Ayr to Wigtown
- 90 km
- 948 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 948 m
- 90 km
Route overview
This ride suits experienced cyclists prepared for 948 m of climbing over 90 km.
Stage 6 of 7 of the EuroVelo 1: 90.2 km from Ayr to Wigtown with 948 m of climbing, on the signed route.
The ride starts from Ayr at 2 m height, quickly passing through Wallacetown, Fort, Seafield, Alloway, and Doonfoot before reaching the first serious climbs from 8.6 km onward. The first climb is 2.4 km long with an average gradient of 6.5% reaching 203 m at its top. A second smaller climb starts at 13 km with 2.5 km length and gentler gradients. The route then progresses through Maybole and Crosshill with another long climb from 25.8 km lasting 7.9 km, averaging 3.4% slope and reaching 311 m. The route surface is mostly paved (98%) and mainly on minor roads (82%). There are 4 km on main roads without a cycle lane, and a total of 6.1 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Cycle paths or lanes occur on 4.1 km and quieter roads like cycle paths, paths, and quiet streets combine for 11.2 km of the route. The long descent of 5.2 km begins near 44.9 km where the highest point at 391 m is reached. The route then passes through Glentrool Village, Minnigaff, Newton Stewart, and Lamachan View before finishing at Wigtown at 2 m height. Facilities are found at the start and finish, and several cafés and shops are available along the way, notably in Ayr, Maybole, Glentrool Visitor Centre, Minnigaff, and Wigtown. Despite this, a 33.6 km stretch from 25.8 to 59.4 km lacks cafés, shops or water. There are bike shops at Ayr and Newton Stewart, and public toilets are accessible at multiple points including Ayr, Maybole, Crosshill, Glentrool, Minnigaff, and Wigtown.
Highlights
- Climb to 203 m at 9 km with 11.8% max gradient
- Longest climb 7.9 km from 25.8 km
- Highest point 391 m at 43.3 km
- Glentrool Visitor Centre café at 59.4 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 8.6 km | 2.4 km | 152 m | 6.5 % | 11.8 % | 203 m |
| — | 13 km | 2.5 km | 72 m | 2.9 % | 4.7 % | 172 m |
| — | 25.8 km | 7.9 km | 269 m | 3.4 % | 6.3 % | 311 m |
| — | 39.1 km | 4.2 km | 234 m | 5.5 % | 9.6 % | 391 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 82% minor road · 5% main road · 4% cycle path · 4% path
- Main roads
- 4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 6.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 4.1 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Nic O the Balloch (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 25% descending · 52% flat
- Steep sections
- 6 km over 5% · 1.2 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10.1% at 9.8 km
- Longest descent
- 5.2 km from 44.9 km, dropping 163 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 34 km, from 26 km to 59 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmAldi · supermarket · 190 m off route
- 0 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 190 m off route
- 0 kmCarrick Cycles · bike shop · 280 m off route
- 2.3 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 2.3 kmSeafield Pharmacy · pharmacy · 140 m off route
- 20 kmSpar · supermarket · 150 m off route
- 20 kmJET · petrol station · 160 m off route
- 20.1 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 25.8 kmCrosshill Post Office · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 59.4 kmGlentrool Visitor Centre · café · 150 m off route
- 59.4 kmToilets · 150 m off route
- 75.1 kmCreebridge Mill · pharmacy · 100 m off route
- 75.2 kmStudio Velo · bike shop · 560 m off route
- 75.5 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 75.7 kmGulf · petrol station · 160 m off route
- 88.1 kmReadingLasses · café · 110 m off route
- 88.1 kmToilets · 200 m off route
- 88.1 kmPetrol station · 220 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Ayr (station), 820 m off route
- 19.9 km — Maybole (station), 60 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.3 km — Miller's Folly (c. 1853) (ruins)
- 5 km — Greenan Castle (castle)
- 20 km — Maybole Castle (castle)
- 74.1 km — Minnigaff Motte (archaeological site)
- 78.2 km — Ninian's Well (ruins)
- 87.9 km — War Memorial (monument)
At the start
- Pandora Coffee House · café · 90 m
- Smugglers · pub · 40 m
- Narture · café · 160 m
- The Rusty Nail · pub · 50 m
- Central Bar · bar · 20 m
At the finish
- ReadingLasses · café · 110 m
- Wigtown Pharmacy · pharmacy · 160 m
- The Galloway Inn · pub · 160 m
- The Co-operative Food · supermarket · 240 m
- The Wigtown Ploughman · pub · 220 m
Stay after this ride
- Glaisnock Guest House · guest house · 130 m from the finish
- Craigmount Guest House · guest house · 410 m from the finish
- Hillcrest House · hotel · 450 m from the finish
- Brora Lodge Bed & Breakfast · guest house · 520 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 6 h 27 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 33.6 km without café, shop or water between 25.8 and 59.4 km
- 4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 6.1 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more