Land’s End To John O’Groats

via the Scottish Islands of Arran, Mull and Skye

Contributed by Graham Hill aided by Irene North (2005)

YHAs + B&Bs; minor & B roads; few A roads; as flat as possible (not very) through West Country; lumpy up the Welsh Marches, west coast of Scotland route to Skye, then across to east just north of Inverness.

This description assumes that the reader has access to the CTC End-To-End pack.

The route in Scotland uses 5 ferries. Calmac normally ask but be sure to buy "Island Hopper" tickets (2 are needed). If you’re using a back-up vehicle, this may preclude this route since vehicle island hopping is a very expensive business.

General comments by the author on the route We did the 1170+ miles in 18 days; not bad for a combined age of 131! IMHO, the "Islands" (Arran, Mull, Skye) route is far superior to the A82/A9 routes but hillier!

As an YHA / SYHA warden, I designed a route around hostels but frankly Chester-Slaidburn and Dufton-anywhere was just too far; however we always finished before 1800 hours. I do wonder if a hostels-only route is now feasible for the average rider.

The Philip's Navigator Atlas at 1 1/2 miles to 1 inch was used for planning and meant we rarely strayed onto A-roads (naturally we got lost on occasions). I was rather pleased with the industrial Lancashire leg (which took in a rideable farm track and avoided the A6). We saw no other E2Eers and GH rode every hill!

The route coincides with several NCN cycle routes, cycleways, etc. Generally these were not followed for long as they take quiet but roundabout routes. But the Strawberry Line (Axbridge - Winscombe) is especially good as it avoids riding on the A38. They were most useful in urban areas though easily lost. Anyone contemplating a similar route should consult www.sustrans.co.uk for details.

We started with Treyarnon Bay / Okehampton YHs; an easier start than the usual Golant / Steps Bridge. Getting from Okehampton to Street or Cheddar would be around 80 miles, and flat after Bridgwater (where we B&B'd).

Leave on A30. TR onto B3315. TR onto minor roads via Lamorna, Mousehole and Newlyn into Penzance and onto A30. TR towards Marazion. SO A394 on B3280 and minor roads to Camborne. Continue via Redruth, St Day, Chacewater to Threemilestone. TL and SO A390 to join B3284 at Shortlandsend. TL(NCN 32) and continue via St Allen to A30. SO (TL and immediately TR) to Newlyn East, St Columb Major, Rumford and TR onto B3276 into Padstow.

Cross to Rock on passenger ferry. Join B3314 and follow to Delabole. One mile further on TL to join B3266. At next junction, TR and cross A39 into Davidstow. Follow minor roads near Tremail, St Clether and Laneast to A395. TR and continue for 1.8 miles before TL into Under Lane (on reflection the route from Davidstow to Launcestion via Egloskerry is easier to follow). On reaching A388, TL (ie away from Launceston) and 1st R (Ridgegrove Lane). When met again, TL onto A388 ("old" A30) and continue on minor roads to Bridestowe. Follow Granite Way (NCN 27) signs to Okehampton (which can also be reached via A386 and B3260).

Leave on B3260("old" A30) and minor roads via South Zeal to Whiddow Down where SO on A382 to A30. SO on minor roads via Hittisleigh and Yeoford where TR towards Crediton. Leave on A3073. After 1 mile TR and follow minor roads via Shobrooke, Silverton and Sampford Peverell. Continue via Langford Budville, Norton Fitzwarren and Kingston St Mary into Bridgwater (TIO; NB Bridgwater signs usually lead to A38!).

Leave on A39. After 3.4 miles, TL on B3141 which becomes B3139. At Wedmore TL onto B3151. In Cheddar TL onto A371 and continue to Axbridge. At end of town fork right and just before A38, bear L onto NCN 26, which leads via a long unlit tunnel to Winscombe. Alternatively NCN 26 can be joined (unsigned) where B3151 meets A371. Continue to Sandford(A368) where SO, 1st right(Sandmead Road), and 1st left into Church Lane. TL on B3133 and follow this via Congresbury and Yatton. Just after crossing railway, TR (Kennmoor Road). At end, TL and TR into Court Lane. TL onto B3130 (Avon Cycleway NCN 41) and TR into All Saints Lane. TR on B3124 and 2nd right into Nortons Wood Lane The cycleway is followed via Clapton in Gordano and Pill and across the M5 Avon Bridge. From here there are at least 2 NCN routes (10 and 41) to "old" Severn bridge (neither is direct; minor roads (B4057 / B4055) are fairly quiet).

Whichever route you take, you end up on M48 east side near Chepstow. The A466 could be taken to Monmouth but it's a busy road. TR at A466 junction (J2) and TL into Thornwell/Bulwark Road. When this meets the A48, TR into Chepstow. Cross river Wye and follow B4228 and A4136 to Monmouth (hilly!). Cross A40 and TL into Monnow Street. TR onto B4233. After 1.8 miles bear R onto B4347 and follow to B4348 junction. TL and continue to Dorstone where TR(25% hill). TL onto B4352 to Bredwardine where TR and TL to A438. Shortly after Letton, TR and follow minor roads via Almeley, Staunton, Lingen to Bucknell(B4367, enjoy “Tea In The Sticks”). In Bedstone TL and follow minor road to Hopton Castle and B4385. TL and continue to its junction with B4368. SO and rejoin B4385 in Kempton where TL. After 1.8 miles (on sharp LH bend), SO into Eyton. TR to Plowden and A489. In under 400 yards TL sharply and continue via Asterton to Bridges (scenic! you may prefer to follow river via Eaton and Wentnor).

Continue N via Pulverbatch and TL between Longden and Annscroft to Cruckmeole (A488). SO across B4386. Just before Ford, TR onto A458 and 1st L (B4473). When this meets B4380, TL and follow minor roads from Forton to Baschurch. TR onto B4397 and follow to Burlton (A528). TR and 1st L to Noneley and Tilley where B5476 is followed into Wem. Continue on B5476 to Whitchurch. At N edge of town, take B5395 towards Chester (briefly it becomes A41). In Malpas bear R on B5069 to Hampton Heath. SO A41 to A534 (Gallantry Bank) and TL to pass near Peckforton Castle. TL onto A49 and when it bears L after 1 mile, SO towards Eaton, Little Budworth (Oulton Park) to Whitegate where TL to cross A556 and TR onto A559 into Northwich (TIO).

Bear L onto B5075 to A559. Continue SO via Great Budworth and Bate Heath to High Legh. SO A50 onto B5159 which is followed to its junction with A57. Here TL, TR(Chapel Lane) and TR again(School Lane). TL by war memorial into Dam Lane. After 0.7 miles (unsigned) TR to B5212. TL and continue to A574 junction. TL to Culcheth. In middle of town bear R onto B5207. Follow this for 3.6 miles across East Lancs Road (A580) into Lowton. TR into Slag Lane. Immediately after crossing Leeds/Liverpool Canal TL into Crankwood Road. Eventually this becomes a rideable farm track leading to A573. TR via Abram and bear R onto A58 into Hindley. After centre of town (when A58 bears R) TL past railway station to B5239 junction. TL and just beyond Aspull follow minor roads towards A6(N and W of Blackrod). Cross A6 and M61 into Grimeford Village. Follow minor roads parallel to motorway into Chorley. TR (Eaves Lane) at first major RO.

Follow the route to Brampton described in the Youth Hostels/B&B routes. When in Appleby do not follow the NCN 68 signs unless you want to double the miles (4) to Dufton!

Leave Brampton on A6071 and follow this to Gretna. Join B721 (NCN 7) and after Annan, TL onto B724 and later TL onto B725 past Caerlaverock Castle into Dumfries. In the middle of Dumfries NCN 7 runs along the E bank of the Nith. Continue N and when it divides follow "KM Trail" signs. These should lead to a cycle path on the E side of A76. After 1 mile TL into New Bridge and follow the B729 and A702 (or minor roads to S) to Moniave(enjoy “Green Tea House”). SO to rejoin B729 to its junction with A713 in Carsphairn.

TR and continue for 16 miles. TR onto B730, which is followed for over 20 miles to Dreghorn. TL onto B7081 (quicker than parallel cycle path). NCN7 can be picked where A737 crosses river Irvine. After crossing A78 (2miles), TL onto NCN73 which is followed to Ardrossan for Arran ferry.

TR off ferry and follow A841 to Lochranza and ferry to Claonaig. Take B8001 and TR onto A83

at Kennacraig. Follow this for 18.5 miles to Lochgilphead. As A83 bends right, SO onto A816 and follow this for 37 miles to Oban ferry terminal. Ferry to Craignure on Mull. TR off ferry and follow A848/A849 to Tobermory. Ferry to Kilchoan on Ardnamurchan Peninsula. From ferry TR onto B8007 and follow this to Salen. TL onto A861 and follow to A830 junction at Lochailort. TL and follow A830 to Mallaig(some 2004 maps do not show new road from Arisaig). Ferry to Armadale on Skye.

From Armadale follow A851 to A87 junction near Broadford. TR and continue to Skye bridge (now toll-free). TL at X'rds in Kyle of Lochalsh and follow minor roads to Erbusaig and Duirinish. TL and TR at top of village (not towards Plockton) and follow minor roads to Achmore and A890. TL and follow for 27 miles to Achnasheen. TR onto A832 and A835 for 23 miles to Contin. TL on A834 via Strathpeffer and just before level crossing in Dingwall, TL into Bridgend Avenue/Old Evanton Road.

Continue on the Youth Hostels/B&B routes to John O'Groats. Roughly the same route is used by NCN 1, which has quieter alternatives to A836 between Reay and JOG. True cyclists should finish outside the lighthouse on Duncansby Head!

Approximate Line Of Route