Cycling tours in the South Of Scotland

4 Abbeys

Cycling Route -

Hard

The 4 Abbeys is a circular route linking the four main abbeys in the Scottish Borders at Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh.

56mi

90km

4,133ft

1,260m

4,133ft

1,260m

Towns along route: Jedburgh

This is a big loop to the north of Duns. After passing Edrom the Whiteadder Water is crossed at Todheugh. The road rises gradually to Lintlaw then descends to Lintlaw Burn before a long climb towards Blackhouse.

25.5mi

41km

2,132ft

650m

2,132ft

650m

Towns along route: Duns

Abbotsford

Cycling Route -

Easy

This short route has a short climb out of Melrose before dropping steeply through woods to Abbotsford, former home of Sir Walter Scott.

5mi

7.5km

492ft

150m

426ft

130m

Towns along route: Melrose

Borderloop

Cycling Route -

Challenge

The long and turbulent history of the Scottish Borders has bequeathed a legacy of romantic castles, historic abbeys and great country houses that lie like jewels flung from a generous hand among a landscape celebrated in song and legend.

189.5mi

305km

16,548ft

5,045m

16,548ft

5,045m

Towns along route: Melrose, Duns, St Abbs, Eyemouth, Coldstream, Kelso, Hawick, Broughton, Innerleithen

Borderloop4 – Hawick

Cycling Route -

Challenge

Head west from Hawick on the B711 through Roberton and on past Alemoor Reservoir and on to Tushielaw on the B709 and then north towards the Gordon Arms.

80mi

128.5km

7,610ft

2,320m

7,610ft

2,320m

Towns along route: Hawick

Borderloop4 – Kelso

Cycling Route -

Challenge

Leave Kelso by the A6089 and then take the B6397 and then head left towards Makerstoun before making way on to the B6404.

100.5mi

162km

6,527ft

1,990m

6,527ft

1,990m

Towns along route: Coldstream, Duns, Eyemouth, Kelso

Borderloop4 – Melrose

Cycling Route -

Challenge

Leave Melrose and head towards Dryburgh Abbey take the B6356 past Clint Mains and on to the B6404 and then on to the B6397.

79mi

127.5km

7,085ft

2,160m

7,085ft

2,160m

Towns along route: Melrose, Kelso, Hawick

Borderloop4 – Peebles

Cycling Route -

Hard

Please note. This route is only signposted clockwise. Take the B7062 following the River Tweed towards Innerleithen and then on past Traquair House before heading south on the B709 towards the Gordon Arms.

52.5mi

84.5km

3,936ft

1,200m

3,936ft

1,200m

Towns along route: Cardrona, Innerleithen, Tweedsmuir

Borders Railway link – Clovenfords to Melrose

Cycling Route -

Easy

This route is a useful link from the Borders Railway and connects with other routes beyond Clovenfords and Melrose.

7.5mi

12.5km

459ft

140m

656ft

200m

Towns along route: Clovenfords, Tweedbank, Melrose

Borders Railway link – Tweedbank to Abbotsford

Cycling Route -

Easy

A short route linking Tweedbank station with Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott.

1mi

1.5km

131ft

40m

66ft

20m

Towns along route: Tweedbank

Bowhill

Cycling Route -

Easy

This short loop travels to the east of Selkirk with a gradual climb out of the town before descending into the Ettrick Valley.

3mi

5km

328ft

100m

328ft

100m

Bowmont Forest & Roxburgh

Cycling Route -

Moderate

A route taking you south of Kelso passing Bowmont Forest before turning west where you can stop at Teviot Water Garden & Smokery.

18.5mi

30km

1,148ft

350m

1,148ft

350m

Towns along route: Kelso

Bowmont Water Valley

Cycling Route -

Moderate

This route heads west out of Town Yetholm towards Morebattle but turning off onto a no through road signposted for Belford on Bowmont, Sourhope and Cocklawfoot.

18.5mi

30km

1,148ft

350m

1,148ft

350m

Towns along route: Kelso

Burnmouth

Cycling Route -

Easy

A short route travelling east from Eyemouth, before heading south towards Ayton Castle. After the castle there are a few climbs which offer views over Burnmouth and the North Sea before descending to Burnmouth.

9.5mi

15km

623ft

190m

689ft

210m

Towns along route: Eyemouth

Cademuir Circuit

Cycling Route -

Easy

This short circuit takes you south of Peebles and round Cademuir Hill. On entering open countryside the road climbs steadily with a steep section past Edderston Manor but you can rest just beyond the summit and enjoy the view over Peebles and Dunslair Heights (602m).

8mi

13km

656ft

200m

656ft

200m

Castle Douglas to Kirkcudbright Loop

Cycling Route -

Moderate

A classic ride with towns at either end. If you start in Kirkcudbright follow National Cycle Route 7, passing the historic Kirkcudbright cemetery.

20mi

32km

1,214ft

370m

1,214ft

370m

Towns along route: Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas

Cavers & Stobs

Cycling Route -

Hard

This large loop from Hawick initially heads south from the town before turning east. The route climbs steeply before making a long descent past Ormiston and Cauldmill.

19mi

30.5km

1,870ft

570m

1,870ft

570m

Towns along route: Hawick

Clatteringshaws to Glentrool Loop

Cycling Route -

Challenge

This is a classic route and shows off one of the best Gravel potentials in the South of Scotland and is world class, with a cafe at either end: Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre and Glentrool Visitor Centre (or House o Hill in Glentrool village).

39.5mi

63.5km

4,133ft

1,260m

4,133ft

1,260m

Towns along route: Glentrool

Coast and Castles

Cycling Route -

Challenge

Wonderful views, historic sites and friendly communities make this a truly memorable journey. The vast majority of this route is on quiet roads and is usually tackled in a northerly direction, although can be done either way.

94.5mi

151.5km

6,068ft

1,850m

5,904ft

1,800m

Towns along route: Berwick Upon Tweed, Coldstream, Kelso, St Boswells, Melrose, Innerleithen

Coldingham & St Abbs

Cycling Route -

Moderate

Leaving Eyemouth in an easterly direction before heading north towards Coldingham. Continue through the village and climb away from Coldingham and offers views up and down the coast. Carry on towards St. Abbs Head with a couple of steep climbs along the way.

16mi

25.5km

1,804ft

550m

1,738ft

530m

Towns along route: Eyemouth, St Abbs

Cycle paths for all ages

Cycling Route

This collection has cycle routes on paths or through parks or forests for an enjoyable afternoon with all the family.

Denholm

Cycling Route -

Moderate

This route heads east from Hawick with a couple of undulating miles as you leave the town. The route then follows the north bank of the River Teviot for some distance before making a steepish but fairly short climb away from the river.

15mi

24km

1,410ft

430m

1,410ft

430m

Towns along route: Hawick

Denholm & Lilliesleaf

Cycling Route -

Hard

This route takes you in a loop to the east of Jedburgh. The road climbs steeply out of the town to the summit on the north side of Dunion Hill.

26mi

42km

2,034ft

620m

2,034ft

620m

Towns along route: Lilliesleaf

Dere Street Dash

Cycling Route -

Hard

A family route that takes you in part of Dere Street before heading back to Jedburgh. Please allow at least 50 minutes to complete it, excluding the time taken to enjoy the destinations along the way.

6mi

9.5km

754ft

230m

754ft

230m

Dreva and Dawyck

Cycling Route -

Hard

This route heads west from Peebles, climbing up to The Glack before opening out and the Tweed Valley comes into view.

27mi

43km

1,902ft

580m

1,902ft

580m

Towns along route: Stobo

Dumfries to Ae

Cycling Route -

Easy

The route goes out on the old railway line and at Locharbriggs to take a very quiet country lane all the way to Ae Forest and the Mountain Biking, 7 Stanes Hub with a great café.

20mi

32km

1,410ft

430m

1,410ft

430m

Towns along route: Dumfries

Dumfries to Moniaive Loop

Cycling Route -

Hard

Stunning in any season, with views back to the high hills. Crowned “most cultural town in Scotland” in 2019 - Moniave is worth spending time in.

46.5mi

75km

2,919ft

890m

2,919ft

890m

Towns along route: Dumfries

Edrom

Cycling Route -

Easy

Visit a true Romanesque relic at Edrom Church, dating back to the 1100s. This low level route with little climbing explores the countryside east of Duns on quiet roads, with a possible detour to visit Manderston House.

10mi

16km

525ft

160m

525ft

160m

Towns along route: Duns

Eildons

Cycling Route -

Easy

A route which takes you in a loop passing the Rhymer’s Stone which offers pleasant views of the Tweed Valley.

8.5mi

13.5km

886ft

270m

886ft

270m

Towns along route: Melrose

Ettrickbridge & Yarrow

Cycling Route -

Hard

Head west from Selkirk past Bowhill Country Estate. Head across the Yarrow Water and then the Ettrick Water at Carterhaugh before heading towards Ettrickbridge.

20.5mi

33km

1,870ft

570m

1,870ft

570m

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