The Freedom of the Isles holiday sets you up with all that’s necessary for a one way cycling holiday in the Outer Hebrides.
Hebridean Hopscotch has been offering unforgettable cycling holidays in the Outer Hebrides for many years. While we have loved providing bike hire as part of our packages, our bike hire partner will not be continuing their service beyond 2024. As a result, we are no longer able to include bike hire in our holiday packages. We do however still have great alternatives to help you explore the Hebridean Way by bike.
If you are able to arrange bike hire, we would be delighted to organise all the necessary ferries and accommodations for your journey, tailored to the distance you wish to cycle each day. Simply get in touch with us once you have confirmed bike hire for your preferred dates. We will then provide a no-obligation quote for your ferry and accommodation needs.
We recommend allowing 8 days for this trip to fully enjoy all the islands have to offer. At the end of each day, you can look forward to a comfortable stay in your choice of accommodations, whether it be cosy B&Bs, four-star hotels, or a mix of both. You can expect warm hospitality and a good night’s rest after a day of cycling.
Bike Hire
Options for bike hire are Ticket to Ride or Oban Cycles, with both providing bike hire for the Hebridean Way.
Located in Inverness, Ticket to Ride provides easy access, with options for pick up from Inverness airport or train stations. At their bike hire centre, you will collect your rental bike and any necessary equipment before starting their journey. Transfers are then available from Inverness to either Ullapool or Oban where you will begin your Hebridean cycling adventure. At the end of your trip, you can leave the bikes at your final accommodation.
At Oban Cycles, your Outer Hebrides cycling adventure starts in Oban. Once your adventure comes to an end, you can conveniently drop off your hire bike in either Stornoway or Ullapool. This allows you to continue your travels without the hassle of returning the bike to its original location, giving you more freedom to explore the stunning landscapes and unique culture of the Hebrides at your own pace. Whether you’re planning to journey further, Oban Cycles makes it easy to integrate cycling into your plans.
Travelling by air
If you prefer to travel by air, we can arrange flights with Loganair between Glasgow and Barra, allowing you to enjoy the unique experience of landing directly on a beach. Alternatively, we can book flights between Glasgow and Stornoway with both routes including return flights to Glasgow. For those driving from the south, leaving your car at Glasgow International Airport and continuing your journey to the Hebrides by air is an excellent way to avoid the need to travel back the length of the Outer Hebrides to retrieve your vehicle.
Once your travel plans are set, we recommend coordinating with either Ticket to Ride or Oban Cycles to arrange hire. Bikes would need to be collected at the starting point of your holiday in the Outer Hebrides and conveniently dropped off at the end of your journey in either Stornoway or Barra. This approach ensures a seamless and flexible experience as you explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Hebrides by bike.
What cycling experience is necessary?
Cycling holidays in the Outer Hebrides is similar to cycling anywhere else, but with a few added challenges. With daily distances up to 30 miles and set accommodations, be prepared to meet your targets. This holds true regardless of weather conditions. While cycling in sunny weather with a tailwind is delightful, you should also be ready to face rain and headwinds. In such cases, you might consider taking a taxi, but be prepared for the additional cost.
Note, we recommend booking only between May and September. Outside these months, stormy weather is common, often bringing heavy rains and strong winds that can affect your travel plans. Also we do not consider that an end-to-end cycling holiday of this type is suitable for under-12s.
Call us on 01851 706611 to chat to one of our advisors who will be happy to discuss your plans. Alternatively fill in our online holiday planner and we will help you create your own unique Western Isles cycling holiday.
A typical 8 night itinerary
While you have the freedom to choose your own places to stay, the itinerary outlined below features daily cycling distances of 20 to 30 miles. Please note that this plan does not include extra miles from side road explorations. If you would like to customise your route, our holiday advisors are available to discuss your ideas and tailor the journey to suit your needs. Additionally, if you’re interested in covering the full Hebridean Way, keep in mind that this will extend your adventure further north on Lewis.
| Travel | Stay | |
| Day 1 | Morning departure from Ullapool for your crossing to Stornoway (Lewis). | Lewis |
| Day 2 | Today, tackle the steepest (and only significant) climb of the holiday as you cross the Clisham and then descend to Tarbert, the capital of the Isle of Harris (36 miles). | Harris |
| Day 3 | Rest day in Tarbert, time to explore the Isle of Harris Distillery and Harris Tweed Shops | Harris |
| Day 4 | An easier day today, ambling along the Harris beaches, taking time off along the way, to reach Leverburgh in South Harris. (20 miles) | Harris |
| Day 5 | After crossing by ferry to Berneray, you have a choice of routes through North Uist to stay the night a little north of Benbecula. (20 miles) | North Uist |
| Day 6 | Today, make a diversion or two around some of the side roads as you travel to the south coast of South Uist to spend the night in a seaside inn. (33 miles) | South Uist |
| Day 7 | Make your way to Eriskay, where you can board a ferry for a scenic journey to the Isle of Barra. It’s worth spending time on Eriskay to explore a little, before catching your ferry. | Barra |
| Day 8 | Explore the Isle of Barra via the circular road, then take the high road and causeway to Vatersay before another night in your Barra accommodation. | Barra |
| Day 9 | An early morning departure from Castlebay for the scenic ferry crossing to Oban |
Travel information
You can begin your journey from either Oban or Ullapool, depending on what suits your travel plans best. Since CalMac ferry schedules can vary throughout the week, our local holiday advisors are here to help you find the perfect route based on your preferred dates and mainland connections. Plus, you have the flexibility to mix and match price groups, so consider these prices a helpful guide rather than a fixed cost.
| Example prices including pedal cycle hire | 01/05/26 – 30/09/26 |
| 8 nights | B&B |
| £ | |
| Option 1 – Arrive and depart by ferry | £809 |
| Option 2 – Arrive and depart by air | £1079 |
| Extra Nights | £ |
| Group 1 | £76 |
| Group 2 | £91 |
| Group 3 | £102 |
| Group 4 | £127 |
| Group 5 | £154 |
| Extra Nights: The extra night prices shown are for additional B&B only. Prices shown in this panel are per person, based on two adults travelling in one car and sharing a twin or double room. Per person prices will generally be higher for a solo traveller and lower for three or more people, please ask our advisor for more information. | |
