Bealach na Ba The Bealach na Ba is a historic and quite famous pass through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula. If anyone fancies joining me, let me know (approx 20th August tbc). Cyclist™ is a registered trade mark. Over this distance, you climb 616 heightmeters. We encounter only a single hairpin bend, quite early on, before the road takes a course of long traverses across the open moorland. Bealach na Bà is a curvy mountainous road located in the Applecross peninsula, Highland, Scotland. If the climb itself doesn’t wipe you out, then perhaps the weather around … It’s more up and down than a decade at the stock market, and I realise I’ve made a mistake in assuming that the Bealach na Ba would be the end of our struggles for the day. Just as the pretty row of coloured houses comes into view we turn off down what almost feels like a slipway into the loch, such is the village’s proximity to the water’s edge. It’s not a recipe for a lasting relationship, and we try not to smile as our group sails by with a tentative nod of acknowledgement that does little to defrost the atmosphere. Bealach na Ba The Bealach na Ba is a historic and quite famous pass through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula. On the way down it soon becomes clear the gradients are much shallower on this side of the mountain pass, which makes for superb descending. The only downside of the climb it is that it is not so accessible. This road is one the farthest outlier of all Britain’s 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, situated in the far northwestern Highland Council Area of Scotland. We’re a long way from the Alps. It rises from sea level to 626m altitude in 10km. It is set in a fabulous unspoilt landscape with outstanding views of the sea and hills. The six-mile ascent of the Bealach na Ba is the longest road climb in the UK. It’s the view before me that’s sending memories flooding back. Cycling the other side of Bealach na Ba - from Applecross. If you’re not driving, you’re best off renting a car for the final part of the journey to access the rugged western peninsula. I managed to sneak a trip up the The Bealach na Ba is situated in Scotland. Do not push on over the Bealach in adverse weather conditions – it is potentially dangerous in strong, gusty winds. The big and beastly Bealach-na-Ba ascentCycling Supernanny Husto and I had a great time, catching up on gossip, talking about cycling and taking in the scenery. Having written and published the extremely popular ‘100climbs’ … It’s the only one to be bestowed such a grade. Restaurants near Bealach na Ba Road: (0.51 mi) Kishorn Seafood Bar (1.00 mi) The Bealach Cafe and Gallery (4.46 mi) The Bistro, Lochcarron (4.73 mi) The Shores (6.24 mi) Carron Restaurant; View all restaurants near Bealach na Ba Road on Tripadvisor $ The Bealach is the UK’s biggest road climb with an ascent of 626m from sea level in just 10km. Rivaling many a Swiss mountain pass, it winds its way from Lochcarron up 2,000 feet to the Bealach and Applecross, offering breathtaking views of Highland alpine crags, the Isle of Skye, and even the Outer Hebrides farther out to sea. It is set in a fabulous unspoilt landscape with outstanding views of the sea and hills. I notice that the guy is riding a top-end carbon road bike with all the trimmings, while his girlfriend seems to be suffering against gravity aboard a much cheaper machine and is riding in trainers. As part of Karen Newman’s series on cycling the NC500 – Karen has provided a suggested alternative to cycling the Bealach na ba. The Bealach na Ba is situated in Scotland. I’m tempted to put in a few revolutions to try and get into the 80s, but decide not to push my luck. Distance Elevation Gain Average Slope Maximum Slope Profile Index Elevation Climbed in Tour de France Climbed in Giro d'Italia Climbed in Vuelta a España Cols per Country Cols per Region Cols per Province Distance Above 5% Distance Above 10% Steepest 1km Steepest 5km The Bealach na Ba, on the Applecross peninsula, is officially only Scotland’s third highest pass, but because it begins its journey to 2,053ft (626m) from sea level it can boast the greatest ascent of any road in the UK – something that has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s now several hours since we set out from The Old Manse B&B in Lochcarron, where we fuelled up on a hearty Scottish breakfast, but having already tackled the sizeable climb between Lochcarron and Kishorn before the Bealach itself, I’m peckish again and I know I’m not the only one thinking about a cafe stop. Somewhat disappointingly, there’s no response from my rear derailleur as I press the electronic shift button on my Record EPS lever, searching for one more gear to ease the burden on my legs. The idea of a sportive belongs to local cycling legend Clifford Davidson. This climb belongs to the Scottish Highlands. Also to Simon Willis of Sunart Media (sunartmedia.com) for help with planning and logistics. Bealach na Ba is one of the most scenic, challenging and exceptional climbing experiences in the UK. The Bealach is the UK’s biggest road climb with an ascent of 626m from sea level in just 10km. Let’s dive into the details of this historic winding single track road called Bealach Na Ba. This climb belongs to the Scottish Highlands. Obviously, a man who likes his privacy. Just looking at the photos makes you want to go and visit. Bealach na Ba Bealach na Ba, or “Pass of the Cattle,” may be just a road, but it’s one of the most remarkable drives in all of Britain. Setting off on the homeward leg of the ride, we’re faced with a long gradual drag all the way back up the A896, through Glen Shieldaig. For me, along with the Ventoux at some point, the Bealach na Ba has been on my cycling ‘must do’ list for quite some time. Admittedly here it’s on a much smaller scale than the Galibier but the way the road encounters the remainder of this climb feels remarkably similar. We’ll need to keep something in reserve for those. The slope is hovering around 8% with occasional spikes of up to 12% just to put the boot in, with nothing to break up the persistence of the climb. Arguably the toughest 45 mile circuit you could find in the UK, this route crosses the 2056 foot high Bealach Na Ba to Applecross. It seems a much easier climb this time though. Keep a log of all your rides and cycling achievements with these high quality cycling notebooks. Back on the Bealach, after a long right-hand bend, the road turns our view away from the loch below, and now firmly focuses on the steep-sided glaciated hanging valley that would be a geography teacher’s dream. Applecross Highlands Strava Routes. This is plenty exhilarating enough. Perhaps the most enjoyable way to get there from the far south is by sleeper train. It’s not my lungs, on the verge of collapse, or my screaming quads that have prompted the comparison. Bealach Na Ba: Britain’s biggest climb Rod MacFadyen Bealach-na-Ba (Pass of the Cattle) is the UK’s biggest road climb. It starts out steady before steepening in the final third, ending in several switchbacks on the steep corrie headwall. To Ben and Dougie at Nevis Cycles in Fort William (neviscycles.com) for the use of their workshop and a heap of invaluable local knowledge. The road west over the hills to Applecross, on the north-west coast of Scotland, is Britain's longest steep hill. I can see Huw, our support vehicle driver, has pulled his van over in the lay-by at the top of climb. Glancing down momentarily on a long straight section, through slightly watery eyes, I see my Garmin is reading 79kmh and I’m not even pedalling. It has got us excited, The three time Tour de France champion has returned to the bicycle game with a new, high-end e-bike, The Endura FS260-Pro Thermo are insulating, supremely comfortable three-season bibshorts, The Slovenian duo both set to return to Tour, reigniting yellow jersey rivalry, The reigning WorldTour champion is focusing on the cobbles in 2021 and eyeing up a second stint in, The Solidarity Challenge on Zwift will see Cancellara and other sports stars in a pursuit against. Vital statistics Length: 8.9km Towards the village of Shieldaig it becomes more inhabited and greener. Bealach na Ba has earned its fearsome reputation with good reason and for many it is rightly considered the holy grail of British climbs. The Bealach is the UK’s biggest road climb with an ascent of 626m from sea level in just 10km. Driving or cycling on this road can be a breathtaking experience and a great adventure. Visit our website now to find out more. Elevation Gain: 1,679m. All rights reserved. The idea of a sportive belongs to local cycling legend Clifford Davidson. ... #68 Bealach-na-ba Cycling Inspired Notebooks It feels like just reward for the efforts of the climb up, and once we have all regrouped on the final part of the descent approaching the village of Applecross, we're all buzzing from the adrenaline rush and agree that it was the best direction to have ridden over the Bealach na Ba. Bealach Na Ba: "Admiring the stunning Scottish landscape after climbing Bealach Na Na, one of the toughest climbs in the UK. The Bealach is the UK’s biggest road climb with an ascent of 626m from sea level in just 10km. Another left hook, bike and I were lifted from the road, knocked left and dropped to land unceremoniously in a heap of … # cycling # roadcycling # gcninspiration # roadbike # bicycle # bike # cyclingphoto # gcntech # gcn Not so that day on the Bealach na Ba. Fortunately, there’s no such warning to discourage cyclists. Route map for 'Bealach Na Ba / Applecross Circuit' - a 88.0km cycle route near Lochcarron, UK. (theoldmanselochcarron.com). Check out the cycling attraction Bealach na Ba! Cyclist stayed at The Old Manse Guesthouse in Lochcarron, a restored vicarage where hosts Stuart and Susan provided a warm welcome, comfortable rooms, somewhere to store the bikes and plenty of hearty Scottish cuisine, not to mention the added bonus of fantastic loch-side views. The name comes from the Scottish Gaelic, Bealach nam Bò, meaning ‘pass of the cattle’ as it was historically a narrow gravel drover’s road renowned for being frequently inaccessible due to bad weather. He’s finding the going tough, as are we all. It is set in a fabulous unspoilt landscape with outstanding views of the sea and hills. We spy a quaint little hut called Nanny’s Cafe, and no one needs persuading to stop for coffee and homemade cake, to be consumed while sitting in the sunshine and taking in the views of the loch. The highlight is the crossing of the 2056 foot high Bealach na Ba which gives superb views back towards Loch Kishorn and onwards towards the islands of Skye and Raasay. Lochcarron is about an 85-mile drive north-west of Fort William, which is around a two-hour drive from either Glasgow or Inverness airports. For about 12 years in fact, which was the last time I ventured into this part of the Highlands of Scotland en route to Applecross, then Torridon. The road leaving Applecross is almost as delightful as the food we’ve just consumed. In Warren’s own words: ‘This is it: the Holy Grail.’. It has a maximum elevation gain of 1,905 meters. Check out the cycling attraction Bealach na Ba! Strava Cycling Route Bealach na Ba climb! It’s a tough climb certainly but in my opinion it’s not nearly as hard as the remainder of the route. Bealach na Bà features in the 70 km Bealach Beag event in May, and the 144 km Bealach Mór in September. Until this point, the contours of the mountain and the meandering nature of the road on the lower section of the climb have hidden from sight the dramatic upper realms that now confront me. The Bealach has rightly earned its reputation. One of the most beautiful climbs in Britain – if not one of the hardest. Restaurants near Bealach na Ba Road: (0.82 km) Kishorn Seafood Bar (1.60 km) The Bealach Cafe and Gallery (7.14 km) The Bistro, Lochcarron (7.57 km) The Shores (9.98 km) Carron Restaurant; View all restaurants near Bealach na Ba Road on Tripadvisor $ This However, with quiet roads and stunning scenery, there is a great reason to go visit and climb. Beautifully finished Cycling Inspired Notebooks Handmade in the UK Choose from 12 different cycling inspired A5 size notebooks. But whatever, I know that once I have a drink in my hand, I’ll raise a small toast to Mr Warren, whose desire to seek out the ‘Holy Grail’ of British climbs brought us here in the first place. For me, along with the Ventoux at some point, the Bealach na Ba has been on my cycling ‘must do’ list for quite some time. Bealach-na-Ba – Scotland. Bealach na Ba is one of the most scenic, challenging and exceptional climbing experiences in the UK. Cyclist 100 Climbs - Bealach Na Ba is an expert road ride: 90.5 km and takes 04:33 h. View this route or plan your own! An alternative to cycling the Bealach na ba. Bealach-Na-Ba really takes the breath away and offers a great cycling challenge. Unsurprisingly there are a few sportive events that use this historic pass. Bealach Na Ba: Britain’s biggest climb Rod MacFadyen Bealach-na-Ba (Pass of the Cattle) is the UK’s biggest road climb. If you ever get a chance to have a call at this is thoroughly recommended." However, the wonderful views are ample reward for the amount of effort required. the Bealach na Bà is just one feature on this road, being its highest point and site of several corries. It rises from sea level to 626m altitude in 10km. If the climb itself doesn’t wipe you out, then perhaps the weather around Bealach-na-Ba will. I will be doing this as part of the North Coast 500 'holiday' I'm taking in August. The road is still only singletrack, but thankfully a decent coat of tarmac has long since sealed over the gravel, and today at least the weather is on our side too. pictures for big ride bealach na ba. When cycling up mountains, being lightweight (63kg for me, another 8 or so for the bike) is usually an advantage. It starts out steady before steepening in the final third, ending in several switchbacks on the steep corrie headwall. For about 12 years in fact, which was the last time I ventured into this part of the Highlands of Scotland en route to Applecross, then Torridon. Part 2: Bealach na Ba to Kinlochewe: 120-196 km (75-122 miles) Following this you have a section of never-ending rollers, I was struggling with a nagging cross head wind here which made each one energy sapping, forever changing gear form 52-11 to 36 -28 as you drive over each one. The shorter (43 mile; 69km) Bealach Beag takes place in May, while the longer (90 mile; 145km) Bealach Mor runs in August. It’s certainly a beautiful stretch of road (Kate later recalls this as her favourite part of the ride), but we’re exposed to the wind and the going is tough at times. You’re unlikely to have ridden it because it’s set in a remote part of the West Highlands, the Applecross Peninsula, so it’s very beautiful but also difficult to get to. It doesn’t look very far above us, but our route to the summit is far from direct and gradients of up to 20% lurk in these final twists and turns. The idea of a sportive belongs to local cycling legend Clifford Davidson. As you might expect, it’s a fairly quiet climb to take your bike out on, with onl… By the time you’ve reached the top of the Colombian climb you’ll be sitting at almost 3,700m altitude, which might be another reason why you’re breathing so heavily. The historic mountain pass was built in 1822 and is engineered similarly to roads through the great mountain passes in the Alps, with very tight hairpin bends that … # cycling # roadcycling # gcninspiration # roadbike # bicycle # bike # cyclingphoto # gcntech # gcn A classic 90 mile circuit crossing the famous Bealach na Ba to Applecross where the wonderful views and sense of achievement compensate for the effort required. The Letras allegedly holds the dubious honour of being the longest cycling climb in the world, with the Strava segment for the climb rounding off at a whopping 80km at an average gradient of 4%. As we round the northern corner of the peninsula, now on the shores of Loch Torridon rather than the Atlantic, I’m enjoying something of a second wind. I’d imagine it would be a pretty bleak place up here when the weather closes in, so I’m thankful we are blessed with only partly cloudy skies and even though we all choose to stick on a jacket to protect us from the noticeably more chilly air up here, no one is in any particular hurry to start the descent. 100 Climbs Mountain Facets/Pain Cave/#69 Bealch-na-ba/#84 Hardknott Pass/#33 Winnats Pass/Hellingen/#55 Rosedale Chimney SIMON WARREN has lived and breathed bikes and cycling for over 20 years. Bealach na Bà: One of The Greatest Roads for Cycling November 12, 2015 The road to Applecross is notorious in the Highlands, not only as one of the most beautiful and dramatic driving routes; but also as one of the most terrifying. Before we know it we’re back in Tornapress and on the edge of Loch Kishorn, once again passing those large warning signs at the junction with the Bealach na Ba. Over the years, I’ve sought to climb as many hills as possible. Prices start at around £100 one way. Starting from near sea-level it rises 626m in 9.1km of uphill – reaching 20% at its steepest gradient. The Bealach na Ba via Applecross is ranked number 2 of the Scottish Highlands. If you wanted to do an ‘everesting’ challenge, it would only take 14.1 times to climb the 8,848m. Essentials: Distance: 128km. Copyright © Dennis Publishing Limited 2021. The Cyclist guide to the right gear ratios for climbing, How to complete the Festive 500: top tips to conquer 500km this Christmas, Adidas releases first set of road cycling shoes in 15 years, Greg LeMond reveals new LeMond Prolog urban e-bike, Best turbo trainers: Top trainers for Zwift, Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic set for Tour de France rematch, Lizzie Deignan: 'I'm very, very excited about Flanders', Fabian Cancellara to race Mo Farah for World Cancer Day. Recommended by 11 other cyclists, browse 17 pics and 3 insider tips—and get there with komoot! The Applecross Peninsula is renowned as a gem in Scotland’s crown of natural wonders. Bealach na Bà The closest to an Alpine mountain climb that the UK has to offer is Bealach na Bà (“Pass of the Cattle” in Scottish Gaelic) on the west coast of Scotland. The average percentage thus is 6.8 %. The Applecross Peninsula is renowned as a gem in Scotland’s crown of natural wonders. Applecross Loop with Bealach Na Ba is a 89.5 km Road Cycling Route created by Charles P. on March 23, 2015. It has a maximum elevation gain of 1,905 meters. Sign up for Strava to save this route and share it with your friends. The Caledonian Sleeper (scotrail.co.uk) goes overnight from London Euston to Fort William. Bealach na Bà is a winding single track road through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula, in Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands.the Bealach na Bà is just one feature on this road, being its highest point and site of several corries. One of the greatest climbs in Britain. 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