Great North Trail full route to Cape Wrath

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756 mi
56,660 ft
67h36
Extreme

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Route information

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Last verified: 28 October 2024

Description by the author

A long-distance off-road trail from the Peak District to Cape Wrath.

Explore the huge variety packed into Scotland and northern England: from rolling hills and dales to remote windswept moorland, crumbling castles to hidden waterfalls, from swooping singletrack to old Roman roads and everything in between.

The route is designed to be an adventure mountain biking route, and is mainly on unsurfaced trails. The nature of the terrain varies in different areas - there are many rugged upland trails across exposed moorland, suitable for more experienced mountain bikers, but also short sections of canal path and disused railway perfect for family days out.

The Great North Trail links the Pennine Bridleway with the northern tips of mainland Scotland, through some of Britain’s most stunning upland areas and four National Parks.

So whether it’s for an epic long-distance challenge, a weekend away, or a fantastic day out, get out there and have an adventure.

Source

Source: © CTC 2019

More information

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Route origin

Route description

Region

Statistics

Difficulty level: Extreme (100/100)

Length: 756 mi

Duration: 67h36


Total ascent: 56,660 ft

Maximal slope: 65.7 %

Average slope: 0 %

Net ascent: -702 ft

Total descent: 57,362 ft

Roads and subsoil

Paved roads: 262 mi (35 %)

Cobblestones: 0 ft (0 %)

Bike paths: 397 mi (53 %)

Scenery

Car free roads: 385 mi (51 %)

Noise pollution

Amount of traffic


Natural area

Urban area

Water rich area

Characteristics

    Themes

      Groups

        Start and end of the route

        Closest address to start: High Peak Trail, Derbyshire Dales, United Kingdom
        Closest address to end: Cape Wrath Lighthouse Road, Highland, United Kingdom

        Navigate to starting point

        Places of interest

        1. Cromford Mill

          0 · Municipality
          Cromford Mill is the world's first water-powered cotton spinning mill, developed by Richard …
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        2. Youlgreave

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          Youlgreave or Youlgrave listen is a village and civil parish in the Peak District of Derbyshire, …
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        3. High Peak Trail

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          The High Peak Trail is a 17-mile trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders in the Peak …
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        4. Arbor Low

          0 · Archeological site
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        5. Winnats Pass

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        6. Mermaid's Pool

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        7. Huddersfield Narrow Canal

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        8. Standedge Tunnels

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        9. Todmorden

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        10. Stoodley Pike

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        11. Hebden Bridge

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        12. Boulsworth Hill

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        13. Ponden Hall

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        14. Wycoller

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        15. River Swale

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        16. Hartley Castle

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        17. Brough Castle

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        18. Appleby-in-Westmorland

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        19. Appleby Castle

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        20. Whitley Castle

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        21. Haltwhistle

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        22. Sycamore Gap

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        23. Kielder Water

          0 · Lake
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        24. Shankend

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        25. Traquair House

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        26. Great Polish Map of Scotland

          0 · Tourist attraction
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        27. Rosslyn Chapel

          0 · Chapel

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        28. Craiglockhart Castle

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        29. University of Edinburgh

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        30. Dalry

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        31. Edinburgh

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        32. Greyfriars Kirkyard

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        33. Heriot-Watt University

          0 · School
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        34. Linlithgow Palace

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        35. Falkirk Wheel

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        36. Glasgow

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        37. University of Glasgow Memorial Gates

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        38. Glasgow Botanic Gardens

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        39. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

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        40. Glenlee

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        41. Dumgoyne

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        42. Glengoyne distillery

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        43. Strathyre

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        44. Rob Roy Way

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        45. Moirlanich Longhouse

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        46. Càrn Gorm

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        47. Corrour railway station

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        48. Corrour Lodge

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        49. Scottish Highlands

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        50. Caledonian Forest

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        51. Cherry Island

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        52. Battle of Drumchatt

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        53. Battle of Bealach nam Broig

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        54. Alladale Wilderness Reserve

          0 · Motel
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        55. Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach

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        56. Ben Hope

          0 · POI
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        57. Loch Eriboll

          0 · Fjord
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        58. Smoo Cave

          0 · Cave
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