Highlights
On foot
Trail run or hike briskly through beautiful and rugged Scottish landscapes and when the sun is out, you'll enjoy the most fantastic views imaginable!
By bike
Challenging climbs, sweeping descents, lochside roads and muddy trails — shifting gears through Scotland’s wild terrain, battling wind, grit, and your limits.
Over water
Reach the finish via the legendary Loch Ness, enjoying a flat-water paddle to finish your 100-mile achievement!
Overview
This breathtaking 100-mile route takes in some of the most mysterious and wild locations in Scotland.
Run, bike and kayak past the historic Cawdor Castle, the legendary Loch Ness and the mountainous Glen Nevis and Glen Coe. This unforgiving Highland terrain and weather breeds tough folk and when you sign up to this Coast to Coast you’ll find out why.
Key info
- 12-13 September 2026
- Cawdor Castle to Loch Ness
- 1-day or 2-day formats
- 21 miles trail run + 78 miles mixed cycling + 1 mile kayak
Highlights
- Traverse Scotland east to west through Glen Coe, Glen Nevis, past Loch Ness, and under high mountain ridges
- A true multi-sport adventure — not a race, but a journey through varied landscapes and shifting weather
- The drama and remoteness of the Highlands make each mile feel earned
- Fully waymarked, 4×4 and medics, mountain safety, water safety crew
- Support and safety you can trust — local expertise, contingency planning, medical cover
- Sustainability built in — wooden medals, minimal single-use plastic, local catering
- Audited to BS8848 expedition safety standard
In pictures
Adventure video
- Mountain
- Forest
- Solo
- Couples
Is this for you?
This is not a casual weekend outing — it’s a serious multi-sport endurance challenge. But if you are determined, train-worthy, and mentally resilient, it's absolutely within reach.
You'll need to:
- Be comfortable with trail running (20–30 km) and road/off-road cycling (50–120 km on mixed surfaces)
- Have experience with long days in the saddle and transitions (run, bike, run, paddle)
- Be ready for Scottish Highland weather — wind, rain, cold — and pack accordingly
- Be okay carrying nutrition, spare kit, and dealing with potential adversity (flat tyres, tough climbs)
Not sure? Get in touch for advice.
FAQs
How fit do I need to be? You should be a decent cyclist with good trail running experience for the one day. A good base level of general fitness is all that's needed for the two day challenge.
Can I use different shoes for each stage? Yes - you can carry your shoes in your backpack.
What happens if I miss a cut-off? You will be transported forward by one of the support vehicles.
Can I hire a bike? Yes, but they have limited stock so book early.
Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Hill
- Mountain
- Forest
- Beach
- Lake
- Bus
The journey
You arrive at Cawdor Castle on Friday afternoon, greeted by rolling hills and the buzz of anticipation. Bikes are being prepped, kit laid out, and fellow adventurers share that blend of nerves and excitement that comes just before something big. The Highland air is cool and charged — it begins!
At dawn, you set off on a 7-mile trail run, weaving through forest and open moor, mist still clinging to the glens. Then the bike leg begins — 44 miles of road, 20 miles of off-road, and another push on tarmac. You ride past lochs, climb winding hills, and tear through muddy tracks. It’s a test of endurance, and you feel every mile.
You reach the final challenge — a 14-mile mountain trek through rugged, rising terrain. With each step, you fight fatigue and gain perspective: vast views, deep silence, the wildness of Scotland all around. Then, finally, you hit Loch Ness. A 1-mile kayak lies between you and the finish.
As you paddle the calm waters, exhaustion gives way to something else — clarity, pride, and relief. You cross the line, smiling and forever changed! Whether you finish in one epic day or break the journey overnight in Invergarry, the feeling is the same: you did it.
Complete in One day
Suitable for those who want to go hard and test themselves over rugged terrain.
- Run 7 miles
- Road cycle 44 miles
- Off road cycle 20 miles
- Road cycle 14 miles
- Mountain trek/run 14 miles
- Kayak to the finish 1 mile
The one-day challenge is a mammoth undertaking. Especially if the prevailing wind tries to blow you back to the start line. Bike selection and your nutrition plan are very important to give you the best chance of completion.
The cut offs are fixed and you will be taking on a very challenging mountain run after a draining cycle ride. Successful finishing times on the one day challenge range from 8 hours in calm conditions to 14 hours in heavy weather.
Complete in two days
Very achievable for people who are looking for the perfect adventure weekend.
Arrange overnight accommodation around Fort Augustus or Invergarry in advance. There's also an event campsite at the finish line of day 1 you can book.
Day 1
- Run 7 miles
- Road cycle 44 miles
- Off road cycle 8 miles
- Road cycle 1 mile
- End of day 1 finish at Invergarry
Day 2
- Day 2 starts in Invergarry
- Road cycle 1 mile
- Off road cycle 11 miles
- On road cycle 14 miles
- Mountain trek/run 14 miles
- Kayak to the finish 1 mile
- Equipment
- Guides
- Bike transfers
Included
- Kayak and equipment
- Fully waymarked route
- Luggage transport
- Route safety, medical, support crew
- Finishers medal and swag
Optional extras
- Bike (hire available)
- Accommodation for 2-day participants
- Coach/event transfers (bookable)
- Any personal kit not on mandatory list
- Meals beyond what’s provided (if applicable)
Trip leader
Rob is a Mountain Leader, a Sea Kayak Leader and maintains high-level Advanced Wilderness Life Support qualifications alongside health and safety, risk management and other qualifications, including an MBA from a previous life!
- Age 18 & over
- Refund Protect
- Pay in instalments
Age
16 and 17 year olds will be considered on an individual basis, if taking part with a responsible adult.
You're covered
- Interest-free instalment plan
- Free transfer to some other events up to 1 month before
- Optional Refund Protect at checkout
Costs
Solo One Day
Balance
£300.00
Solo Two Day
Balance
£350.00
Meeting point
Cawdor Castle
Nairn
Highland
IV12 5RD
UK
Helpful logistics
- Registration point | Cawdor Castle, Nairn IV12 5RD
- Registration window | Friday before event 10am-10pm
- Shuttle/bus transfers | Available to/from start/finish to Inverness &/or between event zones (book early)
- Nearest airport/transport hub | Inverness — taxis / public transport onward
- Recommended evening before/after | consider staying overnight near Cawdor or Inverness
This was my first adventure race! … I felt safe … during the event thanks to all the marshals … it did feel fairly easy compared to what I was expecting.
It was a weekend that I will never forget and am proud to have completed.
- Carbon offset
- Plastic bottle free
Sustainability promise
- race t-shirts to be collected at the event and not shipped across the world
- wooden medals instead of metal
- phasing out single-use plastics
- local event catering
- tighter recycling activities
How to book
To find out more or book, please provide your details here.