The best cycling routes around Loch Hope

There are 4 touring cycling routes currently available around Loch Hope on komoot, offering a range of experiences from moderate coastal paths to challenging mountain routes.

The terrain around Loch Hope is characterized by remote, unclassified single-track roads. You'll cycle through moorland, lovely birch woodland, and along the Strathmore River. Expect varied landscapes, from lochside views to mountain backdrops, with some routes climbing onto the vast blanket bog of the Flow Country.

Yes, there are several circular touring cycling routes. For example, the Loch Loyal & Loch Hope loop from Tongue offers a challenging 86 km ride, while the View of Ceannabeinne Beach – View of Sango Sands Beach loop from Ceannabeinne is a moderate 14.8 km coastal option.

The routes around Loch Hope cater to various skill levels. You'll find one moderate route, such as the View of Ceannabeinne Beach – View of Sango Sands Beach loop from Ceannabeinne, and three difficult routes, including the challenging Allt Horn Waterfall – View of Ben Stack loop from Strathmore River.

For families looking for a shorter, less strenuous ride, the View of Sango Sands Beach – Durness Beach loop from Smoo Cave is an easy 9.1 km coastal trail, often completed in about 35 minutes. It offers pleasant coastal views and is suitable for a relaxed family outing.

While cycling, you can visit the impressive Dun Dornaigil Broch, a significant prehistoric building located at the neck of Loch Hope. Further along the Strathmore River, you can explore The Rob Donn Trail, which features information boards about the 18th-century poet Rob Donn Mackay and the history of Strathmore.

Car parks are dotted along the routes, particularly near Loch Hope itself, providing convenient access points for cyclists. The unclassified road along the east side of Loch Hope, stretching from the hamlet of Hope to Altnaharra, also offers opportunities for parking to explore the area.

The elevation gains vary significantly depending on the route. For instance, the Allt Horn Waterfall – View of Ben Stack loop from Strathmore River involves over 1200 meters of ascent, making it a challenging ride. Other routes, like the View of Sango Sands Beach – Durness Beach loop from Smoo Cave, have more modest climbs of around 137 meters.

The touring cycling routes in Loch Hope are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars from over 4 reviews. Cyclists often praise the remote and wild nature of the area, the stunning lochside views, and the dramatic mountain backdrops provided by peaks like Ben Hope.

Yes, Ben Hope, Scotland's most northerly Munro, provides a dramatic backdrop to many of the routes. The Allt Horn Waterfall – View of Ben Stack loop from Strathmore River specifically offers views of Ben Stack and follows the Strathmore River through landscapes dominated by these impressive mountains.

You'll encounter a diverse range of natural features, including the long, narrow Loch Hope itself with its sandy shores, the towering Ben Hope, and expansive moorland. The routes also traverse lovely birch woodland and parts of the vast blanket bog known as the Flow Country, offering a true escape into wild nature.

Absolutely. Loch Hope is renowned for its sea trout and salmon fishing, making it an ideal spot to combine cycling with angling. The area's remote and wild character also lends itself to hiking, particularly to Ben Hope, which can be accessed from Strath More.