Kyle Of Tongue, a national scenic area in northwest Highland, Scotland, is defined by a dramatic landscape where mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean. This region features a shallow sea loch, rocky coastlines, and diverse terrain including rolling hills, wetlands, and expansive lochs such as Loch Loyal and Loch Hope. The varied natural features, from the peaks of Ben Hope and Ben Loyal to the coastal paths, provide a setting for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, and jogging.
…42
Routes
4.2
(180)
Average rating
1736
People visited

4.5
(57)
699
hikers
7.60km
04:31
890m
890m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(38)
398
hikers
3.30km
00:58
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(14)
60
hikers
11.2km
03:04
180m
180m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
hikers
11.7km
03:39
900m
900m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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79
runners
7.61km
01:43
890m
890m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
15
runners
6.29km
00:41
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
7.37km
00:53
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
6.78km
00:50
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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24
riders
80.1km
03:35
810m
810m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.0
(1)
24
riders
75.8km
03:17
650m
650m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
20
riders
103km
04:35
860m
860m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

24
riders
98.4km
04:18
920m
920m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(1)
15
riders
86.4km
05:26
940m
940m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
77.2km
04:43
670m
670m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
2
riders
38.1km
02:50
620m
620m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
10
riders
15.4km
00:59
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Kyle Of Tongue offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, and Jogging. The area features over 40 routes across these sports. These routes have received an average rating of 4.33 out of 5 stars from more than 6,000 visitors.
The Kyle Of Tongue National Scenic Area provides diverse hiking options, from coastal walks to challenging mountain ascents. Notable routes include those around Ben Hope, Scotland's northernmost Munro, and Ben Loyal, known for its distinctive profile. The path to Castle Varrich also offers historical interest and views. More details can be found in the Hiking in Kyle Of Tongue guide.
Yes, Kyle Of Tongue offers easy hiking trails suitable for various abilities. These routes often include coastal paths and less strenuous walks. For specific recommendations, consult the Easy hikes in Kyle Of Tongue guide.
Kyle Of Tongue features several routes suitable for families. These trails often have gentler gradients and offer engaging scenery for all ages. Information on these specific routes is available in the Family-friendly hikes in Kyle Of Tongue guide.
The area is characterized by the Kyle of Tongue sea loch, a rocky coastline, and prominent mountains. Key natural features include Ben Hope, Scotland's northernmost Munro, and Ben Loyal, known as the 'Queen of Scottish Mountains'. Expansive lochs such as Loch Loyal and Loch Hope also contribute to the scenic landscape.
Kyle Of Tongue offers dedicated routes for touring cycling and road cycling, utilizing quiet roads and scenic paths. Sections of National Route 1 and EuroVelo 12 pass through or near the area. For detailed routes, refer to the Cycling in Kyle Of Tongue and Road Cycling Routes in Kyle Of Tongue guides.
The diverse network of paths and quiet roads in Kyle Of Tongue provides suitable environments for jogging. Routes range from coastal paths to trails around the lochs. Specific jogging routes and details can be found in the Running Trails in Kyle Of Tongue guide.
The Kyle Of Tongue area is rich in history, featuring ancient brochs and Neolithic settlements. A notable historical site is Castle Varrich, an old square tower overlooking the Kyle, believed to be over a thousand years old. The Kyle of Tongue Bridge and Causeway also offer historical context and views.
The Kyle Of Tongue is home to diverse wildlife. Red deer are often seen on hillsides, while the coastline and sea lochs are habitats for seabirds, seals, and otters. Bird species include golden eagles, hen harriers, and golden plovers. Salmon and sea trout inhabit the waters, and whales can be found at the mouth of the loch.
Hike durations in Kyle Of Tongue vary significantly depending on the chosen route and difficulty. Options range from short coastal walks of a few miles (kilometers) to challenging mountain ascents that can take several hours to complete. Specific route details on komoot provide estimated times and distances.
Yes, local accommodation options are available within the area. Tongue Hostel is a well-regarded option for visitors. For inquiries, Tongue Hostel can be reached at +44 (0)1847 611789 or via email at kothostelandhp@btinternet.com.
The Kyle Of Tongue National Scenic Area is managed by NatureScot. For general inquiries, NatureScot's switchboard can be reached at +44 (0)1463 725000. For specific inquiries related to the North Scotland offices, email North@nature.scot.

