Cycling guides and maps in Scotland
Discover Scotland by bike
Do you want to explore Scotland’s lochs, forests, and remote roads? A good map or guidebook is your best friend when planning your trip. It makes it easy to follow a route, find suitable accommodation, or plan a break in a village.
At Cartovélo, we highly recommend Scotland for cyclists. The country offers diverse landscapes, excellent cycling infrastructure, and a real sense of adventure. Whether you’re a fan of long hikes or day trips, Scotland has everything you need for a cycling trip.
Why choose Scotland for a cycling trip?
Scotland is pretty much everything you’re looking for when you travel by bike: peaceful roads, magnificent nature, and worthwhile stops. Mirror-like lochs, ruined castles nestled in the middle of nowhere, sheep whizzing around the bends. And often, not a sound, except for the wind and your tires.
It’s pretty easy to organize. There are bike rental shops everywhere, accommodations that welcome cyclists (some even display a “Cyclists Welcome” label), and a real culture of cycle tourism. Not to mention the National Cycle Network, a network of well-marked cycle paths and routes. Some sections are perfect for families, others for gravel or bikepacking enthusiasts.
And cycling in Scotland also means taking advantage of your breaks. A hot tea in a small café, a plate of soup in front of the fireplace, a breathtaking view from a pass… That’s also the appeal.
Great cycling routes in Scotland
Here are some of the most popular (and most beautiful) routes:
● The Caledonia Way (NCN 78) : From Campbeltown to Inverness, this route crosses the Highlands for nearly 370 km. It runs alongside immense lochs, follows historic canals, and offers completely isolated sections. It’s a beautiful north-south crossing.
● North Coast 500 : A classic. 830 km around the north of Scotland, with spectacular views, rugged coastlines, and roads that wind between sea and mountains. A must-do if you enjoy a challenge and wild places.
● Lochs and Glens : A gentler but equally rich route. It connects Glasgow to Inverness, passing through the most beautiful lochs in the country. An excellent first cycling adventure.
● National Cycle Route 1 : This connects England to Scotland along the east coast. We discover cities like Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, but also beaches, cliffs and charming little roads.
Les 3 produits indispensables à emmener en Ecosse
- ING Scotland Map : Perfect for discovering Scotland from A to Z without getting lost. A 1:300,000 map with all the tourist routes and city maps.
- Routard Scotland Guide : A guide with favorites, itinerary suggestions, 50 maps, tours, and hundreds of addresses.
- Simplissime Scotland : Find original and unexpected experiences in Scotland, the land of Loch Ness, itineraries, and alternative stay suggestions, with an emphasis on sustainable transport.
The Scottish Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network, coordinated by Sustrans, covers over 2,300 km in Scotland. Much of this network runs along secondary roads, often deserted, or along old railway lines converted into cycle paths. The result: a relaxed, stress-free ride, sometimes without seeing a single car for hours.
Cycling in Scotland has a long history, but it’s in recent years that developments have really exploded. The goal: to encourage gentler, slower, and more respectful tourism. The goal has paid off: more and more travelers are choosing to cycle to discover the country.
The infrastructure is increasingly well-designed. There are clear signs, charging points, suitable accommodation, and even a few clever little services in train stations and tourist offices.
So, all you have to do is take a map of Scotland and set off to discover the country by bike!