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Tours

LEJOG tour groupjohn o'groats

Land’s End to John O’Groats (20 days) – 2024

£3,395.00

TOUR REF: KE245
TYPE: Road Cycling
LEVEL: Regular
DATES: 
01 Jul – 23 Jul 2024
DURATION: 23 days / 22 nights (20 days cycling)
ACCOMMODATION LEVEL: Standard. 

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    • 975 £
    • 85 £
    • 85 £

Land’s End To John O’Groats – 20 Days

A 21 day holiday to complete the ultimate UK challenge ride at an easier pace. Scenic route on quiet roads covering 1000 miles from the tip of Cornwall to the top of the Scottish mainland. A day off to relax in the Victorian spa town of Moffat!

We had been organising our two week trip for a number of years and had helped many people realise their dream of cycling the length of the UK. However we then realised that many people wanted to undertake the challenge of riding the ‘End to End’, but simply found the daily mileages required to do it in two weeks too high. Therefore, we introduced this three week holiday, offering  shorter cycling days and a day off the bike in the middle of the trip.

The 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. 

We cross over the Scottish border and continue across the Southern Uplands to Glasgow, passing through the centre of the city on local cycle paths. The route then takes you through 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 B&B/small hotel based trip with a choice of standard or superior accommodation and includes a rest day in the small Scottish town of Moffat. 

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 – just to prove you did it!!! 

This trip is also available as: 

9 day B&B based holiday in August
2 week B&B based holiday in June or May

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 Land’s End

Day 1 – Land’s End to Perranporth – 45 miles
From Land’s End the route takes you along spectacular north Cornish coast to the popular little town of Perranporth.

Day 2 – Perranporth to Tavistock – 52 miles
The route continues along the coast before turning inland to take you over Bodmin Moor and across the Taymar River into Devon, ending the day at the attractive historic town of Tavistock.

Day 3 – Tavistock to Samford Peverell – 58 miles
A tough day that takes you across the wild moors of Dartmoor National Park and then along the narrow lanes of Devon.

Day 4 – Sasmford Peverell to Cheddar – 47 miles
Cross into Somerset, over the Quantock Hills with some easy riding over the Somerset Levels to Cheddar.

Day 5 – Cheddar to Chepstow – 45 miles
Although it starts with a tough climb through the famous gorge this is an easier day that takes you around Bristol and across the Severn River into Wales.

Day 6 – Chepstow to Weobley – 55 miles
Continue along the Wye Valley and through the lovely Herefordshire countryside with its attractive ‘Black & White’ villages.

Day 7 – Weobley to Burlton – 59 miles
We continue north on some lovely roads through the undulating countryside of Shropshire.

Day 8 – Burlton to Acton Bridge – 44 miles
Another lovely days ride takes you along the flatter roads of north Shropshire and into Cheshire, passing through the Delamere Forest.

Day 9 – Acton Bridge to Hurst Green – 59 miles
The route takes you across the Manchester Ship Canal and through the northern industrial heartland of England.

Day 10 – Hurst Green to Dent – 40 miles
A fabulous but tough ride that takes you across the Forest of Bowland and through the beautiful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, ending the day at the attractive little village of Dent.

Day 11 – Dent to Armathwaite – 55 miles
From Dent we continue north into Cumbria and along the beautiful Eden Valley.

Day 12 – Armathwaite to Moffat – 60 miles
The longest day of the trip takes you across the border into Scotland and through the Southern Uplands on wonderful quiet scenic roads.

Day 13 – Rest Day at Moffat.

Day 14 – Moffat to Strathaven – 55 miles
Continue through the Southern Uplands to the edge of Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow.

Day 15 – Strathaven to Callander – 54 miles
From Strathaven the route descends to join cycle paths beside the Clyde, passing through the centre of Glasgow. The route then turns north, picking up the Strathkelvin Railway Path for yet more traffic-free riding before joining the road network in Lennoxtown. The day finishes in Callander in the Loch Lommand & Trossachs National Park.

Day 16 – Callander to Aberfeldy – 40 miles
Leaving Callander the route follows cycle paths through the National Park then onto Killin, the route follows Loch Tay northeast to Kenmore, continuing beside the River Tay to finish in Aberfeldy.

Day 17 – Aberfeldy to Newtonmore – 50 miles
An easy days ride that continues to track the River Tay before joining the NCN Route 7 along cycle paths and sometimes on disused sections of the original road.

Day 18 – Newtonmore to Inverness – 52 miles
The route continues to follow the NCN 7 to Inverness.

Day 19 – Inverness to Invershin – 45 miles
Leaving Inverness the route crosses the Beauly Firth on a cycle path before heading to Dingwall. Beyond Evanton we take a sensational route via the incomparable north Scottish coast. 

Day 20 – Invershin to Bettyhill – 55 miles
A fabulous ride that takes you on some wonderfully wild and lonely roads to the northern coast of Scotland.

Day 21 – Bettyhill to John O’Groats – 58 miles
Our final day takes you along the coast through Thurso to John O’Groats.

Day 22 – Transport is provided to take you to Inverness

Tour Price includes: 

Hotel/B&B accommodation
Breakfast
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 Bettyhill and John O’Groats)
Snacks or drinks required during the day
Transport to Penzance or from Inverness
Cost of any optional excursions, entrance fees etc.

holiday details:

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 days ride, to enable us to get a prompt start you will need to arrive at Land’s End Day 0 afternoon/evening. 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. 

Finish: The cycling ends at John O’Groats on Day 21. The holiday price includes the campsite or accommodation at John O’Groats on Day 21 night. Transport is provided from John O’Groats to Inverness on Day 22 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. 

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.