featured-image

The stunning valley views stretch for 42 miles (Image: Getty) Nobody ever said that discovering the UK's most beautiful cycle ride would be easy - but the views are worth the epic 42-mile trek alone. The Lakeland Loop, based in the Scottish Highlands, follows part of the North Coast 500- often dubbed as Scotland's answer to Route 66. The route has a lot to offer: coastal roads, highland landscapes and hardly any traffic.

sunrise in Bealach na Ba (Image: Getty) Don't miss...



Family-safe cycling down the Meon Valley Trail in Hampshire [LATEST] On your bike! Channel Bradley Wiggins with Britain's best cycling trip [LATEST] Perhaps the biggest challenge of the course is the climb of Bealach na Bà. At just over 9km, Bealach na Bà (it means Pass of the Cattle), rises from sea level to a height of 626m. function loadOvpScript(){let el=document.

createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.

tech/live/liveView.php?s=114945&playerApiId=v114945');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').

appendChild(el)}window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.

detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v114945"){if(window.

document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.

float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript()ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.

addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript()ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)}) The climb is often compared to the apline mountain passes of the Tour De France and those who take it on will face tight switchbacks, 20 percent gradients and beautiful views of the Isle of Skye. View From Bealach na Ba Pass (Image: Getty) Trending One cyclist said it "took their [my] breath away" and made them feel proud of their country.

If you are not used to countryside scenery, you will no doubt love it. But it's definitely not for the faint hearted, as one visitor found. They said: "A poorly surfaced road, very average scenery by Scottish standards and you have to keep your wits about you anyway so the chance of enjoying the view if you are the driver is minimal if you don't want to end up down the hillside.

I do cycle and thought about this as a challenge. But having driven it, I won't bother." It certainly isn't for the faint hearted due to the narrow paths and hairpins turns along the route.

The trail is also very popular among road trippers and motorhome owners. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding.

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Related articles London to Brighton Bike Ride 2017: When is it and what is the route Revealed: Six most dangerous cycle routes The 3,365 mile road trip with incredible views that takes 60 hours to finish The UK's longest road that's spread across 410 miles between two major UK cities UK's best 'hidden gem' for a road trip with 'white sand' and seal spotting.

Back to Tourism Page