Loch Loyal & Loch Hope loop from Tongue

Bike touring routes & trails

United Kingdom

Scotland

Tongue

Loch Loyal & Loch Hope loop from Tongue

Hard

5.0

(1)

riders

Loch Loyal & Loch Hope loop from Tongue

05:26

86.4km

940m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 6, 2024

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

8.42 km

Loch Loyal

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

A freshwater loch nestled amongst the dramatic northern Highlands, Loch Loyal is a beautiful spot. At its deepest, the loch drops to about 200 feet (61 m). Surrounded by Beinn Stumanadh, Ben Hiel, and Cnoc nan Cuilean, the loch is popular with hikers. It is also home to thousands of greylag geese and black-throated divers.

Tip by

43.2 km

Dun Dornaigil Broch

Highlight • Historical Site

Brochs are highly impressive prehistoric buildings, unique to Scotland and found mainly in the north and west. These stone roundhouses date from around 400-200 BC. This broch may have belonged to a wealthy family, demonstrating control of the glen.

Tip by

70.8 km

Kyle of Tongue Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The Kyle of Tongue Bridge is part of the Kyle of Tongue Causeway crossing the Kyle of Tongue sea loch. Built in 1971 to carry the A838, the road from Thurso to Durness, across the loch. The causeway is 3.8 kilometres long; the 183-metre-long bridge is at the western end and it has eighteen spans supported by twin piers.

Tip by

77.2 km

Moine House (Ruin)

Highlight • Historical Site

Moine House (ruin) is a a striking sight between Hope and Tongue.
Earliest known roadside refuge that wasn't an inn in the Highlands- built to serve travellers crossing the high ground and morass of the Moine.
The Moine, or A’ Mhoine, is a large and desolate expanse of heather and peat bog in north Sutherland between Tongue and Loch Hope
In 1830 the Marquis of Stafford had a road built over the bog to make travel easier, and Moine House was erected as a half-way stop. The building was occupied by a family who provided shelter for weary travellers. All that remains now are the walls, and notably two large gables which give it a strong profile. The A838 road skirts the house and the old road on the north side.

Tip by

86.4 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

42.1 km

34.7 km

9.38 km

368 m

Surfaces

83.6 km