National Cycle Route 76
The National Cycle Route 76 runs from Kirkcaldy to Wallyford over 2 stages: 168 km and 631 m of climbing in the UK. Every stage has a map, elevation profile, road facts and a GPX file.
Route at a glance
- Distance
- 168 km
- Climbing
- 631 m
- Stages
- 2
- Countries
- 1
- Average stage
- 84 km
- Longest stage
- 92.3 km
- Most climbing
- 343 m
- Riding time
- ~12 h
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Best months
- May to Sep
- GPX
- Every stage + whole tour
- Start
- Kirkcaldy
- Finish
- Wallyford
Full route map
Itinerary: 2 stages
Average 84 km and 316 m a stage. Longest day: stage 2 (92.3 km). Most climbing: stage 1 (343 m). Shortest: stage 1 (75.9 km).
| Stage | Route | Country | Distance | Climbing | Surface | Difficulty | Time | GPX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkcaldy to Stirling | UK | 75.9 km | 343 m | Mostly paved | Moderate | 5 h 25 min | GPX |
| 2 | Stirling to Wallyford | UK | 92.3 km | 288 m | Mixed surface | Moderate | 6 h 36 min | GPX |
How difficult is this tour?
168 km and 631 m of climbing over 2 stages: 84 km and 316 m a stage on average.
The longest day is stage 2, Stirling to Wallyford (92.3 km); the most climbing is on stage 1, Kirkcaldy to Stirling (343 m); the shortest is stage 1, Kirkcaldy to Stirling (75.9 km).
At 84 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 70–110 km.
Riders can go faster or slower than the documented itinerary: the same 168 km is 3 riding days at 60 km a day, 3 riding days at 80 km a day and 2 riding days at 100 km a day.
Surface and traffic
Mixed surface: 86% is mapped as paved and 12% as gravel or unpaved and 2% has no surface data.
51 km (30%) is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane; 8 km (5%) is on main roads without one, and 22 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more.
Signed routes this tour follows
- National Cycle Route 76 - stages 1, 2
Best time to ride
From ten years of weather at the stage towns, May to Sep are good for riding along the whole route.
Logistics
- Wallyford (station) is near the finish in Wallyford.
- 2 of 2 stage finishes have a hotel, guesthouse or campsite mapped within a short ride of the finish.
What it was actually like to ride
About this tour
National Cycle Route 76 covers 168 km in two stages, running from Kirkcaldy through Stirling to Wallyford. The route travels generally south and passes through numerous small towns and villages along the way.
The first stage from Kirkcaldy to Stirling is 75.9 km long with 343 m of elevation gain. This leg features one main climb starting at 1.9 km, 3.5 km in length, rising 97 m with an average gradient of 2.8%, reaching a height of 105 m. Numerous places are passed including Burntisland, Aberdour, Inverkeithing, Culross, Kincardine, Alloa, and Stirling at the end.
The second stage runs from Stirling to Wallyford, covering 92.3 km with 288 m of climbing. It includes a shorter climb from 32.6 km over 1.7 km rising 47 m at an average gradient of 2.7%, reaching 52 m high. This stage goes through locations such as Fallin, Grangemouth, Bo'ness, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, Musselburgh, and finishes at Wallyford.
The total ascent across both days is modest at 631 m. Both stages pass many places where water or food stops are available, with 36 on the first and 38 on the second. No specific seasonal temperatures or months are recorded for the route.
Photos from the road
Stage 1 · Kirkcaldy to Stirling 
Stage 2 · Stirling to Wallyford
Questions riders ask
How far is Kirkcaldy to Wallyford by bike?
168 km along this route, in 2 stages averaging 84 km.
How long does it take to cycle from Kirkcaldy to Wallyford?
Moving time is estimated at about 12 hours. At 60 km a day it is 3 days, 80 km a day it is 3 days and 100 km a day it is 2 days.
How much climbing is involved?
631 m in total. The most climbing in a day is 343 m on stage 1, Kirkcaldy to Stirling.
How difficult is the route?
At 84 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 70–110 km. The longest day is 92.3 km.
Is it suitable for a road bike?
86% of the route is mapped as paved and 12% as gravel or unpaved (2% has no surface data). Based on that: road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike.
Is there a GPX file?
Yes. Every stage has its own GPX download, and the whole tour is available as one GPX file with a track per stage.
What is the best time of year?
From ten years of weather at the stage towns, May to Sep are good for riding along the whole route.