Popular Destinations
North Coast 500
What is the NC500?
The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to Route 66. A fantastic 500 mile road trip through the stunning scenery of Scotland’s North West Highlands and along the dramatic Caithness coastline.
Starting at Inverness Youth Hostel, the clockwise circular route heads west, snaking its way along the rugged coastline, following the northern edge of the Scottish mainland before turning south at John O’Groats and heading down the A9 to complete the loop back to Inverness.
The route usually takes five to seven days to complete, but you may choose to stretch this out and spend more time taking in the magnificent scenery.
Travel by car, bike or motorcycle and stay at our youth hostels en-route.
Watch our NC500 videos below!
NC 500 Hostels
Inverness Youth Hostel
Inverness, Scottish HighlandsLocated in a quiet neighbourhood a short walk from the city centre, Inverness Youth Hostel offers guests four star VisitScotland accredited hostel acc...
Applecross, Hartfield House
Applecross, Scottish HighlandsHartfield House is a Visit Scotland 4 Star hostel, set back from main North Coast 500 road, nestled amongst the mountainous landscape, shady trees, an...
Torridon Youth Hostel
Torridon, Scottish HighlandsWinner of the Gold Award in the The Great Outdoors Magazine Awards 2021 for accommodation (Silver Award Winner 2020), Torridon Youth Hostel sits on th...
Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel
Gairloch Sands, Scottish HighlandsA lochside lodge, sitting on the northern shore of Loch Gairloch, with magnificent sea and mountain views and easy access to fantastic sandy beaches....
Ullapool Youth Hostel
Ullapool, Scottish HighlandsFrom its spectacular seafront location on the NC500, Ullapool Youth Hostel offers wonderful, ever-changing views over Loch Broom and the Beinn Dearg m...
Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel
Achmelvich Beach, Scottish HighlandsWinning silver in the The Great Outdoors Magazine awards for accommodation - Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel sits on the NC500, beside a beautiful, shel...
Durness Smoo Youth Hostel
Durness Smoo, Scottish HighlandsSitting on the famous NC500, surrounded by a wild and spectacular landscape, Durness Smoo offers a true hostelling experience in simple, relaxed and w...
Tongue
Tongue, Scottish HighlandsTongue Hostel is a magnificently situated stone lodge on the shores of the Kyle of Tongue. Once a former hunting and fishing lodge dating back to 1891...
Helmsdale Lodge Hostel
Helmsdale, Scottish HighlandsHelmsdale Lodge Hostel is located in the scenic coastal village of Helmsdale in north east Sutherland. Sitting in a prominent position at the north en...