The Etape Loch Ness is Scotland’s largest and most iconic closed road cycle sportive taking place around iconic Loch Ness offering the chance to cycle 66 miles (106 km) on traffic free roads. The stunning 360° route around the loch starts and finishes in the Highland capital of Inverness with 900m of ascent.
Whether it’s fundraising with your own place or securing a Team Macmillan charity place – why not use your ride to help Macmillan Cancer Support be there for the 3 million people living with cancer across the UK.
Apart from the opportunity to visit one of the world’s best known destinations, with breath-taking scenery and the centuries-old myth and mystery of the Loch Ness monster…
Etape Loch Ness riders are taking on the challenge for many reasons: to achieve their own personal goals, raise money for good causes or simply to cycle in one of the UK’s most popular cycle sportives renowned for its scenery, atmosphere and warm Highland welcome.
Your entry fee includes finisher’s medal, event giveaway, timed results including KOM/QOM split time, downloadable finisher’s certificate, mechanical support and support stations along the route.
It’s important we have up-to-date details for you. You can update your details by following the ‘manage your entry’ link in your entry confirmation email from Let’s Do This or by logging in here. The deadline to update your details is by 29 March 2026.
Your entry cannot be transferred to someone else. Please see our General Conditions of Entry for more details.
Never swap your bib number with any other participant, as this could cause problems for our medical teams and timing service. If event organisers become aware of anyone who swaps their bib number they will be disqualified.
In 2025, riders can substitute RideLondon for the 2025 Etape Loch Ness as part of their London Classics. Find out more here.
Participants who wish to complete the London Classics at the Etape Loch Ness are required to apply here by 16.00 on 10 April 2025.
We understand that London Marathon Events has emailed all participants who applied for their London Classics medal. For further enquiries, please email [email protected]
Road bikes are preferable, however it is possible to take part on gravel, mountain, hybrid touring bikes and tandem bikes are also acceptable.
Please note that fixed wheel bikes are not permitted. Please refer to General Terms & Conditions for list of bikes that are not permitted.
An electric bike or Ebike is permitted, provided it is a UK road legal bike with maximum electro speed of 15.5 mph (25 kph) and rated power output of 250 watts or less.
A recumbent bicycle or trike is permitted however riders will be required to have a head height safety flag attached to the bicycle.
Bikes which are not of standard design must be approved by the organisers prior to the event. The organisers reserve the right to withdraw a participant from the event if their bike is considered, in the organiser’s opinion, to represent a danger to the cyclist or other participants. Please get in touch with any queries.
Yes, tandem bikes are permitted. Both participants are required to enter as individual riders; please make sure you both enter the same estimated finish time and enter the same ‘Team Name’ when you enter online.
You are not permitted to have unconventional handlebars including triathlon bars, aero bars, clip-ons, prayer bars, Spinaci bars and cow bars. However, MTB bar ends are permitted on mountain bikes.
Please be aware that weather conditions can change and deteriorate rapidly in the Scottish Highlands and we recommend you check the weather forecast and wear appropriate clothing to keep warm and dry in any adverse weather.
It is recommended you arrive at the start with two full bottles of water and energy snacks for the ride.
Please refer to our mandatory and recommended kit list here.
Our aim is to support every participant, whatever their pace, from start to finish and provide the best possible experience.
An average of 13mph is the slowest possible speed participants can travel at to be within the agreed timescale to re-open the roads as agreed with the authorities and local communities. This gives participants 5 hours 38 minutes from the departure of the last start wave to complete the course on closed roads.
After the cut-off time, participants will be allowed to continue on the route but will have to obey normal traffic regulations and be aware of traffic as roads are open to the public.
For those participants who choose not to continue on open roads or can no longer continue due to a medical or mechanical reason, our sweep vehicle will collect and return you and your bike to the Event Hub in Inverness.
We have kept road closures to a minimum to ensure the safety of participants and other road users. Details of road closures will be available here in early 2026. Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.
If you or someone you know has an essential journey to make, please let us know in advance and we will work with you to find a solution wherever possible. Please email us.
Parking is available at the following public car parks over event weekend, see parking map. Parking charges will apply and traffic wardens will be in operation, park in marked bays only.
Where possible we recommend car sharing, using public transport or cycling / walking to the Event Hub.
Disabled parking spaces are available at Eden Court Theatre and Highland Council car parks.
Please note there will be temporary traffic restrictions in place on the day of the event in and around Inverness and Loch Ness and plan your journey carefully.
You will receive an email confirming your rider number, start wave and Event Guide at least 2 weeks prior to the event.
All participants are required to attend pre-event registration between 10.00-19.00 on Saturday 25 April 2026 to collect your rider number, see FAQ below.
Yes, all participants are required to attend pre-event registration between 10.00-19.00 on Saturday 25 April at the Event Hub at Eden Court, Bishops Road, Inverness, IV3 5SA. Please bring photo ID.
Please check our website for your rider number before coming to Registration. If your name is showing twice on the starters list. please follow the ‘manage your entry’ link in your entry confirmation email from Let’s Do This or by logging in here to check your number.
If you are not able to make registration, a friend may register on your behalf. They are required to bring their photo ID as well as a signed letter or email from you (template available here) confirming permission to collect your event pack.
Please note it is not possible to collect your event pack on the morning of the event.
Your official time is based on your timing chip, which, if fitted correctly, will record your individual time from the moment you cross the start line until you cross the finish line – it is not connected with your start wave.
Mechanical support is available during Registration on Saturday at the Event Hub for any last minute tweaks, and at the Start on Bught Park on Sunday morning.
Mechanical support is provided at the support stations along the course:
Mile 15 – Urquhart Castle, Drumnadrochit
Mile 27 – Invermoriston
Mile 42 – Wildside Centre (Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust) in Whitebridge
Mile 54.5 – between Inverfarigaig and Dores
We strongly recommend that you come prepared, and we advise all participants to carry a pump, puncture repair kit, tyre levers and a couple of spare inner tubes with you.
At 34 miles / 55km into the route as you leave Fort Augustus, there is a 4.8 mile (7.72km) climb to the Glendoe summit gaining 380m in height and at times with a gradient reaching 12%. The start and finish of the KOM/QOM section is clearly marked and all participants receive a split time for this section, which will be included with your time.
We will keep lost property for 2 weeks after the event. Please email to register any lost items, giving as much detail as you can about the item and where it may have been lost.
Please hand any found items to the Info Tent at the Event Hub.
If you have pre-purchased an official cycle jersey from our online shop, this will be available for collection from our Merchandise stand during Registration at the Event Hub on Saturday.
It will also be possible to buy cycle jerseys over the event weekend at the Event Hub, subject to stock availability.
We are committed to making our events as sustainable as possible and to minimise the event’s environmental impact however we do need your help. Read more here about some of the ways we are eliminating waste and reducing the environmental impact of the event this year.
The final 2 miles through Inverness and the finish line and Event Hub at Eden Court Theatre provide the best vantage points for spectators. First riders are expected across the finish line from 08:45 onwards, and the bulk of riders are expected between 08:450-13:00.
If you live in or are visiting any of the following villages along the route – Drumnadrochit, Invermoriston, Fort Augustus, Foyers and Dores – why not get your friends and family to give riders a cheer as they go past, it really does make a difference, however please be aware of road closures.
For safety reasons, no dogs, including assistance dogs, are permitted on the route.
Dogs are welcome in the outside areas of the Event Hub in the grounds of Eden Court. Assistance dogs only are permitted inside the tents and inside Eden Court Theatre.
Please be aware the Event Hub will be very busy over the event weekend which can create a stressful environment for dogs. We therefore recommend that you leave them at home where possible.
Inverness is the gateway city to Loch Ness and the Highlands, with an international airport and it is well served by public transport. Please check out our Visit section, which lists flights, trains, buses and car hire companies serving Inverness.
There is a wide variety of accommodation to suit all budgets in Inverness and around Loch Ness although we recommend you book early as it does get booked up over the Event Weekend.
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