Tailwind
Outer Hebrides

Hebridean Way Cycle Route

Vatersay toward Lewis, about 200 miles / 320 km across the Outer Hebrides. Causeways, CalMac ferries and the climbs on Harris.

Recommendations

Bike

Touring

Road bikes do it. The climbs are on Harris and Lewis.

Tyres

28/35

Machair and Atlantic rain reward a bit of width.

Experience

Ferries

Check today's CalMac before the next island.

Route breakdown

  1. 0k -> 8km

    Vatersay

    Easy, until the weather isn't+38 m up · 26 m down · 7–19 m

    The causeway from Barra. White sand, Atlantic weather. This GPX is the cycling Hebridean Way.

  2. 8k -> 32km

    Castlebay

    Easy, ferry maths+32 m up · 54 m down · 23–1 m

    Barra's town and the first CalMac connection. The ride lives and dies on the timetable.

  3. 32k -> 50km

    Eriskay

    Easy, exposed+15 m up · 46 m down · 37–6 m

    The causeway chain begins. Machair, nowhere to hide. The islands are already exposed here.

  4. 50k -> 95km

    South Uist

    Flat, hard in a westerly+23 m up · 23 m down · 5–5 m

    Long days, churches, crofts. Almost no climbing. If the weather turns there is very little cover and a long way to the next shop.

  5. 95k -> 146km

    Benbecula

    Easy, the middle of the chain+50 m up · 45 m down · 3–8 m

    Airport if you have to bail. Otherwise keep north. Stay on the cycling waymarks through the chain.

  6. 146k -> 205km

    North Uist / Lochmaddy

    Ferry to Harris+224 m up · 208 m down · 24–40 m

    Many itineraries take the ferry to Harris from here. Confirm today's CalMac. Harris is about to stop being flat.

  7. 205k -> 251km

    Tarbert, Harris

    The heavy bit+252 m up · 224 m down · 15–43 m

    Hills at last. The road to Lewis climbs. After days of machair this feels like a different island.

  8. 251k -> 323km

    Stornoway

    Usual cycling finish+231 m up · 262 m down · 53–22 m

    Lewis town. Most cycling itineraries call this the end. This GPX keeps going up the island if you still have daylight.

  9. 323km

    Northern Lewis

    Extra coast

    Toward the Butt of Lewis. Exposed, empty. Turn around when the road does at the coast.

FAQ

Is the Hebridean Way the walking route?

This GPX is the cycling route. The walk is a different line.

How far is the Hebridean Way?

About 200 miles / 320 km on this GPX from Vatersay toward Lewis, including the northern Lewis coast.

Do I need to book ferries?

Check today's CalMac before you leave. The ride lives on the timetable more than the gradient.

How many days does it take?

Five to seven days is a common touring pace, counting the ferries.

Is it hilly?

The Uists are flat. Harris and Lewis are where the climbing is.

Where do I download the GPX?

Use the button on this page. The file is public and available without an account.

More route guides

New Forest Cycle Route

A short Hampshire loop if the islands are a stretch.

NCN 7 and 8

Mainland Scotland and Wales.

LEJOG

If Stornoway was not far enough north.

All route guides

The rest of the named-trail library.

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