Route library · Highlands, Scotland
The North Coast 500
Five days round the top of Scotland from Inverness: the Bealach na Bà, Torridon, Assynt, the far north coast and John o’ Groats.5 days · 4 nights · starts in Inverness, finishes in Inverness
Best months: May to Nov, when every pass on it is normally open. For: cars and motorcycles.
The planner works out real road distances and daily driving times, adds hotels along the way and lets you change any stop.Inverness to Torridon
West through Achnasheen to Lochcarron, up the Bealach na Bà to Applecross, then the coast road round by Shieldaig to Torridon.
Passes and roads: North Coast 500 · Bealach na Bà
- The Torridon · Wester Ross · car parking · Check rooms
Torridon to Ullapool
Along Loch Maree and past Gairloch and the Inverewe gardens, round Little Loch Broom to Ullapool.
Passes and roads: North Coast 500
We haven’t checked a hotel here yet. Browse hotels in Ullapool and check the parking before you book.
Ullapool to Durness
North into Assynt past Stac Pollaidh and Suilven, the single-track coast road by Drumbeg, then Kylesku and Scourie to Durness.
Passes and roads: North Coast 500
We haven’t checked a hotel here yet. Browse hotels in Durness and check the parking before you book.
Durness to John o’ Groats
The empty far north coast: Loch Eriboll, Tongue and Bettyhill to Thurso and Dunnet Head, mainland Britain’s most northerly point.
Passes and roads: North Coast 500
We haven’t checked a hotel here yet. Browse hotels in John o’ Groats and check the parking before you book.
John o’ Groats to Inverness
South down the east coast by Wick, the Berriedale braes and Dornoch, back over the Black Isle to Inverness.
Passes and roads: North Coast 500
Before you go
Check each pass is open on the day, and read our travel advice for the rules and kit where you’re going. More routes
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