Working clockwise, the route starts at Inverness and runs via Muir of Ord, Applecross (including the Bealach na Bà), Gairloch, Ullapool, Scourie, Durness, Castle of Mey, Thurso, John o' Groats, Wick, Dunrobin Castle, Dingwall then back to Muir of Ord and Inverness.

[8] The record for running the North Coast 500 is 5 days 23 hours 4 minutes and 17 seconds, set by Luke Ivory in July 2021.

[9] The first successful attempt at running the North Coast 500 was done by William Sichel, who completed the route in 8 days 19 hours 7 minutes and 7 seconds in April 2019.

[9] A survey commissioned by HIE suggested that the North Coast 500 led to 29,000 more people visiting the area in its first year, who collectively spent £9 million.

[13] During 2016 – the first full year of its operation – the number of deaths and serious accidents on the main roads forming the route increased by 45% compared with 2014.

[18] Another Scottish circular route has been opened in recent years, the South West Coastal 300 (SWC300), going around Dumfries & Galloway and southern Ayrshire.