Etape Loch Ness
Sunday
25 April 2027
06:00
Start time
17+
Minimum age
The UK’s largest closed-road sportive, giving you the rare chance to tackle 66 miles on traffic-free roads around the world-famous loch. This spectacular 360° route starts and finishes in Inverness and features 900m of ascent, combining a rewarding challenge with unforgettable scenery.
Event details:
Start Line: Bught Park, Bught Road (IV3 5SQ)
Baggage: No baggage facility is available.
The course
Starting at Bught Park in Inverness, the route crosses the Caledonian Canal and heads out along the A82 towards Drumnadrochit, with rolling roads and spectacular views across Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle.
Participants continue along the A82 to Fort Augustus before tackling the iconic King/Queen of the Mountain climb to the Glendoe Summit – a challenging 4.8 mile (7.7km) ascent gaining 380m. From the summit, a scenic descent leads to the village of Foyers, followed by a series of short climbs and rolling roads along the quieter southern shores of Loch Ness.
The final miles pass through Dores before a last climb back into Inverness to follow the River Ness to the finish line beside Inverness Cathedral.
There are four support stations, offering water, snacks, toilets, first aid, and mechanical support:
Mile 15: Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit
Mile 27: Invermoriston
Mile 42: Wildside Centre, Whitebridge
Mile 54.5: Between Inverfarigaig and Dores
We recommend starting with two full bottles and energy supplies. Mechanical support is available, but riders should be self-sufficient - carry a pump, puncture kit, tyre levers, and spare tubes.
Entry Includes
- Finisher's medal (optional)
- Finisher's giveaway (optional)
- Chip timing
- Mechanical support
- Support stations along the route
- KOM/QOM split time
- Digital finisher's certificate
Cut-off time
The closed-road cut-off is based on a minimum average speed of 13mph, giving riders up to 5 hours 38 minutes from the final wave start. After this, the route reopens to traffic. Riders may continue but must follow normal road rules. If you’re unable to finish, a sweep vehicle will return you and your bike to the Event Hub.
FAQs
See allRoad bikes are preferable, however it is possible to take part on gravel, mountain, hybrid touring bikes and tandem bikes are also acceptable.
Please note that fixed wheel bikes are not permitted. Please refer to General Terms & Conditions for list of bikes that are not permitted.
An electric bike or Ebike is permitted, provided it is a UK road legal bike with maximum electro speed of 15.5 mph (25 kph) and rated power output of 250 watts or less.
A recumbent bicycle or trike is permitted however riders will be required to have a head height safety flag attached to the bicycle.
Bikes which are not of standard design must be approved by the organisers prior to the event. The organisers reserve the right to withdraw a participant from the event if their bike is considered, in the organiser’s opinion, to represent a danger to the cyclist or other participants.
Standard handlebars only. No aero/tri bars, clip-ons or similar. MTB bar ends are allowed.
Yes, UK safety standard required.
Yes, enter the same Team Name and estimated finish time (based on the slowest rider).
Yes, both riders must enter individually with the same Team Name and estimated time.
No headphones of any kind. Stop safely if you need to use your phone.
Yes on Saturday 24 April, 10:00–19:00 at the Event Hub (bring photo ID). If you can’t attend, someone can collect for you with their ID and your signed permission. There is no collection on event morning.