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Tours

LEJOG tour groupjohn o'groatsScotlands gorgeous streamsPeace when cycling from Lands EndThe Lejog challengers having a restCycling views in Scotland amazing.Making it to the end of the lejog

Land’s End To John O’Groats (15 days) – 2024

£2,395.00

TOUR REF: KE24
DATES:
24 Jul – 10 Aug 2024 
TYPE: Road Cycling
LEVEL: Challenging
DURATION: 17 days / 16 nights (15 days cycling)
ACCOMMODATION LEVEL: Standard

 

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    • 725 £
    • 85 £
    • 85 £

Land’s End To John O’Groats – 15 days

  • Our most popular trip provides the challenge of cycling Land’s End to John O’Groats in 15 days
  • We are the longest established company running the ‘End to End’ route & we take care of everything – all you have to do is pedal, and enjoy!
  • Our route is mainly on quiet roads, taking you through some of the most scenic countryside in the UK
  • Hotel/B&B Accommodation

We have been organising cycling holidays from Land’s End to John O’Groats for over 15 years, and have helped many people realise their dream of cycling the length of the UK. Riding the ‘End to End’ in two weeks is a real challenge for some people, with long cycling days and no rest days.

Our route takes you from Land’s End, along the north Cornish coast, across the wilds of Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor, and up through the famous Cheddar Gorge. After crossing the magnificent bridge over the River Severn we continue north through the lovely rolling countryside of Herefordshire and Shropshire, before skirting around the urban sprawl of Manchester. We then head through the beautiful countryside of northern England, passing through the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley in Cumbria.

After crossing the Scottish border we continue across the Southern Uplands to Glasgow, passing through the centre of the city on local cycle paths. We then enter the wilds of northern Scotland, passing close to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, and along the shore of Loch Ness on the way to the small settlement of John O’Groats on the northern tip of the Scottish mainland.

This is a fabulous ride and our cycling holiday groups are always great fun. We look after you all the way and provide a certificate for those that complete the trip – just to prove you did it!!!

This trip is also available as:

9 day Hotel/B&B based holiday in August
3 week Hotel/B&B based holiday in July

10 day, 2 week, 3 week or 4 week Independent Holiday.

If you would like to read other people’s comments on our holidays then check out the Customer Comments page.

 

Itinerary:

Day 0 – Arrive at Penzance. Transfer to Land’s End.

Day 1 – Land’s End to Bodmin – 65 miles
From the tourist complex at Land’s End we follow the spectacular Cornish coast before turning inland to the small town of Bodmin.

Day 2 – Bodmin to Whiddon Down – 55 miles
A tough day that takes us around the southern edge of Bodmin Moor and through the highest village in Cornwall. We then continue through Tavistock and across the wild moors of Dartmoor National Park.

Day 3 – Whiddon Down to Bridgwater – 65 miles
We continue along the narrow lanes of Devon before crossing into Somerset, over the Quantock Hills and down to Bridgwater.

Day 4 – Bridgwater to Monmouth – 74 miles
An easier day as we cross the flat Somerset Levels to Cheddar, from where we cross the Mendip Hills through the famous Gorge, continue around Bristol before crossing the Severn Bridge into Wales.

Day 5 – Monmouth to Wentnor – 70 miles
From Monmouth our route takes us through the pretty rolling countryside of Herefordshire and into Shropshire.

Day 6 – Wentnor to Acton Bridge – 68 miles
We continue north on some lovely roads through Shropshire and Cheshire.

Day 7 – Acton Bridge to Clitheroe – 66 miles
We cross the Manchester Ship Canal and weave our way through the northern industrial heartland of England.

Day 8 – Clitheroe to Kirkby Stephen – 55 miles
A fabulous ride that takes us across the Forest of Bowland and through the beautiful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Day 9 – Kirkby Stephen to Ecclefechan – 72 miles
From Kirkby Stephen we continue north along the beautiful Eden Valley before crossing Hadrian’s Wall into Scotland, passing through the Southern Uplands on some wonderful quiet scenic roads.

Day 10 – Ecclefechan to Motherwell – 82 miles
A longer day that takes us through the Southern Uplands and into the Clyde Valley, finishing on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Day 11 – Motherwell to Inveraray – 78 miles
Most level riding as we use local cycle paths to follow the River Clyde through the centre of Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. Then continue around Loch Lomond and along the shore of Loch Long and Loch Fyne to the historic little town of Inveraray.

Day 12 – Inveraray to Fort William – 74 miles
Some spectacular scenery as we head through Glen Aray and around the head of Loch Awe, then along the shore of Loch Linnhe to the busy town of Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles.

Day 13 – Fort William to Evanton – 80 miles
From Fort William we follow River Lochy along the Great Glen, then follow the shore of Loch Lochy and Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit, where we leave the lake and head through the hills to Cromarty Firth.

Day 14 – Evanton to Tongue – 78 miles
A long day that takes you on some wonderful wild and lonely roads to the north coast of Scotland.

Day 15 – Tongue to John O’Groats – 52 miles
Our final day takes us along the coast through Thurso to John O’Groats.

Day 16 – A coach is arranged to take you from John O’Groats to Inverness.

Holiday Details:

The End to End: Ever since the invention of the bicycle people have been inspired to ride the ‘End to End’. The first official time recorded over the distance is 65 days, 16 hours and 7 minutes, ridden on a penny farthing in 1880, and since then the route has been covered on everything from a bed to a motorised bar stool!! Today the record is held by Gethin Butler who in September 2001 covered the distance in an incredible 1 day, 20 hours, 4 minutes and 20 seconds. The ladies record of 2 days, 4 hours, 45 minutes and 11 seconds is held by Lynne Taylor.

There is no ‘official’ End to End route and thus no official distance. There are various published guides – they all vary in the route they take, but most make the distance around 1,000 miles. Most trips start from Land’s End, the main reason being that the prevailing winds in the UK are usually from the south-west, and so if you are lucky you could have a tail wind all the way to Scotland.

The Tour: This is a fully supported holiday with a tour leader (who cycles with the group to ensure nobody is left behind) and vehicle support to carry all the luggage and provide additional assistance if necessary. The trip is designed to enable you to complete the ‘End to End’, while keeping to a scenic route that follows minor roads as much as possible. The total distance is just over 1,000 miles, and to complete this in 15 days is a challenge that you should be prepared for. The daily mileage is between 55 and 80 miles a day, and there are no rest days. Most people do find that they get fitter during the tour (so the longer days in Scotland generally are not a problem), but the hardest parts of the trip are the first couple of days through Cornwall and Devon, where there is a lot of up and down, and so you need to be well prepared before you start the trip.

Accommodation & Food: This holiday uses B&B/Hotel accommodation.  B&B accommodation is generally graded 2-3* or similar, we usually book en-suite rooms if possible but this cannot be guaranteed. Single people travelling alone will be booked into a twin bedded room with another single person of the same sex – unless you have paid the price for a single room (please note that there are only a limited number of single rooms available on this holiday). Breakfast will be provided at the accommodation each morning. Evening meals are available at nearby pubs or restaurants, although campers may wish to cater for themselves.

Start: The ride starts at Land’s End at approximately 09.30 on Day 1. As this is a full day’s ride, to enable us to get a prompt start you will need to arrive at Land’s End on Day 0. Therefore the price of the holiday includes the campsite or accommodation at Land’s End on Day 0. The nearest railway station to Land’s End is at Penzance and transport is provided from here to Land’s End if required. Remember to await trip confirmation before making related bookings.

Finish: The cycling ends at John O’Groats on Day 15. The holiday price includes the campsite or accommodation at John O’Groats on Day 15 night. Transport is provided from John O’Groats to Inverness on Day 16 morning, the coach arrives in Inverness around midday and will take you to the railway station or airport.

Cycle Transport: If required we offer a cycle transport service to return your bike from Inverness to anywhere in the UK (additional fee payable), to save you the hassle of getting your bike home by train or plane. Using a courier service we can also have your bike transported to Land’s End.

Documents: Insurance is optional for this holiday for UK residents. Participants from outside the UK must have suitable travel insurance.

Bikes: All types of cycle are suitable for the trip. The most important thing is that your bike functions properly and that you are comfortable riding it. However you should make sure that it has suitable gears as there are some very steep hills on parts of the route, notably in Devon and Yorkshire. Most people will require a cycle with a triple chainset. If you are riding a mountain bike then you should fit it with narrow ‘slick’ tyres. You should also make sure that you are able to carry some spare food and clothing with you on the bike. The route does cross some wild exposed areas with little in the way of shelter and no services, and you can get very cold and wet if the weather is bad.

Tour Price includes:

End to End cycle shirt
Hotel/B&B accommodation
Breakfast
Evening meal at John O’Groats
Vehicle support
Services of leader/mechanic
Local transfers
Route information
Transport from Penzance to Land’s End if required
Transport from John O’Groats to Inverness at end of holiday
Land’s End to John O’Groats certificate for those that complete the trip.

Tour Price does not include:

Lunches or evening meals (except at John O’Groats)
Any snacks or drinks required during the day
Transport to Penzance or from Inverness
The cost of any optional excursions, entrance fees etc.

Get In Touch

If you have any questions about any of our trips, please call us on 0800 002 9559 or send us a message below.