Day 1 –five miles of cycling.

Our trip starts in Oban, where we will gather before boarding the ferry to the Outer Hebrides. Once on the ferry, we will chat about the trip and get to know each other better.

The ferry lands in Castlebay on Barra in the early evening, so we’ll get straight on our bikes for the short ride to the island of Vatersay, where we will wild camp just behind the beach at the Vatersay Community Centre (toilets and showers open 24 hours).

Day 2 –nineteen miles of cycling.

We have to make an early start on our first full day of riding as we have a ferry to catch! Once we’re packed and on our bikes we start our journey north by cycling back across Vatersay (Island number 1) and across the causeway back to Barra. We then cycle the length of Barra (island number 2), making sure we stop occasionally to enjoy the incredible views and golden sandy beaches. The ferry crossing is short and takes us to the tiny island of Eriskay (island number 3!), which won’t take us very long to cycle across! One last causeway takes us to the significantly larger island of South Uist (island number 4), and our campsite for the night.

Day 3 –thirty miles of cycling.

Day three is our longest day, but with no ferries to worry about there’s also no rush! We will spend most of the day cycling north up South Uist. The route weaves between ancient thatched crofts and small lochans (look out for the bird life), dipping in and out to the coast occasionally for those golden sandy beaches. We won’t be rushing today, but instead enjoying the journey. Near the end of our journey, we will cross the causeway that takes us to Benbecula (island number 5) and our planned campsite by the beach.

Day 4 –twenty-four miles of cycling.

Benbecula won’t take us long to cycle across, although we will spend some time off the bikes in Balivanich which has shops and cafes to restock and refresh ourselves. Then we have two causeways to cross (don’t forget to look for Otters), the first taking us to the tiny island of Grimsay which we pass over in under a kilometre (island number 6) and straight onto North Uist (island number 7). Our campsite for the night is on a nature reserve, set on the most incredible crescent-shaped sandy bay. It is idyllic!

Day 5 –twenty-nine miles of cycling.

Day five has our second ferry crossing, so once again it has to be an early start. The cycling is pleasant though (we saw sea eagles on our recce trip!) with a great rest point in the village of Sollas which has a well-stocked village store and a picnic site. The ferry crossing to Harris is longer, and the views are beautiful as the boat weaves in and out of the skerries and islands. The island of Harris (island number 8) can come as a bit of a shock after five days of cycling the smaller islands. The road has two lanes and there are so many houses! We quickly leave the busyness of Leverburgh behind us and after a short climb and a sweeping downhill, we reach our campsite for the night, which more than makes up for the culture shock. The campsite is set amongst the dunes, looking across to Luskentyre Beach, making this the perfect spot for a campfire on the beach.

Day 6 –eleven miles of cycling.

Today is our last day on the bikes, and our last day on the islands. Once on the road, we have to cross the hills to Tarbert – look out for the peat cutters on the climb up! The downhill into Tarbert is the last of the cycling for this trip. We’ll have time to spare in Tarbert to explore the gift shops or to visit the famous Harris gin distillery. Our evening ferry takes us across to the Isle of Skye, where we will spend the night in the Uig campsite.

Day 7

All that is left to do today is pack up the tents one last time and meet the shuttle vehicles that will pick us up and transport bikes and passengers back to Oban. On the journey across Skye and through the highlands you’ll have time to reflect on the incredible expedition you’ve completed and exchange contact details with new friends. You did it!

 

The trip price includes

• Six days of guided cycling along the Hebridean Way.
• A qualified and experienced female leader.
• An all-female team of six to eight women to keep you company!
• Ferry tickets to and from the Outer Hebrides.
• Ferry tickets between the Islands.
• Six nights campsite accommodation.
• Transfers for you and your bike back to Oban at the end of the trip.
• Support and advice before the trip to help you choose equipment and food.

The trip price does not include

• Your bike or panniers. Details of a local hire company will be provided in your booking email.
• Equipment – although we may be able to arrange the hire of camping equipment from the Gloucestershire Women’s Adventure Group (Love Her Wild) for a small donation – please email us to check.
• Food or drink for the duration of your trip.
• Car parking in Oban, or transport to the trip meeting point.
• Personal Travel Insurance

This is a camping-based adventure, and we will be carrying all our kit with us on our bikes.

You will need

• All of the equipment listed on our cycling kit list, including panniers.
• All of the equipment that is listed on our camping kit list. Your tent MUST be a small one or two-person backpacking tent to comply with campsite rules.
• Panniers to carry all your kit. Waterproof panniers are best!
• Food for the duration of your trip – there are shops on the islands where we can re-stock along the route. Full details we be provided before the trip.
• Spending money to treat yourself at trailside shops and cafes along the route.

You can find all our sample kit lists here, and detailed kit lists will be sent out by email after you have booked your adventure with us.