This route offers plenty of flexibility and isn’t limited to the example shown here. There are many different ways to do this journey, and we can adapt it to your requirements. The options are endless, what you’ll find below is simply a typical itinerary.

This is certainly a challenge, given the high daily mileages and significant elevation changes. We therefore provide the option of having a rest day to recuperate halfway through the ride. We can also offer a relay-style challenge, where the route is split amongst a group of cyclists.

Land’s End to John O’Groats Itinerary

Pre-Event

Travel down to Lands End, arriving in time for an evening meal and briefing from your pie event manager. You will also have the opportunity to meet the rest of the pie team, including your guides and support crew.

Day 1

Distance: 144km

Elevation: 2322m 

We rise early to begin our journey to the north of Scotland, 10 days away. Today’s route sees us ride from Land’s End to Launceston, passing through Penzance and past Newquay, before heading inland. With 2322m of ascent, Cornwall is hillier than you think!

Day 2 

Distance: 143km

Elevation: 2068m

We leave Cornwall and spend the day cycling along the spine of Devon. There is slightly less climbing today, with a fairly flat final 30km. Those with eagle eyes may be able to make out Glastonbury Tor in the distance as we enter Somerset and make our way to the overnight stop at Burnham-on-Sea.

Day 3

Distance: 148km

Elevation: 1230m ascent

Our longest day so far, although thankfully with less climbing. We follow the coast north, passing Weston-Super-Mare and skirting around the west of Bristol. From here it’s a relatively flat cycle towards our overnight stop at the cathedral city of Worcester.

Day 4 

Distance: 135km

Elevation: 1300m

We continue to make our way through the Midlands, avoiding built-up areas and passing through some wonderful countryside. The highest hill of the day is to the west of Telford, but at only 178m, it shouldn’t cause too much of a problem.

Later on, we pass through Market Drayton and Nantwich, before finishing the day at Winsford to the north of Crewe.

Day 5

Distance: 128km

Elevation: 905m

Today is one of the shortest days on the trip, at ‘just’ 80miles, and under 1000m climbing. We’ll summit the biggest hills before each of our three rest stops, as we cycle round the west of Manchester, through Warrington, Wigan and Preston, before turning slightly inland at Lancaster towards the Yorkshire Dales.

Day 5 is halfway through the ride, and we celebrate our success with a lovely meal in a local restaurant.

Day 6

Distance: 128km

Elevation: 1518m

Another short day, but with almost double the climbing of the previous day…. We flirt with the borders of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District as we continue our journey north. For much of the journey, our route is flanked by dry-stone walls and sheep grazing in the fields.

The scenery soon changes as we cycle through Penrith and onto the floodplain of the River Eden at Carlisle. We end the day by crossing the border into Scotland and immediately turning west at Gretna, with the final few kms along the coast to the town of Annan. Don’t forget your passports!

Day 7 

Distance: 134km

Elevation: 1640m

After the obligatory “Full Scottish Breakfast”, we begin our first full day’s riding in Scotland with a long, gradual climb until our afternoon tea stop to the east of Prestwick. Once again, the scenery is quite simply stunning as we make our way north, through Kilmarnock and on to our overnight stop near the town of Dunlop.

Day 8

Distance: 122km

Elevation: 1623m

Our shortest day! Most of the climbing is achieved after the afternoon tea stop, so don’t forget to leave some energy in the tank for later!

We start the day with a short climb, but it’s well worth the effort as we are rewarded with a breathtaking view of Glasgow, followed by a fast descent into the city itself. It’s only a flying visit, though, as we soon make our way out of the city and over the Erskine Bridge.

We cycle the length of beautiful Loch Lomond before the climbing starts after our afternoon tea stop. Once again, we are rewarded with fantastic views as we make our way deeper into the Grampian Mountains, and our overnight stop at the Bridge of Orchy. The Scots are proud of their country, and today, you really see why!

Day 9

Distance: 164km

Elevation: 2670m

Quite simply, one of the toughest days of the ride. With over 100miles to ride and 2670m climbing, solace must be taken in the fact that this is our penultimate day, and the end is (almost) in sight! Once again, the scenery soon takes your mind off the miles as we cycle through the mountains, passing remote farmhouses and snowy peaks.

The middle part of the day is spent cycling along the shores of Loch Lochy and the world-famous Loch Ness, before we turn inland again towards the small town of Beauly.

Day 10 

Distance: 185km

Elevation: 2350m climbing

This has all the makings of an epic end to the trip, with our longest day in the saddle.

After a hearty breakfast, it’s back on the road again, but this time in the knowledge that in a few short hours, we will be standing as far as we can get on mainland Britain from Land’s End! Our route takes us up the east coast of Scotland, the North Sea ever present on our right-hand side as seagulls fly overhead. As you may expect, the rugged coastline leads to a profile akin to the blade of a hacksaw. The end is most definitely in sight, and you will only need a little encouragement to keep the wheels turning to get you to the end.

Mercifully, the final stretch of the ride is downhill, with the road seemingly dropping off the cliff into the sea. Congratulations are due all round, before transferring to our accommodation and celebration meal.

Example Routes