The Great North Trail (Scottish Borders) runs for 139 km in two stages, starting at Newcastleton and finishing in Edinburgh. Total climbing over the route is 2458 m. This trail heads generally east and southeast through the Scottish Borders region.
Stage 1 covers 85 km from Newcastleton to Peebles and includes 1482 m of climbing. This stage features a range of climbs including one near the start of 1.1 km at 5.3% average gradient and two long climbs between km 57.4 and 73.9 with gradients of 6.3% and up to 7.4%, including maximum slopes reaching 16.2%. The highest point on this stage is 520 m.
Stage 2 goes from Peebles to Edinburgh over 54 km with 976 m of climbing. Several climbs punctuate this stage, the longest being 2.8 km with a 3.3% average gradient and the steepest max gradient of 13.3% found early on. The highest elevation is 422 m. Both stages have numerous places to find food or water, with 19 stops on stage 1 and 20 on stage 2.
No temperature data or specific months of riding are given. The route passes through many settlements including Hawick, Ashkirk, Traquair, Romanno Bridge, West Linton, and others. It remains fully within Great Britain and crosses no borders. The trail is suitable for riding wherever water or food supplies are needed, given the frequent stops.
