North Coast 500 anti clockwise from Inverness
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 24-03-2025
Route Summary No amount of pictures or words could fully convey just how utterly fantastic this route is. My wife and I rode our motorcycles on most of this route in May 2016 and again with friends in May 2024 the memories are still very clear. We could easily return again, it is that nice!
For obvious reasons this route gets top marks from me so I have awarded 5***** stars.
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Verdict
Duration
21h 8m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
812.86 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The NC500 is recognised as one of the world's greatest road trips and must be on every serious traveller's list of places to visit.
Some hardcore motorcyclists like to 'bag' this route in one day! Personally, I think this route and the absolutely breathtaking scenery, deserves a more leisurely ride with a minimum of two nights but better with three nights. I have included links below for three accommodation suggestions, I can recommend them all.
Because of the geographical location, most people will need to travel a fair distance to complete the NC500, therefore I will pass on the knowledge that I have gained from riding the NC500 twice, once in 2016 with just my wife (2 motorcycles) and again in 2024 (wife and friends 3 motorcycles), both times I choose the month of May.
We had a heatwave in 2016 where parts of the road surfaces were melting and in 2024 the weather was mainly dry and sunny with just two mornings having light misty rain or smirr as it is called in Scotland, it was sunny and clear by mid morning. On both occasions we saw no midges and hardly any traffic on the roads. Because of the remoteness, I've seen many questions asking about fuel, there are more than enough fuel stations and even those with the smallest tanks will not have any problems.
Every coloured route point contains a photo to give you a better idea of what the NC500 is like, But no amount of pictures or words could fully convey just how utterly beautiful and fantastic this route is. Allow yourself plenty of time, there are so many beautiful, breathtakingly panoramas that you'll want to stop often.
The NC500 has it's own very good website with lots of information, I have placed a link for this below.
I have also included a link to a video from John O'Groats to Durness that I shot on our tour in May, 2016.
If you wanted to, you could combine a trip to the beautiful and mysterious Isle of Skye after you have been to Applecross. If you copy and paste the web address below into your browser it will open the RouteXpert route for Skye.
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/motor-and-car-routes/gb/Scotland/5404087/Isle-of-Skye-roundtrip-from-Dornie
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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