Brought to you by
ORDNANCE SURVEY
The North Coast 500 – or NC500 for short – is truly a sight to behold. This spectacular 516-mile road trip is driving heaven. Weaving around the Scottish Highlands, the route has it all. White sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, jagged mountains, shimmering blue lochs and remote fishing villages.
But if you just stay on the road, you’ll miss some of the best experiences on offer. Things like walks to take in the scenery at a more relaxed pace.
Opportunities to discover nature. The chance to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells that you just can’t get in the car.
And that’s where Ordnance Survey steps in, with its new OS Pathfinder Guide: North Coast 500 and Northern Highlands – a unique walking and touring guidebook featuring routes based on (or accessible from) the NC500.
Including 28 stunning walks and 32 not-to-be-missed stop-off strolls, the guide is packed with information to help you delight in the glorious landscapes of the Northern Highlands.
Written and compiled by Highland-based expert author and campervan touring enthusiast Felicity Martin, the guide follows the NC500 in a clockwise circuit.
The walks are sequentially numbered along the route, with the driving distances between each one highlighted.
Using good paths and allowing time for driving and sightseeing, the 28 walks appeal to a wide range of tastes.
There are 12 shorter walks ranging from 1 to 3 hours; 12 half-day walks from 3 to 4 ½ hours; and 4 full-day walks. Each route is easy to navigate with clear, large-scale OS Explorer mapping, route overlays and turn-by-turn instructions.
Among the recommended walks is one at Knockan Crag, where you’ll follow a path through some of the oldest rocks on earth. The route at Sandwood Bay reveals one of Britain's most beautiful beaches.
Ben Hope, the most northerly Munro, offers epic views from the summit. Duncansby Head delivers remarkable cliffs, natural arches and sea stacks. Fyrish Monument offers panoramic views of Cromarty Firth.
And then there’s the book’s 32 stop-off stroll recommendations. Locations around the NC500 where you can pull over safely at a recognised parking area for a short unguided stroll and discover a range of experiences, including waterfalls, viewpoints, historic sites, and secret coves and caves.
The guide also takes the stress out of planning, featuring a route planner with itinerary options, plus tips on driving safely, touring, and advice on midges and ticks.
In fact, OS Pathfinder: North Coast 500 and Northern Highlands transforms the route from a driving tour to an utterly unforgettable experience.
Why not start your NC500 adventure today: os.uk/nc500
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