Land’s End to John O’Groats

Our guides will be on hand to meet you as you arrive in Penzance. Overnight accommodation in Penzance.

67 miles (108km) - 5,126 feet ascent

We take a mini-bus to the start at Lands End where we will stop to take the obligatory photos. And then we're off! The Cornish hills are not hugely steep but they are numerous and will test those riders who haven’t put in the training miles. We head to the north Cornish coast first befrore heading east to the south coast at Portloe and onwards. A really characterful way to start our trip. (B, L)

76 miles (122km) - 5,923 feet ascent

Cornwall and Devon aren't only about their coastlines. Today we head inland, skirting the south of Bodmin Moor, before crossing the northern stretches of rugged Dartmoor - a real highlight of the trip. Exeter is a beautiful and lively city to spend the night. (B, L)

72 miles (116km) - 3,049 feet ascent

After a couple of pretty hard days, today is a bit of a respite. We start out cycling through the Devonshire lanes with some short climbs and quick descents, but nothing too involved. The riding in Somerset is flatter, through parts of the beautiful Somerset Levels and staying for the evening in the lovely town of Wells - England's smallest city with its stunning cathedral. (B, L)

87 miles (140km) - 5,267 feet ascent

After an initial climb out of Wells, we ride over the Mendips and head towards Bristol along flat lanes and cycle paths. Traversing Bristol - a city with such a great cycling culture - is in itself a lot of fun.  We cross the old Severn Road Bridge on the dedicated cycle path and make our way into Wales. The afternoon will be spent cycling the green Wye Valley, alongside the meandering course of the River Wye, and stopping for an ice cream close to the ruins of Tintern Abbey en route to Hereford. (B, L)

65 miles (105km) - 3,142 feet ascent

From Hereford we avoid the busy A49. Instead, we take quiet roads and lanes through Herefordshite and Shropshire, not far from the Welsh border through stunning Olde Worlde towns and villages such as Clun and Bishop's Castle. Shrewsbury, our destination for the night, is itself a beautiful beamed small city. (B, L)

76 miles (122km) - 2314 feet ascent

Many riders on this section of LeJog blast straight up from Warrington town centre through Wigan, Leyland, Preston...but that isn't Pedal Nation's way. Instead, on this easier day of cycling, we take a slightly more circuitous (and very closely planned) route into Lancashire along quiet lanes and lush countryside. Our stop in Leigh almost marks the halfway point of the tour. (B, L)

83 miles (134km) - 5,721 feet ascent

You are really in the north of England now, and will feel the change in character as we pass through quintessential northern villages such as Slaidburn, with views of the Yorkshire Dales off to our right. There is a spectacular ascent along the Skaithe, regularly used by Sir Bradley Wiggins as part of his training regime. The Cross of Greet marks the summit; down we ride to High Bentham and ultimately Kendal (the Gateway to the Lake District) where we stop for the night. (B, L)

80 miles (129km) - 4,625 feet ascent

Many riders head north from Kendal along the busy A6, but instead we head into the Lake District National Park for some wonderful riding through its eastern fringes. We cross Kirkstone Pass (but not via the Struggle!) and ride down alongside Ullswater, before heading north. As we approach Mungrisdale, there are fabulous views of the national park down to our left. Things become flatter around Carlisle, before we cross the border into Scotland and on to Lockerbie. (B, L)

71 miles (114km) - 2,550 feet ascent

Even though we cross the Southern Uplands today at Beattock Summit, the gradients are gradual and it is a day of far less climbing than many on this tour. The rounded hills and wind farms keep us company along the way, as we ride parallel with (above, and with better views) the M74 motorway. Cycle paths take us into Glasgow city centre where there will be the chance to enjoy the lively bars and restaurants of Scotland's friendly second (but largest) city. (B, L)

77 miles (110km) - 4,600 feet ascent

For 2026 and 2027 we have modified our route to avoid the busy traffic along Loch Lomondside. Instead, we head north out of Glasgow to Drymen, through the Trossachs (a bit like the Highlands in miniature), over Duke's Pass and west towards Crianlarich and Tyndrum. For quite a lot of today you will have the option of gravel cycle paths instead of roads if you find the latter too busy. (B, L)

80 miles (129km) - 3,025 feet ascent

Today the landscape and riding is simply epic, as we ride into and through some of the most spectacular Highland landscapes. The short climb over to Bridge of Orchy warms us up for the climb up to Rannoch Moor, where the spectacular mountain Buchaille Etive Mor comes into view, and the remote moorland stretches away for many miles to our right. We continue down through the remarkable Glencoe valley, along Loch Linnhe to Fort William and up the Great Glen tio Fort Augustus. (B, L)

71 miles (114km) - 4,055 feet ascent

We head to Inverness along the quiet south shore of Loch Ness. Loch Ness is not only famous for its 'monster', but contains more water than all English and Welsh lakes put together! Inverness feels like another real marker point, as we cross the Kessock Bridge over the Moray Firth and up to Tain on the Black Isle. Not far to go now... (B, L)

63 miles (101km) - 2,946 feet ascent

From Tongue we head diagonally north west to Lairg, alongside Loch Shin and some beautiful waterfalls, and ascend to the finest pub in the British Isles, the incomparable Crask Inn. From the Crask it’s downhill all the way to Tongue, between the furthest north Munros in Scotland (Ben Hope and Ben Klibreck). As we approach Tongue, the striking white sands of the north coast and the sea come into view. (B, L)

64 miles (103km) - 4,141 feet ascent

The last cycling day! At the start there are a couple of steep hills between Bettyhill and Strathy which will test our weary legs for the final time and nearby Thurso marks the last town of any size. The castle at Mey is the final landmark to look out for and the final few miles to John o’Groats are relatively flat. We should finish in front of the famous signpost at around 2pm. After a champagne celebration a coach will take us back to Inverness in time for a shower and a celebratory meal later in the evening. (B, L)

Final goodbyes as we help with transport to Inverness Airport or Inverness Railway Station as well as assisting with bikes which are being couriered home. (B)