Climb 8 of 22Wester Ross, Scotland
Bealach na Bà
Its Gaelic name means "pass of the cattle". Bealach na Bà is a mountain road in Wester Ross, in the Scottish Highlands, that climbs from Loch Kishorn over to Applecross on the west coast.
- km long
- 8.7
- metres up
- 571
- steepest part
- 20%
- Flat
- Gentle
- Steady
- Hard
- Steep
How long does it take to ride up Bealach na Bà?
For a rider who weighs 75 kg, riding at a steady pace with no stops:
- New to exercise: about 1 hr 32 min
- I ride now and then: about 1 hr 10 min
- I ride most weeks: about 52 min
Put in your own weight and fitness to see your time.
Ride Bealach na Bà at home
In Couch to Climb, the plan for Bealach na Bà is 10 weeks, with 3 rides a week on your smart trainer. It is climb 8 of 22. You start on Box Hill for free, then work up the climbs one at a time.
About the climb
The climb starts at Tornapress, by Loch Kishorn. The single track road runs up through rocky corries and twists up very tight hairpin bends. It gets steeper the higher you go, and the hardest part is near the top.
Drovers once used the pass to move their cattle, which is how it got its name. Since 2006 it has been the centre of two sportives, which are long organised rides: the Bealach Beag in May and the Bealach Mòr in September.
Riding it for real
The road is single track and often impassable in winter, so check the weather before you go.
Questions about riding Bealach na Bà
Its Gaelic name means "pass of the cattle". Bealach na Bà is a mountain road in Wester Ross, in the Scottish Highlands, that climbs from Loch Kishorn over to Applecross on the west coast.
What does Bealach na Bà mean?
It is Scottish Gaelic for "pass of the cattle". Drovers once used it to move their herds.
Where does the Bealach na Bà climb start?
This climb starts at Tornapress, by Loch Kishorn, and climbs west towards Applecross.
Is the Bealach na Bà open in winter?
The road is often impassable in winter, so check before you go.
Updated . Written by Next Big Leap Ltd, who make the Couch to Climb app.
Ride up a famous climb on your indoor bike
Couch to Climb is a step by step plan for a smart trainer at home. It takes you from the sofa to the top of a real climb, with no stops. Your first climb, Box Hill, is free.
