5 day North Coast 500 itinerary – route guide 2026

In this guide we will share the best 5 day north coast 500 itinerary for 2026. Our aim is to share everything you need to know to plan your adventure in a single comprehensive guide. This in depth itinerary includes places to stay, route, activities, top tips and more. 

We absolutely love Scotland and highly recommend the north coast 500 if you’re hoping to explore some of the most remote and intrepid parts of the UK. There are many things to do along the route. Whether you love history, adventure, nature, photography or a bit of everything! We have included a wide range of activities and attractions to make sure you do miss any of the best bits. 

With 5 days you will need to be selective. You can’t do everything so you will need to pick a selection of your favorites. In this article we have also included booking links to make booking super convenient. In this article we have used affiliate links – this enables us to earn a small commission when you book and at no extra cost to you.

MAP – 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary

Here is a map of the route including stopping places and things to do along the way. Remember you can’t do everything! So pick your favorite things and focus on these. ALSO we have recommended a rhythm where you SEE and DO then DRIVE. In other words, make the most of each destination in the morning and then drive to the next place in the afternoon or evening. Pick a rhythm that works for you. 

Summary – 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary

Day	Summary	Best places to stay
Day 1 Inverness to John O’ Groats	190km and 2.5 hourCheck out some sites along the way such as Golspie, Dunrobin & other castles.Explore John O Groats. Walk along the cliffs to see the Duncansby Sea Stacks. Don’t miss Dunnet’s head and beach.	Places to stay in John O’ Groats: Horseshoecroft, Aurora Bed and Breakfast and Braeside Retreats
Day 2: John O’ Groats to Sangobeg	140km and 2 hoursDrive to Sangobeg. Don’t miss Strathnaver Museum (£5 entry). Golden Eagle Zip Line and Ceannabeinne Beach.	Places to stay around Sangobeg:  Northern Lights and the Tor Druim in Drumbeg
Day 3: Sangobeg to Achmelvich	100km and 1.5 hoursExplore the Durness area. Balnakeil Beach, Ard Neakie Lime Kilns. Cocoa Mountain chocolate cafe and the Balnakeil Craft Village. Don’t miss Smoo Cave.	Places to stay around Achmelvich: North Coast 500 pods in Achmelvich or the Suilven View near Lochinver
Day 4: Achmelvich to Torridon	200km and 3 hourExplore the Achmelvich area. Check out the Old Man of Stoer and the stunning Loch Assynt. Head to Torridon via Ullapool. If you have time check out Corrieshalloch Gorge: A Stunning gorge and waterfall. Stop at the stunning Inverewe viewpoint and Gairloch Beach. Also don’t miss Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.	Places to stay around Torridon:  Torridon Youth Hostel and Beinn Shieldaig Yurt
Day 5: Torridon to Inverness	95km and 1.5 hoursExplore Torridon. Check out the impressive Beinn Alligin. Take a scenic drive back to Inverness. The route back to Inverness passes Loch a’ Chroisg and Loch Luichart.	Places to stay in Inverness:  Chieftain Hotel, Alba B&B and Ness Walk

What is the North Coast 500?

The North Coast 500 is a beautiful and intrepid road trip around the north coast of Scotland. This route is a rich journey through history, culture and stunning scenery. As the name suggests, the total route is around 500 miles (830km). The official North Coast 500 Itinerary is a loop that starts and stops at Inverness castle (which actually makes it a 516 mile round trip).  

Don’t miss our guide on the best things to do in Inverness

The North Coast 500 was introduced as a “thing to do” in 2015 as an initiative to bring tourism into the very north of Scotland.  It is worth knowing that there is not just one single road that goes by the name ‘North Coast 500’, rather it is a route that joins many individual roads into a beautiful loop.  This makes it both more adventurous and more personalisable.  If anything there is too much choice which can make planning this Scotland road trip actually quite tricky. 

Looking for more inspo? Don’t miss our full guide on amazing things to do in Sutherland also if you’re doing the North Coast 500 you will need to drive around the coast of Caithness – so we have published a detailled guide on things to do in Caithness

Why do the North Coast 500? 

The North Coast 500 is an amazing way to see and experience some of the most beautiful scenery and wilderness in the UK. On the route you can see ancient castle ruins, beaches, stunning view points, lochs and wildlife. If you love hiking there are many epic hikes along the way. If you love adventure, you can even take a zipline across a beach. Stop at cafes and make sure you try some amazing Scottish food. 

This is also an amazing way to escape the crowds and travel to some remote hidden gems. Many sections of the north and west coast are particularly beautiful and desolate – and at many points you really feel like you have an entire area to yourself. So if you’re looking to get off the beaten track and slow down – the North Coast 500 is a great choice. 

How long should you allow for the North Coast 500?

If you don’t have a lot of time it is possible to do the North Coast 500 in just 5 days and still have an amazing experience. 5 days still includes some of the BEST stops on the route and you will need to drive an average of 100 miles per day (roughly 160km). This is likely to be around 3 – 4 hours driving depending on the roads and conditions. 

If you have more time, we recommend taking one week as the ideal amount of time. A 7 day itinerary allows you to slow down, chill out and take more stops. You can see more and drive less per day. However, if you don’t have a full week, 5 days is still sufficient. 

Where does the North Coast 500 start and finish?

Inverness Castle is the short answer. The 3 North Coast 500 Itineraries we have designed for all start and stop here.  It is a great place to prepare, pick up supplies and if needed rent cars, camper vans and motorhomes.  

Inverness is also beautiful in its own right and worth exploring.  Every full North Coast 500 Itinerary does have to start and stop here if you want to say you have completed it as a route, but of course, how you do your Scotland road trip is totally up to you! Pretty much any direction you drive in is beautiful!

How much does it cost to do the North Coast 500?

The exact cost of the North Coast 500 itinerary depends how you do it, where you stay, how long you take and what you do along the way. Just uncase you’re wondering, there are no road fees, permits or tolls for this route.

Example budget for a cheap 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary:

• Accommodation: Wild camp & use campsites. Allow £40 for a few campsites along the way. Other people use a campervan or even sleep in cars! 
• Food: Eat basic supermarket food. Allow around £10 per day. Total £50 for the 5 day trip.
• Activities: Allow £20 to visit a couple of places of interest. 
• Petrol: Expect to use around 60 liters of petrol or more for the entire route. Most cars will need to refill at least once on the route. Expect to pay around £80 – £100 for petrol depending on the efficiency of your car, how you drive and whether you take detours. 

Overall a low budget trip like this is likely to cost around £200 for the 5 day itinerary. A big proportion of the cost is petrol. If you don’t own your own car you will also need to consider rental costs. 

Example of an average budget North Coast 500 itinerary: 

• Accommodation: Wild camp & use campsites. Allow £500 to stay in Pods, B&B’s and hotels along the way
• Food: Eat out a little. Allow around £20 per day. Total £100 for the 5 day trip.
• Activities: Allow £40 to visit places of interest. 
• Petrol: Expect to use around 60 liters of petrol or more for the entire route. Most cars will need to refill at least once on the route. Expect to pay around £80 – £100 for petrol depending on the efficiency of your car, how you drive and whether you take detours. 

An average holiday itinerary for a 5 day trip is likely to cost around £740. This could be cheaper if you save money by hunting for cheaper places to stay and also shopping beforehand so you are less reliant on eating out. 

In Depth – 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary

Day 1: Inverness to John O’ Groats

The first day of this 5 day North Coast 500 itinerary starts with a drive up the east coast from Inverness to John O’ Groats. The route follows that A9 and then the A99. This beautiful drive is around 190km and is likely to take 2.5 – 3 hours plus stopping time. Here are a few things that you can see along the way:

On your way out of Inverness you may be interested in visiting Eco Ventures in Cromarty. This is an eco adventure company offering boat trips and wildlife watching trips. Don’t miss the Glenmorangie distillery just outside Tain. You can also take a short detour and watch seals on the south side of loch fleet.

Golspie is another lovely stop along this section. Dunrobin castle, Ben Bhraggie or check out the Big Burn waterfall walk (this is not as challenging or painful as it sounds. It is a relatively short walk to a lovely waterfall).

As you head further north you can see historical relics such as coastal castles. If you have time for a short detour check out the eerie Grey Cairnes of Camster.  This is an ancient neolithic burial mound. Also Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – a very beautiful castle ruin on the coast before you reach John O’Groats. Keep your eye open for Wick castle on the coast. 

Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to John O’Groats

Places to stay around John O’ Groats: Horseshoecroft (on Agoda and on booking.com), Aurora Bed and Breakfast (on Agoda and on booking.com) and Braeside Retreats (on Agoda and on booking.com)

Day 2: John O’ Groats to Sangobeg

The second day North Coast 500 itinerary is a scenic drive along the north coast. This section is around 140km. Expect this section to take around 2 – 3 hours. We recommend taking some time to explore John O’ Groats before you set off. 

John O’ Groats is a beautiful village, famous for being the longest distance point from Land’s end. The town has cafes, pubs and a few shops. And of course the famous John O’ Groats signpost. We also highly recommend a walk along the cliffs to see the Duncansby Sea Stacks. There are normally many puffins nesting in the panoramic cliffs. Near John O’ Groats, Dunnet’s head is actually the northernmost tip of mainland Britain. And don’t miss the stunning Dunnet beach. 

After exploring John O’ Groats, drive along the north coast to Sangobeg. Along the way don’t miss the Bettyhill Viewpoint. This is a great spot to stop for a cup of tea and enjoy views over rugged moorland. A little further you can visit the Strathnaver Museum (£5 entry). This is a small museum packed with artifacts and displays.

Oh yeah, and don’t miss the Golden Eagle Zip Line. This impressive zipline is located at Ceannabeinne Beach and reaches speeds of up to 45mph. It costs £15 per person. It is not possible to pre-book, just show up and see if they’re running. The zipline can be closed in periods of bad weather. We also recommend visiting Ceannabeinne Beach itself. This is a very beautiful beach. 

Places to stay around Sangobeg: Check out the Northern Lights (available on booking.com) and the Tor Druim in Drumbeg (on Agoda and on booking.com)

Day 3: Sangobeg to Achmelvich

Start by exploring the Durness area. There is a lot to do before you set off on your journey: Balnakeil Beach is very impressive. If you’re interested in history check out the Ard Neakie Lime Kilns. This is an abandoned Lime Kiln located on a chilly Peninsula. You may also be interested in the Cocoa Mountain chocolate cafe in Balnakeil and the Balnakeil Craft Village.

Make sure you don’t miss out on their hot chocolates! Just beyond Sangobeg village don’t miss Smoo Cave. This beautiful cave can only be explored by boat and it costs £10 per person for entry, cash only. 

Once you have finished exploring the Durness area, drive to Achmelvich. The journey is around 100km and is likely to take around 1.5 hours. The drive to Achmelvich is very beautiful. 

Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to Achmelvich

Places to stay around Achmelvich: Check out the North Coast 500 pods in Achmelvich (available on Agoda) or the Suilven View near Lochinver (available on Agoda and on booking.com)

Day 4: Achmelvich to Torridon

Start by exploring the Achmelvich area. Achmelvich is one of Scotland’s most beautiful beaches. Check out the Old Man of Stoer a short drive up the coast. This is a unique and spectacular cliff stack surrounded by very beautiful cliffs and clear water. Whilst you’re in the area make sure you check out the stunning Loch Assynt. If you have time and you’re up for a more challenging trek you can visit Eas a’ Chual Aluinn: Britain’s highest waterfall – It’s a big trek to get there but so worth it! You may need to allow an extra day for this intrepid adventure.

On the way to Torridon we recommend stopping in Ullapool. This is a larger town with shops, restaurants, pubs and even a supermarket. This is a great location to stock up. Don’t miss the spectacular Corrieshalloch Gorge: A Stunning gorge and waterfall with an Iconic suspension bridge with serious Indiana Jones vibes!

The route passes Loch Broom, Little Loch Broom, Loch Ewe and Loch Maree. Along the way you can also stop at the stunning Inverewe Viewpoint and the beautiful Gairloch Beach. Also don’t miss Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. If you have time you can hike and explore one of the many stunning national nature reserve trails.

This journey finishes at Torridon (a lovely town by loch Torridon). From here you can get stunning views over the loch with a backdrop of steep panoramic mountains. Don’t miss the impressive Beinn Alligin. There is an impressive and challenging round walk up this steep mountain. 

Places to stay around Torridon: Torridon Youth Hostel (on Agoda and on booking.com) and Beinn Shieldaig Yurt (on Agoda and on booking.com)

Day 5: Torridon to Inverness

For the final day of this 5 day north coast 500 itinerary take a scenic drive back to Inverness. We recommend taking a slow start to the day and enjoying Torridon before completing your epic journey. The route back to Inverness passes Loch a’ Chroisg and Loch Luichart.

Places to stay in Inverness: Chieftain Hotel (on Agoda and on booking.com), Alba B&B (on booking.com) and Ness Walk (on Agoda and on booking.com)

Top tips for the North Coast 500

Here are a few top tips to help you make the most of your 5 day north coast 500 itinerary: 

• You can’t do everything: With 5 days you need to keep a reasonable pace and momentum. So plan and pick the best bits – the things you really want to see. 
• Work out your rhythm: Decide when you prefer to drive. If you’re doing the north coast 500 with kids you may need to work around their routine. We have recommended exploring each destination in the morning and driving in the afternoon (but whatever works for you)
• Fuel Up and Stock Up: Fuel stations can be sparse in some remote areas, so fill up your vehicle’s tank whenever you have the chance. Additionally, stock up on food, water, and other essentials at larger towns along the route to ensure you have everything you need during the journey.
• Book Accommodation well in Advance: The North Coast 500 has gained popularity, so it’s recommended to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak travel seasons. From campsites to cozy B&Bs and hotels, plan your overnight stays ahead to secure the best options.
• Drive with Caution: The North Coast 500 includes narrow, winding roads, and some sections can be challenging to navigate. Take your time, drive cautiously, and be prepared to encounter larger vehicles, cyclists, and wildlife on the road. Some of the roads are very narrow and can be steep in places.
• Take Breaks and Enjoy the Scenery: The North Coast 500 offers breathtaking landscapes, picturesque villages, and historic sites. Take breaks along the way to soak in the beauty, snap photos, and explore the hidden gems. Remember to follow parking regulations and respect the local environment.
• Use offline maps: We highly recommend using an offline map (such as maps.me) service or sat nav for navigation. Mobile data can be quite limited along some sections of the North Coast 500. 
• Consider taking breakdown recovery insurance: Check they cover more remote locations and always read the T&C’s even if they are mind numbingly boring. 

Packing list for the North Coast 500

Here’s a packing list for the North Coast 500 road trip in Scotland. This is not a comprehensive packing list. Rather, this is just a starting point to help you begin planning some things you might need:

• Warm and waterproof jacket
• Layered clothing for variable weather conditions
• T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts
• Sweaters or fleeces
• Waterproof pants or hiking trousers
• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• Hat and gloves (especially if traveling in colder months)
• Valid driver’s license
• Vehicle documents and insurance papers
• GPS or navigation device & offline maps (check out maps.me)
• Mobile phone and charger (a car phone charger could be very handy!)
• Cash and credit/debit cards
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Books or entertainment for the road
• First aid kit
• Water bottle
• Plenty of snacks (and meals if you’re staying in self-catered accommodation)
• Plastic bags for wet or dirty clothes
• Daypack or backpack for day trips

Remember to pack according to the time of year you’re visiting and the activities you plan to engage in. It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before your trip and make adjustments to your packing list accordingly. Also, plan your food carefully. Some sections of the north and west coast are very remote and you wont find many shops. 

What is the best time of year to do the North Coast 500

The best time of year to do the North Coast 500 road trip in Scotland is generally during the late spring to early autumn months, specifically from May to September:

• Weather: During these months, the weather in Scotland is relatively mild and better for outdoor activities. While it can still be changeable, you can expect longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and a lower chance of rain compared to the colder months.
• Scenic Beauty: The late spring and summer months offer lush green landscapes, blooming wildflowers, and vibrant colors throughout the North Coast 500 route. The scenery is at its most picturesque during this time, providing stunning backdrops for your journey.
• Accessibility: The North Coast 500 encompasses some remote areas, and some attractions, accommodations, and facilities may have limited availability or even be closed during the winter months. Traveling during the peak season ensures that you’ll have a wider range of options for accommodations, dining, and activities along the route.
• Longer Days: May to September offers longer daylight hours, allowing you to make the most of your road trip and explore the attractions and landscapes at a more leisurely pace. It provides ample time to take breaks, go for hikes, and fully enjoy the breathtaking views.
• Festivals and Events: Scotland hosts various festivals and events during the summer months, such as Highland Games, music festivals, and cultural celebrations. Incorporating these events into your North Coast 500 trip can add an extra layer of cultural immersion and entertainment.

It’s worth noting that the North Coast 500 has gained popularity in recent years, and it can be challenging to find accommodation in the peak summer months of July and August. If you prefer quieter travel and don’t mind slightly cooler temperatures, consider traveling in May or September, when the weather is still pleasant, and tourist numbers are slightly lower.