustus
~35 milesWaymarked trails and stunning loch views
Inverness to Fort Augustus
Adventure Begins
  • The Great Glen Way: Ride into the proper adventure on the Great Glen Way, featuring steep climbs and rougher trails
  • Scenic Coffee Stop: Keep an eye out for signs for the Abriachan Eco Cafe for an early break.
  • Loch Ness Views: Enjoy breathtaking views looking down into Loch Ness as you arrive in Fort Augustus.
Accommodation: Lochness Guest House
Day 2Fort Augustus to Loch Rannoch
~55 milesHigh mountain passes and remote gravel roads
Fort Augustus to Loch Rannoch
The Corrieyairack Pass
  • Tricky Descent: After enjoying the summit views, descend carefully while watching out for water bars on the path.
  • Incredible Scenery: Pass through Laggan and spend the afternoon on fantastic gravel roads surrounded by remote landscapes.
  • Remote Lunch: A highly recommended stop is the Corrour Station House for a unique mid-ride meal.
Accommodation: Loch Rannoch Hotel
Day 3Loch Rannoch to Killin
~25 milesScenic tarmac and riverside waterfalls
Relaxing Ride
  • Scenic Roads: Use this shorter day to relax and soak in the views along these beautiful road sections.
  • Falls of Dochart: Arrive in the lovely town of Killin, which is perfect for exploring, especially around the waterfalls at the south end.
Accommodation: Killin Hotel
Day 4Killin to Glasgow
~60 milesOld rail paths, forests, and the city finish
Old Rail Path
  • Glen Ample Challenge: Choose the rewarding (but deceptive and hard) Glen Ample route before stopping for lunch in Callander.
  • Seasonal Treat: Ride through Achray Forest and stop at Achray Farm (May–Oct) for goat milk ice cream.
  • The Final Stretch: Join the West Highland Way, navigate through Mugdock Park, and follow the Kelvin Walkway to the finish line.

Olivia Bossart 5-Day Badger Divide

A more relaxed, immersive experience

Day 1Inverness to Fort Augustus
~35 milesWaymarked trails and stunning loch views
Inverness to Fort Augustus
Adventure Begins
  • The Great Glen Way: Ride into the proper adventure on the Great Glen Way, featuring steep climbs and rougher trails.
  • Scenic Coffee Stop: Keep an eye out for signs for the Abriachan Eco Cafe for an early break.
  • Loch Ness Views: Enjoy breathtaking views looking down into Loch Ness as you arrive in Fort Augustus.
Accommodation: Inch Hotel
Day 2Fort Augustus to Laggan
~25 milesHistoric military roads and mountain passes
The Corrieyairack Pass
  • The Climb: Prepare for steep but manageable gradients; take your time to enjoy the views at the top.
  • Tricky Descent: Descend carefully, watching out for water bars on the path as you head toward Laggan.
  • New Terrain: Experience a completely different landscape from Day 1 as you enter the heart of the Highlands.
Accommodation: Tigh an Each
Day 3Laggan to Loch Rannoch
~30 milesVast estate gravel roads and remote beauty
Gravel Paradise
  • Remote Lunch: A “must-stop” is the Corrour Station House, one of the most remote restaurants in the UK.
  • Highland Solitude: Enjoy the peace and quiet of the desolated moorlands as you head south.
Accommodation: Loch Rannoch Hotel
Day 4Loch Rannoch to Callander
~45 milesOld rail paths and rewarding glens
Scenic Tarmac
  • Waterfalls at Killin: Stop for lunch in the lovely town of Killin, famous for the waterfalls at the south end.
  • Glen Ample Challenge: Choose the old rail path for speed, or tackle the harder but rewarding Glen Ample route.
  • Loch Lubnaig: Rejoin the main path at the picturesque Loch Lubnaig before finishing in Callander.
Accommodation: Poppies Hotel
Day 5Callander to Glasgow
~45 milesForest tracks, goat ice cream, and the finish line
Forest Riding
  • Seasonal Treat: Stop at Achray Farm (May–Oct) for their famous goat milk ice cream.
  • Victorian Engineering: Pass the historic Loch Katrine water works and join the West Highland Way.
  • The Grand Finale: End your journey at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow for a job well done.
Accommodation: Abode Hotel Glasgow

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Accommodation Planning

In Glasgow, don’t miss the traditional finish-line moment at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery—the perfect place to celebrate a job well done.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Badger Divide?

The route is approximately 210 miles (338 km) long.

What is the best direction to ride?

Most riders choose to go North to South (Inverness to Glasgow), though it can be ridden in either direction.

How many days does it take?

A typical pace is 4 to 5 days. Faster riders may complete it in 3 days, while those wanting a more leisurely experience might take 6 days.

What is the best time of year to ride?

May is often considered the best month to avoid both the winter wet and the summer midge season. Generally, late spring to early

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West Highland Way

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John Muir

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NC500

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Badger Divide

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Great Glen

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Rob Roy

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