The North Coast 500 is the gift that keeps on giving – from epic mountains to lush waterfalls and beautiful beaches, the scenery is simply breathtaking. To get the best out of the route, which starts and ends in Inverness, I recommend doing it in an anti-clockwise direction.
I’ve always said you need at least five full days to take on this road trip of a lifetime. After all, there are more than 500 miles to cover, and so much to see and do! A full week is even better because it gives you a little more time to soak up the sights!
So, you’ve got a full week to spare? That’s great! The next thing you need is an NC500 7-day itinerary. Luckily, I’ve got you covered here in this blog!
Quick heads up: for most of us in the UK, you’ll want one day to get to Inverness and one day to get home, so this 7-day itinerary actually needs 9 days in total.
The first leg of your NC500 7-day itinerary starts in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. The wonderful Black Isle is located across the Moray Firth and this is a spot you won’t want to miss.
Head north to the Black Isle and stop off at Chanonry Point, one of the best places in the UK for dolphin-spotting! The picturesque Chanonry lighthouse makes for a wonderful photo opportunity, but the main attraction here is the dolphins in the Moray Firth. Next up, you must try the 1.5-mile Fairy Glen Falls walk if you’re able. This charming woodland walk leads you to two main waterfalls and is a great choice if you have kids or dogs in tow!
If you’re fond of the occasional pint, visit the Black Isle Brewing Company. They make world-class organic beer! Thirty minutes out of Inverness, you’ll find the spectacular Rogie Falls. It’s not directly on the NC500 route but it’s a super stop-off! A beautiful woodland walk leads you down to the river and across a suspended footbridge where you can view the majestic falls.
Finish the first day in Dornoch – a fabulous seaside town with a beautiful beach, a championship golf course and the world’s best hot chocolate! Trust me, if you’re a chocoholic you must visit Cocoa Mountain, you won’t be disappointed! Campers should check out Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park.
Kick off your second day with the Big Burn walk – a hidden gem near Golspie! It’s a spectacular short walk up a scenic gorge where you’ll criss-cross over footbridges to reach a stunning cascade. This is one of my favourite walks on the entire NC500 route!
While you’re in the Golspie area, spend a couple of hours at Dunrobin Castle & Gardens. This castle is like something out of a fairytale! It’s perfect for keeping the kids occupied, and there are some amazing falconry displays.
A little further along the route, you’ll find the wonderfully unspoiled Brora Beach, which runs alongside the local golf course. Look out for Highland cows! The beach offers great views across the Moray Firth.
If you’re able, you must visit the iconic Whaligoe Steps. The 365 zig-zagging stone steps take you down to the Whaligoe Harbour, which is surrounded on three sides by epic 250ft cliffs. Keep an eye out for local legend Davy, the unofficial caretaker. His stories are legendary!
End the day in Wick, home to Old Pulteney Distillery and the world’s shortest street, Ebenezer Place (just 2.06m long). If you’re camping, Wick River Campsite has the best facilities on the route.
Next up on your NC500 7-day itinerary is a visit to Castle Sinclair, an absolute must-see. Situated just three miles north of Wick, the castle sits on the edge of a cliff over the North Sea, offering incredible views.
Once you get to John O’Groats, you know what you’ve got to do. You absolutely must get a selfie at the world-famous John O’Groats signpost!
A short drive away is the Duncansby Head Lighthouse and Sea Stacks. These majestic stacks tower a whopping 60 metres above the sea.
Nearby is Dunnet Head, the northernmost point of mainland Britain. Here, you can enjoy stunning views of the North Sea. The lighthouse and cliffs provide an impressive backdrop! Be careful when opening your car door, however, as the wind can be fierce here. Nearby Dunnet Bay is one of the most under-rated beaches on the route, with perfect white sand!
Continue through Thurso, then west to Melvich Beach. But don’t miss Strathy Beach – my personal favourite. The view from the hill will take your breath away. Finish the day with a walk along Farr Bay Beach in Bettyhill. Craigdhu Campsite makes a great overnight stop.
Day 4 of this NC500 7-day itinerary is when things start to get wild. Expect rugged landscapes and lots of photo opportunities!
Start at Loch Craggie Viewpoint, where you’ll feel completely cut off from the world. Detour into Tongue and, if you fancy it, hike up to Castle Varrich for sweeping views.
Drive the stunning single-track road around Loch Eriboll, then hit the north coast beaches. Rispond Bay is a lovely unspoilt beach surrounded by sand dunes, while Ceannabeinne Beach is nothing short of spectacular. A very popular stop-off along the NC500, it’s also home to the Golden Eagle Zipline (weather permitting). This is a great experience if you’re an adrenaline junkie!
The rugged and beautiful Smoo Cave is another must-see before you reach Durness. After that, check out Sango Sands Viewpoint and Durness Beach. If you’re camping, Sango Sands Campsite is a must. There are spectacular views here, and you can often spot dolphins from the cliffs.
If you’re a foodie, don’t miss out on a visit to the delightful Cheese ‘n’ Toasted. Their toasties are exquisite, but it’s best to check opening times. The nearby Balnakeil Craft Village is also worth a wander.
Start the day with a stroll along the picturesque Balnakeil Beach, perfect for walking the dog! As you continue your journey along the west coast, you’ll reach Kylesku Bridge, one of the NC500’s most iconic spots. Surrounded by mountains and lochs, this is a breathtaking viewpoint.
An unmissable attraction near here is the Wailing Widow Waterfall, one of the UK’s most spectacular cascades! It spills 50ft from the huge Loch na Gainmhich and is magnificent to behold, but take care on the rocky access path.
If you’re in a vehicle under 7 metres, drive the Drumbeg Loop towards Clashnessie. Stop off at Drumbeg Viewpoint, which has great views over the Assynt coast and islands. If you have enough time, there’s an awe-inspiring waterfall along the loop – the majestic Clashnessie Falls! Continue to Clachtoll Beach, a great overnight spot. Just three miles north of Lochinver you will find the gorgeous Achmelvich Beach, which has flawless white sand, turquoise water and magical sunsets.
Start the next leg of the journey by passing through Lochinver and grabbing a pie from Lochinver Larder if it is open! Continue past Loch Assynt and stop at the dramatic ruins of Ardvreck Castle. The castle overlooks the loch and makes for a photo opportunity with plenty of ‘wow’ factor!
Next, visit Knockan Crag Nature Reserve, then head to Ullapool for food, shops and a wander. I recommend The Bothy Coffee Shop and Oak & Grain Pizza.
Back on the road, stop at Falls of Measach – a dramatic gorge with a suspension bridge that’ll get your heart racing. Finish the day in Poolewe, with a visit to Inverewe Gardens if time allows. Campers should look at Inverewe Gardens Campsite.
This is the last day of the NC500 7-day itinerary, so make it count!
Pass through Gairloch, with an optional stop at Gairloch Museum, then on to Victoria Falls for a quick and easy waterfall stop.
Drive alongside Loch Maree, then turn at Kinlochewe towards Torridon – easily one of the most impressive roads on the NC500. Stop at the Wee Whistle Stop Café, or the Torridon Deer Museum.
For guaranteed Highland cow photos, stop at The Torridon Hotel – the iconic beasts usually hang out right by the car park.
After that, it is time for the stunning coastal drive to Applecross. Look out for stags, sea eagles and views across to Skye, Rona and Raasay. The Applecross Inn is great for food (book ahead), and Applecross Campsite is highly recommended.
Finally, tackle the legendary Bealach na Bà. Take it slow on this famous mountain pass! Relax, soak up the views, and enjoy one hell of an ending to your NC500 adventure.
From here, you can either head back to Inverness, continue to Skye, or start the journey home. No doubt you will have made some unforgettable memories on your NC500 road trip!
I hope you have enjoyed my NC500 7-day itinerary. If you are interested in learning more, check out my North Coast 500 guidebook! It is packed with itineraries, what3words locations, campsites and hotels, used by tens of thousands of travellers. It will be an invaluable companion on your NC500 road trip, so order your copy today!
I’m Rob – a UK best-selling travel author, founder of No Fuss Travel Guides, and passionate about making travel simple and inspiring.
My first book, North Coast 500 – The Road Trip of a Lifetime (2022), became an Amazon best-seller and led to collaborations with Visit Wales and features inThe Sunday Times and The Guardian’s “Best of Travel”.
I also speak regularly at industry events, sharing insights on road trips, independent travel, and authentic experiences.
I’m a keen traveller and proud collie dog lover.
I hope you find value in my blogs and videos — and if you’ve got a question, just ask.
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Rob – Staffordshire, UK
