2026 Highland Trail 550 (HT550)

Latest Updates

• 16 days ago
  3

  Scotland’s Hardest Bikepacking Race: 2026 Highland Trail 550 (Video)

  by Guest
• 21 days ago
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  Justinas Leveika’s Winning Highland Trail 550 Bike Check (Video)

  by Miles Arbour
• 28 days ago
  5

  Kerry MacPhee Is First Woman and Third Overall at 2026 Highland Trail 550

  by Guest
• 28 days ago
  2

  Justinas Leveika Wins 2026 Highland Trail 550

  by Guest
• 29 days ago
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  Tracking the 2026 Highland Trail 550: The Pointy End

  by Guest
• 29 days ago

  Day Three Update: The Race Continues

  by Miles Arbour

  Donnie and Richie, aka the Whiskey Trail Angels, have been greeting riders as they finish up the northern loop of the HT550. So far, 19 riders have completed the loop, completing over half of the 912km (567-mile) route.

  

  Justinas Leveika currently has a solid lead over the front-runners, with just under 180km left to go. Graham Cottingham is in second, 60km behind him, and Kerry MacPhee is currently the first-place woman and fourth overall. According to Donnie and Richie, Kerry had some sort of mechanical that sent her right over her bars, but clearly that didn’t slow her down.

  It’s currently 44°F (7°C) in Strathcarron, on the western side of the route, and although some light flurries are in the forecast, things are looking surprisingly dry…for Scotland.
• 30 days ago
  5

  Tracking the 2026 Highland Trail 550: Day Two

  by Guest
• 32 days ago

  And They're Off!

  by Whiskey Trail Angels (Donnie & Richie)

  The 2026 Highland Trail 550 rolled out this morning from Tyndrum in the Scottish Highlands under cold, crisp, but beautiful May conditions. A fresh chill hung in the air — just enough to keep the local midges at bay (Scottish mosquitoes, for those unfamiliar with Highland life).

  Part of the reason the race was moved forward this year, from its usual late-May slot, was to avoid that. By bringing the event into early May, organizers hoped to avoid the worst of the midge season while also enjoying quieter trails across the Highlands.

  The major talking point ahead of this year’s edition is the landmark 50-50 gender split on the start line. For the first time in the event’s history, the field is made up of 32 male riders and 32 female riders. It’s a significant milestone for the race, with much of the credit going to organizer Alan Goldsmith for his continued efforts to encourage equal participation.

  

  Conditions for the opening day could hardly be better: blue skies, light cloud, no wind, and the Highlands looking at their absolute best. The mountains appear inviting, and spirits among the riders are high, despite the usual nervous tension that always lingers around the start line before such a demanding adventure begins.

  Attention naturally turns to the riders expected to contend over the days ahead. In the men’s field, Justinas Leveika was regarded as one to watch, with his strength around the climbs and all-around riding ability making him a strong favorite. On the women’s side, local favorite Kerry MacPhee returns as a serious contender. A Highlander who knows the route intimately and is a veteran of the event, she could well be the rider to beat.

  With perfect riding conditions greeting the field this morning, anticipation is high for what promises to be another memorable edition of the Highland Trail.
• 32 days ago
  3

  Detours Podcast: Women of the 2026 Highland Trail 550

  by Miles Arbour
• 32 days ago

  The Evolution of the HT550

  by Miles Arbour

  Megan Joy Barclay shared an interesting story on Instagram with some stats provided by event organizer and route creator Alan Goldsmith on how the number of women participating in the Highland Trail 550 has evolved over the years. Here are the stats:

  2013: 27 men, 0 women
  2014: 36 men, 1 women (Iona Evans)
  2015: 42 men, 3 women
  2016: 40 men, 5 women + 1 mixed tandem
  2017: 47 men, 5 women
  2018: 40 men, 4 women + 1 mixed tandem
  2019: 55 men, 8 women
  2020: No event Covid
  2021: 46 men, 7 women
  2022: 50 men, 16 women
  2023: 32 men, 26 women
  2024: 32 men, 31 women
  2025: 36 men, 22 women
  2026: 32 men, 32 women
• 33 days ago

  What Josh Reid Is Eating during the HT550 (Video)

  by Miles Arbour

  Ultra-endurance cyclist and filmmaker Josh Reid is lining up for this year’s Highland Trail 550 race, and is running a minimal kit on his Giant Anthem SL SE full-suspension mountain bike. His latest video goes over exactly what he’ll be eating during his ride, and how he’ll avoid bonking. Watch it below.
• 33 days ago
  15

  Rigs of the 2026 Highland Trail 550 (HT550)

  by Miles Arbour