The Route

As our aim is to complete the journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End in five days, we have divided the route into five sections. We have also planned a route that avoids all motorways, except that is for the short stretch of the M48 that crosses the River Severn at Chepstow.

Day 1 – Thursday 5th June 2008

From John O’Groats follow the A99 south along the coast to Wick, continue on the A99 to Latheron. Run on to A9 towards Inverness passing through Dunbeath, Golspie, Dornoch, Alness and Dingwall. At Inverness pick up the A82 and travel southwest following the shore of Loch Ness. Continue on A82 along the shore of Loch Lochy passing through Spean Bridge and into Fort William.

Day 2

Leaving Fort William continue on A82 along the banks of Loch Linhe and through Ballachulish, the village of Glencoe and Glen Coe itself. Stay on A82 to Crianlarich then turn left on to the A85 through Glen Ogle to Lochearnhead. Here run on to A84 towards Stirling passing through Strathyre, Callander and Doune. At Doune briefly on to A820 then B824 passing Doune Castle.

At M9 junction 11 join A9 through Bridge of Allan. Skirt around Stirling by turning LEFTon to A907, RIGHT on to A91 and LEFT on to A905. Following south bank of the Firth of Forth towards Grangemouth via Fallin, Airth and Skinflats.

At Grangemouth turn LEFT on to A904 towards Bo’Ness and Queensferry. At Queensferry turn RIGHT on to A90 towards Edinburgh. Skirt Edinburgh south on the A720 ring road to junction with A7. Join A7 south to Langholm going through Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Galashiels, Selkirk and Hawick.

Day 3

From Langholm continue south on A7 to Carlisle. At Carlisle pick up A6 towards Penrith. In Penrith join A66 towards Keswick then A592 along the shores of Ulleswater to Windermere. Turn LEFT on to A591 towards Kendall. At junction with A590 go RIGHT then LEFT on to A6 to Lancaster passing through Milnthorpe, Beetham and Carnforth.

Continue on A6 to Preston then join A59 to Bootle going through Hutton, Ruffort, Ormskirk and Maghull. Just BEFORE Bootle at junction of M58/M57 join A5036 to Litherland. At junction with A565/A561 turn LEFT on to A561 and follow River Mersey to Widnes. Run on to A533 towards Northwich and at junction with A49 turn RIGHT on to A49 south towards Shrewsbury. Go through Sandiway, Cotebrook, Tarlporley, Spurstow, Whitchurch and Prees to Hadnall.

Day 4

From Hadnall continue south on A49 through Shrewsbury towards Hereford passing Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Leominster to Hereford. At Hereford stay on A49 through Portway and Kingsthorne then take RIGHT fork on to A466 to Monmouth via St Weonards and Welsh Newton. At Monmouth join B4293 (Portal Road) to Cheostow going through Mitchel Troy, Trelleck and Devauden. At Chepstow join A48 then take M48 Severn Road Bridge. Leave M48 at junction M48-J1 in direction of Avonmouth, Services, A403. Continue on A403 to Avonmouth.

At Avonmouth join A4 towards Bristol. Continue on to junction with A38 and turn RIGHT towards Bridgwater and Bristol Airport going through Bishopsworth, Axbridge and Highbridge. At Bridgwater turn RIGHT on to A39 towards Minehead going through Williton, Porlock, Lynton to Barnstaple.

Day 5

From Barnstaple continue on A39 to Northam then turn LEFT on to A386 to Bideford. Just south of Bideford take RIGHT fork on to A388 towards Launceston. Continue on A388 going through Frithelstock Stone, Holsworthy, St Giles on the Heath to Launceston. At Launceston turn RIGHT on to A30 to Bodmin, Redruth and Penzance. Stay on A30 all the way to Land’s End.