Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday all you need to know from the Hebridean Way start point, Hebridean Way Itinerary, Hebridean Way Accommodation, Bike supplies and so much more!
A mini guide to planning your amazing Hebridean Way Cycling holiday with what we have learnt and know about cycling this amazing route in the remote and gorgeous Hebridean Isles.
How long is the Hebridean Way Cycle Route?
Taking the official route of the Hebridean Way cycle will see you peddling at least 185 miles (297km).
Where does the Hebridean Way Cycle Route start and finish?
The official route of the Hebridean Way cycle starts on the tiny island of Vatersay just off the coast of Barra. The finish of your Hebridean Way cycle holiday will be the tip of the island of Lewis, the Butt of Lewis.
How many islands make up the Hebridean Way Cycle?
10 islands make up the Hebridean Way cycling holiday. From south to north these are Vatersay, Barra, Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecular, Grimsay, North Uist, Berneray, Harris and Lewis.
All you need to know when planning your Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday – read on
How many causeways make up the Hebridean Way Cycle Holiday?
6 causeways make up the Hebridean Way cycle Holidays
How many inter-island ferries make up the Hebridean Way Cycle Holiday?
There are two inter-island ferries which make up the Hebridean Way cycling trip. Don’t forget also there is a ferry from Oban to Barra, and Stornoway to Ullapool, the start and finish of your trips and the way you get back to mainland Scotland. So two more ferries!
How long does it take to cycle the Hebridean Way?
Depending on how much road you wish to cover and how much time you want to leave either side of cycling for exploring the amazing places enroute with the Hebridean Way, we recommend you take at least 6 days to cycle the full Hebridean Way. When you add on getting to the start at Vatersay and leaving Ullapool, then realistically the Hebridean Way is an amazing 8 days. If you want to travel at a more leisurely pace perfect, there is so much to explore on the Hebridean Way that this will be a wise decision.
Suggested itinerary for cycling the Hebridean Way?
The Official Hebridean Way Leaflet has the following suggested itinerary.
- Day 1 Hebridean Way – Vatersay and Barra (13 miles/ 21km)
- Day 2 Hebridean Way – Eriskay and South Uist (32 miles/ 50km)
- Day 3 Hebridean Way – Benbecula and Grimsay (13 miles/ 21km)
- Day 4 Hebridean Way – North Uist and Berneray (32 miles / 51km)
- Day 5 Hebridean Way – Harris (33 miles / 54km)
- Day 6 Hebridean Way – Lewis (62 miles / 100km
Our Hebridean Way Holiday Cycling Itinerary
- Day 1 – Travel Inverness to Glasgow by train (booked bikes onto train in advance to ensure spaces)
- Day 2 – Travel Glasgow to Oban by train (booked bikes onto train in advance to ensure spaces)
- Day 2 – Travel Oban to Castlebay, Barra by ferry (no need to book but you can if you wish)
- Day 3 – Day on Barra visit the start at Vatersay and explore the Island of Vatersay and Barra (Accommodation Dunard Hostel)
- Day 4 – Early morning ferry from, Barra to Lochboisdale, South Uist (Distance 26 miles) (Accommodation South Uist Hostel)
- Day 5 – Lochboisdale, South Uist to Daibury to Clachan, North Uist (Distance 31 miles) (Accommodation Bernaray Hostel)
- Day 6 – Clachan, North Uist to Berneray (Distance 20 miles) then onto the inter-island Ferry to Leverburgh, Harris (Accommodation B&B)
- Day 7 – Leverburgh to Tarbert (21 miles), Tarbert to Luirbost (27miles) (Accommodation Kershader Youth Hostel)
- Day 8 – Luibost to Callanish Stones, Lewis back to Stornoway (35miles) (Accommodation B&B)
- Day 9 – Stornoway to Ullapool, ferry. Bus, Ullapool to Inverness and pick up the van.
Why does the Hebridean Way travel south to north?
The prevailing wind of the Outer Webrides is determined by the Gulf Stream which is predominantly from the south. It is always easier and more of a pleasure to cycle with the prevailing wind behind you giving you a helping hand on your journey. This is why when cycling the Hebridean Way it is best to travel from the south to the north.
The Hebrides are exposed, expect a wind! Cycle south to north, then hopefully the wind will be behind you!
Accommodation on the Hebridean Way?
From Pods, to Youth Hostels, from B&Bs to Hotels there certainly is a great array of accomodation on the islands of the Hebridean Way. We strongly recommend that in the summer months you book your accommodation in advance to ensure you have a comfortable bed for the night. Whether you like to sleep in 5 star luxury or like us are happy with pods and youth hostels, rooms can fill up fast along the Hebridean Way.
Cycle hire on the Hebridean Way?
Yes there are a few companies currently hiring bikes for those wishing to cycle the Hebridean Way.
Barra Bikes (conveniently located on Barra where you will first arrive if travelling from South to North), or why not contact Skinny Tyres Ltd or Hebridean Hop Scotch and let them organise the entire Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday for your? Alternatively you might wish to collect your touring bike from Oban Bikes (where you catch the ferry to Barra) who also offer full weekly hire of touring bikes and equipment. Don’t worry about how to get the hire bike back to Barra or Oban as companies not only hire bikes for your Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday but can arrange drop off and picks ups.
What type of bike is best of your Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday?
Cory and I both cycled on old mountain bikes. This meant our tyres were robust and pretty much bomb proof. The roads are a bit pot holed but otherwise all the way is on tarmac, so a hybrid bike would also be suitable.
Travelling on the ferry the Hebridean Way cycle route
Travelling as a foot passenger with you bike for your Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday couldn’t be easier! You don’t even have to pay for your bike, your bike is free, you only pay the economical foot passenger price. When you book your ticket for the ferry do complete the section for bringing a bike onto the ferry as this helps the company manage space.
Guidebook for the Hebridean Way
We used the Ciceron book, Cycling in the Hebrides: Island touring and days rides including The Hebridean Way, as we wanted have the opportunity to get off the beaten track if we wished and have used and loved many other Ciceron guide books.
Another book you may wish to consider for your guidebook for your Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday is The Official Guide book – Cycling the Hebridean Way, available on the Hebridean Way website.
Is the Hebridean Way waymarked?
When we cycled the Hebridean Way it wasn’t waymarked. Today however the entire route of the Hebridean Way Cycle route is waymarked. In fact we cycled the Hebridean Way before we relied so heavily on iPhones and GPS and we did fine! However we understand that the Hebridean Way Cycle route does have gaps in the Waymarking so best to have an old fashioned map with you as mobile phone reception in the Highland and Islands of Scotland is very patchy and unreliable.
The route map covers National Route 780, the Hebridean Way: a breathtaking ride taking in the full length of the Outer Hebrides. You can buy a route of the map from the Sustrans website or from the Hebridean Way Website.
Can you get bike repairs on the Hebridean Way?
Barra Bikes at the start of the Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday also has a repair shop, we would recommend taking spare tubes with you from your home or Oban, remember Oban Bikes? Your hire company, if you hired a bike will probably give you a few spares too. We travelled with a basic puncture repair kit and had no problems.
Otherwise bike repair shops are as rare as hens teeth!
What are the Highlights of the Hebridean Way cycle route?
- Quiet roads for cycling
- Stunning sandy beaches which rival the Caribean
- Wildlife, think otters, white tailed sea eagles, corncrakes, seals, dolphins, whales (ferry)
- Machair, the unique fertile flower meadows which skirt the rugged coastline of the Hebrides
- Picturesque Croft houses with their original thatched roofs
- Finding and foraging muscles along the sea shore for your supper
- Standing stones, beaches which double as airports (Barra), yellow flag iris dotted shores
- Dodging sheep asleep on the roads or Highland Cows resting on the sandy beach
Wildlife spotting on the Hebridean Way cycle route, what might you see on your Hebridean Way cycling holiday?
You will cycle over Causeways with signs telling you to watch out for Otters. Please do watch out for Otters these remote islands are the perfect habitat for these gorgeous creatures. When were really keen to hear the rare Corncrake and made sure to visit the RSPB reserve Balranald on North Uist.
Once prolific in the Highlands and Islands, Corncrakes are now very rare birds. The Corncrake has a distinctive call. Did we hear the call of the rare Corncrake at Balranald? Yes we did, the second we entered the Balranald nature reserve. Wow!
White tailed sea eagle, dolphins and seals, if you are observent and lucky, you will manage to tick all this amazing wildlife off whilst you cycle the Hebridean Way.
Kit required for the Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday?
- Hybrid or Mountain Bike
- Spare inner tubes and bike tool
- Bike helmet
- Rain jacket
- Waterproof pannier bags
- One change of clothing
- Water bottles
- Buy food enroute (we supported local co-op shops, community shops and cafes all along the route, it was wonderful! Burn calories and then refuel at the co-op or local cafes and restaurants!) We loved the Butty Bus at Leverburgh
- Guide book, map, smart phone (although you probably won’t get reception but you will want to take photos!)
- Smidge (Midge repellant) we only encountered Midges twice, when the breeze stopped but there is only one thing to prevent midges either move or cover yourself in Smidge!
Are Midges a problem on the Hebridean way?
Midges can be a problem on the Hebridean Way if it is calm, or sheltered. If you are on a bike cycling you will be fine as midges don’t move fast. If you are walking or stationery and there is no breeze you might get eaten alive.
We only had a Midge problem twice. Once in an evening which was very calm and once again, when we stopped for tea, got out our little gas stove to brew some tea. The location was the top of a Muir, near peat cuttings, it was calm, not a drop of breeze and roughly 1000 000 midges decended on our flesh. We quickly packed up and started to cycle. Problem over!
A breeze of 6mph is too strong for our Scottish Midge. You will be fine
For all you need to know about Midges check out my informative and fun book Midges Myths and Facts. So you too can be a Midge, geek!
Food resupplies whilst on our Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday all you need to know
- Support Local Community Shops
- Co-operative corner stores (Stornoway, Uist Benbecula, Uist – Daliburgh)
- Cafes and restaurants
Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday all you need to know
Would we cycle the Hebridean Way again?
Yes, we loved cycling the Hebridean way!
Why? It was beautiful, the distances weren’t too long, every island was different, mini adventures on ferries, quiet roads, the wildlife, the flower meadows, the empty sandy beaches with beautiful blue waters.
Why not read our Hebridean Way Cycle Review?
Hebridean Way Cycling Holiday all you need to know it is paradise in Scotland
wee wild adventures
