The second most epic bike climb in Scotland.

Cycling Maovally, Scotland

Ride 3.2 miles gaining 1,058’ at 6.3% average grade.

In his X-List Simon Warren writes of this wonderful and remote bike climb:

“There are no words to describe the magnificence of this road, no adequate superlatives nor flowery prose could every come close to doing it justice. . . A service road for two small power stations, well surfaced, closed to traffic but open to the public and situated in some of the most pristine scenery in all of Scotland, it is all but PERFECT.”

Maovally is in the far north of Scotland and accessed by traveling down some very remote and narrow backroads. I was not able to drive to the precise start point of the climb, as it was gated off by a power company. I parked about four miles away on a pull off on the A838 highway and rode into the start point. There is a gate for pedestrians, so you won’t need to hop any fences or break any rules to ride the climb, it seems the gate is just to keep motor traffic out. Our route starts at a nondescript section of road adjacent to the lake. You’ll enjoy having the narrow road and stunning views all to yourself here. A few turns and tough gradients wrap around the mountain and take you to the summit point which is unmarked. Unlike many of the Scottish climbs that are well-known cycling and hiking destinations, Maovally is remote and seemingly unknown.

Ride to the start of the climb from the gate.

Start the climb alongside Loch Shin in the Scottish North West Highlands.

Loch Shin is 17 miles long.

The road as it leaves Loch Shin and climbs into the Scottish Highlands.

Finish the climb when it flattens out at an unmarked end point.

That’s a wrap!