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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.

height
56mi
90km
trending_flat
4,133ft
1,260m
trending_flat
4,133ft
1,260m
Towns along route: Jedburgh

Abbey St Bathans

Cycling Route  -
Hard

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.

height
25.5mi
41km
trending_flat
2,132ft
650m
trending_flat
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.

height
5mi
7.5km
trending_flat
492ft
150m
trending_flat
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.

height
189.5mi
305km
trending_flat
16,548ft
5,045m
trending_flat
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.

height
80mi
128.5km
trending_flat
7,610ft
2,320m
trending_flat
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.

height
100.5mi
162km
trending_flat
6,527ft
1,990m
trending_flat
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.

height
79mi
127.5km
trending_flat
7,085ft
2,160m
trending_flat
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.

height
52.5mi
84.5km
trending_flat
3,936ft
1,200m
trending_flat
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.

height
7.5mi
12.5km
trending_flat
459ft
140m
trending_flat
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.

height
1mi
1.5km
trending_flat
131ft
40m
trending_flat
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.

height
3mi
5km
trending_flat
328ft
100m
trending_flat
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.

height
18.5mi
30km
trending_flat
1,148ft
350m
trending_flat
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.

height
18.5mi
30km
trending_flat
1,148ft
350m
trending_flat
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.

height
9.5mi
15km
trending_flat
623ft
190m
trending_flat
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).

height
8mi
13km
trending_flat
656ft
200m
trending_flat
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.

height
20mi
32km
trending_flat
1,214ft
370m
trending_flat
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.

height
19mi
30.5km
trending_flat
1,870ft
570m
trending_flat
1,870ft
570m
Towns along route: Hawick

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.

height
94.5mi
151.5km
trending_flat
6,068ft
1,850m
trending_flat
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.

height
16mi
25.5km
trending_flat
1,804ft
550m
trending_flat
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.

height
15mi
24km
trending_flat
1,410ft
430m
trending_flat
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.

height
26mi
42km
trending_flat
2,034ft
620m
trending_flat
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.

height
6mi
9.5km
trending_flat
754ft
230m
trending_flat
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.

height
27mi
43km
trending_flat
1,902ft
580m
trending_flat
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.

height
20mi
32km
trending_flat
1,410ft
430m
trending_flat
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.

height
46.5mi
75km
trending_flat
2,919ft
890m
trending_flat
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.

height
10mi
16km
trending_flat
525ft
160m
trending_flat
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.

height
8.5mi
13.5km
trending_flat
886ft
270m
trending_flat
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.

height
20.5mi
33km
trending_flat
1,870ft
570m
trending_flat
1,870ft
570m

Ettrickfoot & Yair

Cycling Route  -
Easy

This route heads north from Selkirk by following the Ettrick Water downstream towards Lindean. You then cross both the Ettrick Water and the River Tweed at Ettrickfoot.

height
9mi
14.5km
trending_flat
558ft
170m
trending_flat
558ft
170m
Towns along route: Galashiels