United Kingdom, Scottish Highlands
North Coast 500
Distance
830 km
Time
5 days
Driving score
8.5
We choose the roads, waypoints are preserved so Google Maps follows the intended route.
Editorial
Why drive it
The NC500 is not a single road but a stitching together of the best coastal, mountain and moorland routes in the Highlands. It works because the whole is greater than the parts.
The west coast from Applecross to Assynt is the highlight: narrow roads cut into rock, sea lochs on one side and mountains rising straight from the water. The north coast opens into vast empty beaches, and the east run home has a surprising amount of good empty tarmac.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Road width
- Single and two lane, often narrow on the west coast
- Surface
- Good tarmac with frequent patched sections and passing places
- Best direction
- Inverness clockwise, coast on your left
- Best time of day
- Leave Inverness before 07:00 to beat the summer coaches
- Best season
- May to September, midweek in June is ideal
- Elevation
- 626 m at the Bealach na Bà summit
- Community rating
- 4.7 / 5
Proprietary scoring
The numbers
The journey
Route highlights
Start
Inverness
Fuel, coffee and a final map check
Viewpoint
Black Isle
Dolphin spotting at Chanonry Point
Mountain Pass
Bealach na Bà
The most dramatic climb of the loop
Lunch
Applecross Inn
Langoustines with Skye across the water
Photo Spot
Torridon
Red sandstone peaks above the road
Historic Village
Ullapool
White houses, good fish and chips
Viewpoint
Assynt
Suilven rising from the moorland
Photo Spot
Durness
Sango Sands and the north coast light
Historic Village
John O'Groats
The famous signpost, then keep going to Duncansby
Finish
Inverness
Complete the loop by the castle
Where to stay
Stay along this drive
Tracing the road between your start and finish
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From the members
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