Gravel Cycling
Isle of Mull Grand Circuit
White-tailed eagles, otters, and 90km of Mull's single-track roads
Quick facts
- Distance
- 90 km (56 mi)
- Ascent
- 1,800 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Route type
- Loop · Multi-day
- Archetype
- Island Circuit
- Region
- Isle of Mull & Iona
- Start point
- Craignure ferry terminal
- Grid ref
- NM 724 370
- Parking
- PA65 6AY
- Midges
- Moderate
- Dogs
- On lead only
- Ferry
- Required
Surface breakdown
- Tarmac single-track70%
- Estate road20%
- Double-track10%
About this route
Mull is the right size for a grand circuit — big enough to spend two days riding, small enough that you don't feel lost. The 90km loop from Craignure touches every corner of the island: the Ross of Mull granite coast to the sacred island of Iona, the wild Loch Scridain shore, Tobermory's coloured harbour, and the extraordinary Calgary Bay beach on the northwest coast. It is also serious wildlife country — Mull has the highest density of white-tailed eagles in Britain, and otters are reliably visible from the Loch na Keal shore road.
The roads are single-track public roads with passing places, carrying light tourist traffic. The riding is rhythmic — climb a peninsula, descend to a sea loch, cross a watershed, repeat — with gradients that are never brutal but accumulate to 1,800m over the two days. Tobermory on day one provides the overnight stop in the island's only town: coloured harbour buildings, a distillery, and the best fish supper in the Inner Hebrides.
Highlights
- Iona ferry crossing from Fionnphort — the three-minute crossing to the holiest island in Scotland
- White-tailed eagle from the Loch na Keal road — the eagles use the loch's thermal updrafts daily
- Calgary Bay — the white sand beach that is the most beautiful on any inner Hebridean island
- Tobermory harbour — pastel-coloured buildings above the harbour; BBC Balamory filming location
- Loch Scridain at low tide — the Ross of Mull granite glowing pink in evening light
Day-by-day stages
Day 1
Craignure to Tobermory via Fionnphort
Craignure → Tobermory
55 km
↑ 1100m
South through Glen More, west to Fionnphort and the Iona crossing, then north up the island's spine through Bunessan and Salen to Tobermory.
Overnight: Tobermory Hotel; Tobermory SYHA hostel; several B&Bs
Day 2
Tobermory to Craignure via Calgary
Tobermory → Craignure
35 km
↑ 700m
The shorter but scenically spectacular second day: west to Calgary Bay, south through Dervaig and Loch na Keal, east to Loch Scridain and the return to Craignure.
Overnight: N/A — finish in Craignure for ferry
Key waypoints
- 1. Craignure
- 2. Torosay Castle
- 3. Loch Don
- 4. Pennyghael
- 5. Fionnphort
- 6. Iona ferry
- 7. Bunessan
- 8. Loch Scridain
- 9. Salen
- 10. Tobermory
- 11. Dervaig
- 12. Calgary Bay
- 13. Craignure return
Cafés & pubs on route
- · Àrd na Mara café, Tobermory
- · Fish & Chip van, Fionnphort (seasonal)
- · Calgary Farmhouse café
- · Pennyghael Hotel
Named climbs
- Torosay approach (320m)
- Loch Scridain head (380m)
- Loch na Keal climb (290m)
Notable descents
- Glen More descent
- Loch Spelve drop
- Salen approach
Ferry logistics
Book bike spaces well in advance — summer crossings to Isle of Mull & Iona fill fast. Ferry schedules are fixed: missing the last return means an unplanned overnight. Check calmac.co.uk for timetables and bike reservations.
Route notes
The CalMac ferry from Oban to Craignure (45 minutes) runs multiple times daily — book bikes. The Iona crossing from Fionnphort is a passenger-only ferry (no bikes on Iona itself — lock at Fionnphort). Tobermory to Craignure on day two can use the B8073 coastal road (via Tobermory, Salen, Loch Don) which avoids the A848 tourist main road.
Island conditions & season
White-tailed eagles are year-round. Otters are most visible October–March when there are fewer boat disturbances. May–June for wildflowers and best light. The Calgary Bay beach section can be rideable in winter — Mull rarely gets extreme cold. The two-day circuit needs settled weather for day one's Iona visit.
Key hazards
- Iona is bike-free — must lock at Fionnphort
- Single-track roads with poor passing place etiquette from campervan drivers
- The Loch Scridain head road is the most exposed section — check forecast
Water sources on route
- Multiple burns throughout
- Water taps at Tobermory and Fionnphort
Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.
OS map sheets
Nearest hill
Dun da Ghaoithe
766m · argyll-bute
View hill
Nearest bothy
Ruin Dorcha
Walk-in: 8 km · argyll
View bothy
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:20
- Sunset
- 21:19
- Civil dawn
- 04:32
- Civil dusk
- 22:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026
Common questions
- Can I visit Iona with my bike?
- Bikes are not permitted on Iona (the island community has a no-motor and minimal-cycle policy to preserve its character). Lock your bike at the Fionnphort ferry terminal and take the passenger ferry across for a 2–3 hour visit on foot.
- When is the white-tailed eagle most likely to be seen?
- The eagles hunt from the Loch na Keal shore daily — the loch's thermal lift is ideal. Morning from 09:00–11:00 is the most reliable window. The RSPB operates an eagle watch point at Loch Frisa on the island — coordinates available from the Tobermory tourist office.
- How far is Tobermory from the ferry at Craignure?
- Tobermory is 35km from Craignure via the A848. On day one the circuit route goes the long way via Fionnphort (55km total). The direct A848 is a flat, quick alternative if you arrive late on the ferry.
- Is a two-day circuit necessary or can I do it in one day?
- 90km with 1,800m in one day is achievable for a very fit rider in long summer daylight — allow 10 hours. But Iona, Calgary Bay, and Tobermory all deserve time that the one-day approach doesn't allow. Two days is the right answer.