The Bealach na Ba - The Pass of the Cattle

[Diskybawz]

did this is 2010 about 2 months after passing my bike test. This is the most spectacular place on earth, and the sunset from Applecross bay is fantastic



[epcotcentre]

A disabled man was pedaling up here with his hands when we went up! He had a little flag on the back of his specially adapted bike. My wife refuses to go on this road now.

[stuYZFR1]

Great vid, was up there last year on my Tiger....you on a Triumph 3 cyl by any chance??

[ScottMcK9]

Incredible scenery, can't say been to Skye, but absolutely adore this road, would be a dream to travel on, how narrow it is and how remote that place is, it almost looks and feels like just pure freedom! love it!

[Piltdownpaul]

Just did this route on Wednesday. The wind was so fast once we reached the switchback hairpins you couldnt breather-an awesome place

[twpduk]

@Piltdownpaul

Thanks! I was up there again 2 weeks ago - should have some more video again soon.

[UltimateMobiles]

I went over the pass on Saturday there in very wet conditions, done it a few times. The vis at the top was terrible, could not see the bends until you were on them, even tho still a great run.

[curlycrumper]

Any tips welcome. I shall sound this area out this year and when I win the lotto I shall bring all the boys each on a BMW 1200 GS ! Let`s enjoy life- it`s not a rehearsal! Keep on biking!

[curlycrumper]

Heading up here in 2 weeks on my 600 trail bike and a mini tent and rucksack. Can`t wait. Who needs Benidorm?

[twpduk]

@curlycrumper

Excellent! Are you staying at the Applecross campsite? The food in Applecross Inn is well worth trying.

Benidorm? Pah! Not when you have places like the Applecross peninsula.

[ScottMcK9]

@curlycrumper You don't need benidorm mate, why would you, Scotland's scenery puts Spain to shame.

[YoshuaRider]

love this vid, applecross penisula and lochcarron is such a brilliant place. Don't think my weeny 125 would be able to cope with this though.

[twpduk]

@YoshuaRider

Just do it mate...your bike will be fine and you'll be better for it :-)

[stuYZFR1]

Great vid!! are you on a triumph triple by any chance???

[twpduk]

@stuYZFR1

Yes I was mate. Thanks for that - glad you liked it. It's a fabulous road so if you ever get the chance...do it!

[stuYZFR1]

@twpduk Thought it was, ive just part-ex'd an R1 for a new Tiger 1050, it makes the best noise ive ever heard a bike make, got Arrow can fitted by dealer..Going up to skye in Aug, travel up all day friday have sat and sun for a couple of decent rides then travel back down on the monday...cant wait.

[twpduk]

@stuYZFR1

Triples sound fab with a decent pipe on - the video doesn't do mine justice..altho' I do prefer the sound of my Ducati. Still...it's great to ride a British bike! :-)

I am up there again in August too - not the bank Holiday, but the week before. PM me if you want some pointers about where to ride.

[stephenwmccullough]

you should try cycling up...

[twpduk]

@stephenwmccullough

Errrrrr....no thanks. That's for the seriously off the wall types! Fair play to you for doing it though.

[matjinthol]

we do this road every year at the applecross highland games, it can catch you out when the gravel has been spread about the road, we also left after camping early morning and could not see 4 feet in front of us the cloud came down so quick great video mate

[twpduk]

@matjinthol

Tell me about it. Gravel and deer are the things to watch out for - especially at night. A friend of mine was knocked off his bike in front of me at night when a stag jumped the road and hit him side on. Fortunately he was unhurt and his bike only lightly damaged.

[flynn763]

Did this road a couple of weeks ago with a friend on our motorbikes - weather was'nt great but the road more than made up for it!!

[twpduk]

I can't imagine that the weather would be anything less than pants at this time of year, but I'm glad you liked it. I'll be back in May.

[aljoeven]

A stunning video! Thanks for the experience! If I can persuade my elderly MGB Roadster to travel from Wales to Scotland this is definitely one of the drives I shall have on my schedule!!

[grammakool]

I drove up on a beautiful day in May 2009. I was over in a trip from Canada. Your videos is the best I have found to show people what the trip was like. I will be back

[twpduk]

Thanks very much! :-)

I am up there again this month and hope to have some more video if the weathers gods are kind to me...so keep an eye open on my page!

[kevinthe70s]

we did this run for the first time in july 2008,the view from the parking area at the summit was awesome. The weather was hot& clear, i jest not,hope its the same this year, great vid thanks

[NorthLimitation]

Ha! I believe you, the weather isn't always bad on the West Coast.

[bentleymurray]

Excellent.... I've just crossed the Bealach na Ba in a 1923 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. It must be one of the most wonderful roads in Scotland!

[twpduk]

Brilliant! Photographs please?

[Bawhair1]

Love it up there. My old mands family are from Applecross. Im going up in May and September this year to do the 2 sportives Bealach beag and bealach mor. 45 miles and 92 miles of cycling respectively with the bealach thrown in the middle of them both for good measure. Hopefully get decent weather. Thanks for posting the video.

[twpduk]

Good luck! I shall be up there again at some point this year. Hopefully May or in August.

[almeraman]

many thanks for posting this. I never knew where this road was, having seen it many times in papers and mags. Now I know, It will be top of my to do list this summer. As for Achnasheen, I stayed in the old station hotel back in the early 1980's before it burnt down. Only hotel I know with a breakfast view of the arriving express to Inverness.

[ShellaLaRoche]

This road is so interesting. I drove it myself on a foggy day. I was real glad that I didn't see all the way down. We drove through Applecross along Loch Torridon as the sun came through the clouds. That was amazing!

And if you need a coffee go have a break at "The station" shop at Achnasheen. Nice people and great cakes.

[twpduk]

Hi Shella... I've not tried the shop in Achnasheen, but I've used the loos in the station! I've always got there too late on the way back to my hotel either at Torridon or Applecross. I'll try to get there earlier this year!

[yaarmirza]

Hi i want to go from glasgow could you please give me a bit more detail if I want to put it in the satnav.

Thanks

[twpduk]

It's the road from Kishorn to Applecross. ENJOY!

[creidsinn]

The pass of the cattle. Much better road now by the looks of things.

Memories:) ten years of them!

Why did you turn back?

[twpduk]

I only turned back because that was about the 4th time that day I had been up & down it! I go up there each year and spend lots of time riding those roads...it's almost obligatory for me to pop into the Applecross Inn for a pint and some of their excellent food...usually whilst watching the sun set across Raasay :-)

[twpduk]

That's the road from Applecross to Shieldaig...yep, it is very nice with stunning views across to Raasay and beyond...on a calm day it's possible to see for miles :-)

[holmfirthgirl]

Ahhhh that brought back memories!! :o)) the road round the back of Applecross is a nice ride aswell!

[VFR800sco]

I went over this road in Sept this year on a ride out.Raining foggy visibility was nil..NOT ADVISABLE. thanx for video

[twpduk]

Yeah...I've done it a few times in fog, rain and snow. Like you say - not advisable!

[archietri]

i did that in my bicycle took me 45mins and going down was harder!that was after 45miles of cycling beforehand.

[twpduk]

I think I did it via the easier method! Downhill on a bicyle should be fun - in neutral on the bike it's possible to hit 90mph!

[LeChardon]

Just back myself from three days round Skye and Loch Torridan. Took the Bealach over to Applecross. Unfortunately our weather wasn't as good! Great vid!

[twpduk]

The Triumph of course - can't you hear it? Ya should know what it sounds like by now Mac!

[mac600uk]

Which bike were you using?