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Kirkpatrick C2C

Cycling Route

Kirkpatrick C2C

Cycling

This coast to coast route travels through a border land. This is a land of royalty and raiders with defensive strongholds, magnificent abbeys and great houses; power struggles were frequent and bloody.

It is also a land of stories. Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott both called it their home and the area inspired Peter Pan. You can enjoy beautiful beaches, wildlife spectacles and a trail of smugglers. Inland, the rivers carve their way through the landscape. These rivers not only provided the power for the mills making wonderful textiles but also a home for world class salmon fishing.

But this is also the birthplace of the bicycle, where a humble blacksmith crafted the very first pedal-driven velocipede. Landscapes full of inspiration meet modern-day adventurers on the Kirkpatrick C2C. 250 miles await keen cyclists: Tackle the route at your own pace, exploring the local sights and tales or challenge yourself to long and intense days in the saddle.

The route is ideally broken down into 4 or 8 stages, depending on your preference. Those wanting to explore more of Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders, also have the option to extend the route with 3 spurs at Portpatrick, Galashiels and Duns.

Downloads:
kirkpatrick_c2c_full_route.gpx
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Distance:
250mi / 402.5km
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Total climb:
18,171ft / 5,540m
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Total descent:
18,335ft / 5,590m
Towns along route:
Stranraer, Glenluce, Wigtown, Newton Stewart, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbright, Castle Douglas, Dumfries, Lockerbie, Langholm, Newcastleton, Hawick, Selkirk, Melrose, Kelso, Coldstream, Paxton, Eyemouth
Difficulty:
Challenge
Our best efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of data, however the data and geographic information contained along route lines and on maps should be used for informational purposes only.

What you'll see

Image of Kirkpatrick MacMillan Bike

Kirkpatrick MacMillan Bike - Stranraer

Road Cycling

The sculpture of Kirkpatrick MacMillan's Velocipede marks the start point of the Kirkpatrick C2C, South of Scotland's 250-mile coast to coast cycle route.

Image of Stranraer

Stranraer

Towns & Villages

Stranraer lies on the southern shore of Loch Ryan. The largest town in Galloway, it’s becoming known as a hub for events, walking & cycling,…

Image of Glenluce

Glenluce

Towns & Villages

The rural village of Glenluce is situated 15 miles west of Newton Stewart, by the Water of Luce.

Image of Wigtown

Wigtown

Towns & Villages

Wigtown is Scotland’s National Book Town, where the books outnumber people 250-1. It sits seven miles south of Newton Stewart, on the Machars penninsula.

Image of Newton Stewart

Newton Stewart

Towns & Villages

Newton Stewart is a small market town on the banks of the River Cree, surrounded by the Galloway Hills.

Image of Gatehouse of Fleet

Gatehouse of Fleet

Towns & Villages

Gatehouse of Fleet is a scenic town which has existed since the mid-18th century.

Image of Kirkcudbright

Kirkcudbright

Towns & Villages

Kirkcudbright is thought to have begun in the 12th century as a naval base for the Lords of Galloway. It was the county town for…

Image of Castle Douglas

Castle Douglas

Towns & Villages

Castle Douglas is an 18th century market town and is the perfect destination for food lovers, nature lovers and history lovers alike.

Image of Dumfries

Dumfries

Towns & Villages

The town of Dumfries is set along the banks of the River Nith and is the largest town in South West Scotland.

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Lockerbie

Towns & Villages

Lockerbie is a small market town north of the Scottish Border.

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Langholm

Towns & Villages

Visitors’ first taste of Scotland along the A7, Langholm doesn’t disappoint. Circled by hills, the “Muckle Toon” boasts historic gems and many outdoor pursuits.

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Newcastleton

Towns & Villages

Newcastleton built in 1793 by the Duke of Buccleuch to capitalise on the growing textile markets, it has conservation status.

Image of Hawick

Hawick

Towns & Villages

Hawick is the largest of the Border towns with a long history stretching back to the 1100’s.

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Selkirk

Towns & Villages

Selkirk is one of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland and also one of the earliest settlements in what is now the Scottish Borders.

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Melrose

Towns & Villages

The picturesque town of Melrose is located next to the River Tweed at the foot of the triple peaks of the Eildon Hills.

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Kelso

Towns & Villages

The large town of Kelso lies near to the meeting point of the River Tweed and the River Teviot.

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Coldstream

Towns & Villages

The town of Coldsstream lies on the north bank of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders.

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Paxton

Towns & Villages

The small country village of Paxton lies next to the Rivertweed and is a well known spot for salmon fishing.

Image of Eyemouth

Eyemouth

Towns & Villages

The historic town lies on the East Coast only 5 miles north of the border with England with a population of about 5000.