Road · United Kingdom
Stage 3 of 7 · EuroVelo 12 from Edinburgh← Stage 2Stage 4 →
Arbroath to Stonehaven
A rolling 70 km road cycling route from Arbroath, Angus to Stonehaven through Cliffburn, Seafield and Redcastle, with 452 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 70.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 452 m
- Riding time
- 5 h
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Arbroath → Stonehaven
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 452 m
- 70 km
Route description
- Arbroath
- Cliffburn
- Seafield
- Redcastle
- Braehead of Lunan
- Inchbrayock
- Warburton
- Bush
- Kinneff
- Stonehaven
Starting in Arbroath, the route heads out past local places like Cliffburn and Warddykes within the first 3 km. Early climbing begins around 2.5 km with a 1.5 km ascent gaining 46 m at a 3.1% average gradient. The path continues through coastal and rural areas including Lunan Bay at 13.7 km and Montrose at 23.6 km. There is a stretch of 11.6 km without cafes, shops or water from about 2.6 km to 14.2 km.
The route crosses 70 km with 452 m of elevation gain, featuring several climbs such as a 2 km section at 3.7% average starting around 14 km and a 2.1 km climb at 4% average beginning at 32.8 km. Road surfaces include 89% paved and 10% gravel or unpaved, with 58% of the route on minor roads, 13% on main roads, and 10% on cycle paths. About 8.7 km are main roads without cycle lanes, and 10.6 km have posted speeds of 80 km/h or more.
Key locations for food and drink include Wild Rose Bakery near the start at 1.8 km, Lunan Bay Café at 14.2 km, and several cafés in towns such as Montrose and Stonehaven. Bike shops are available near the start in Arbroath and at the finish in Stonehaven. Bailout points with railway stations are located at Arbroath, Montrose, and Stonehaven.
Highlights
- Climb near km 33 averaging 4% gradient
- Lunan Bay at 13.7 km
- Montrose town at 23.6 km
- Finish at Stonehaven with local cafés
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 2.5 km | 1.5 km · 46 m · 3.1 % · max 3.9 % | 72 m |
| Unnamed climb | 14 km | 2 km · 74 m · 3.7 % · max 6.2 % | 80 m |
| Unnamed climb | 32.8 km | 2.1 km · 84 m · 4 % · max 9.2 % | 87 m |
| Unnamed climb | 49.5 km | 3.2 km · 95 m · 3 % · max 4.5 % | 101 m |
| Unnamed climb | 58.3 km | 1.5 km · 40 m · 2.7 % · max 3.7 % | 72 m |
| Unnamed climb | 60 km | 1.7 km · 47 m · 2.8 % · max 4.7 % | 116 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 8.7 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 58% minor road · 13% main road · 10% cycle path · 9% quiet street · 10% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 8.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 10.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 7.4 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- A92 (8 km), C23K (6 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 89% is mapped as paved, 10% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 16% climbing · 18% descending · 66% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.6 km over 5% · 0.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.5% at 34.2 km
- Longest descent
- 2.4 km from 17.7 km, dropping 48 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 91 cafés and restaurants, 24 shops, 2 water points, 3 petrol stations, 11 public toilets and 3 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmBalkan · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 0 kmMarket Place Superloo · toilets · 220 m off route
- 0 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 240 m off route
- 14.2 kmLunan Bay Cafe · café · 270 m off route
- 21.6 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 23.3 kmCoolinary Café · café · 100 m off route
- 23.6 kmSteeple Pharmacy · pharmacy · 450 m off route
- 33.1 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 36.2 kmOld Bakery Coffee Shop · café · 280 m off route
- 42.7 kmHidden Treasure Tearoom · café · on the route
- 42.7 kmToilets · on the route
- 50 kmScotmid · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 50.1 kmCharles Michies · pharmacy · 70 m off route
- 50.2 kmPhoenix Bakehouse · café · 40 m off route
- 65.9 kmSpring · 120 m off route
- 68.5 kmBP · petrol station · 90 m off route
- 68.6 kmShamrock & Thistle · café · on the route
- 68.7 kmBike Remedy · bike shop · 150 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Arbroath (station), 580 m off route
- 23.5 km — Montrose (station), 660 m off route
- 68.2 km — Stonehaven (station), 970 m off route
Worth a stop
- 15.4 km — Blair Monument (monument)
- 18.5 km — Chapel of St Skae (ruins)
- 49.5 km — Hallgreen Castle (castle)
Stay after this ride
- Number 44 · hotel · 40 m from the finish
- Glencairn B&B · guest house · 270 m from the finish
- Rooms at 31 · guest house · 150 m from the finish
- Belvedere Hotel · hotel · 270 m from the finish
- The Marine Hotel · hotel · 490 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Azzurro (30 m), The Old Brewhouse (90 m), Commercial Inn (90 m)
- Shops
- Balkan (70 m), Shop Africana (80 m), Harbour Stores (10 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- J G Ross Craft Baker (90 m), Goodfellow & Steven Bakery (90 m), Shamrock & Thistle (190 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (80 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 11.6 km from 2.6 to 14.2 km
- 8.7 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 10.6 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits
- Gravel or unpaved sections over 10% of route
