Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Melrose Red Route
- 24 km
- 298 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 298 m
- 24 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders comfortable with moderate climbs over 298 m on a mixed road surface loop of 23.5 km.
23.5 km loop around Darnick in the Scottish Borders with 298 m climbing.
The Melrose Red Route starts near Darnick and quickly passes through Tweedbank and Bridgend. It runs mainly on minor roads (52%) and some main roads (30%) with almost all surfaces paved. The first significant climb begins around 7.6 km, ascending 173 m over 3 km with an average gradient of 5.9%, peaking at 279 m near Lindean Smithy. After the climb, the route descends and passes places including Braidwood and Midlem. The second climb starts near 18.4 km, climbing 90 m over 2.3 km at an average 4%, reaching 249 m near Bowden. From there, the route descends steadily for 2.5 km down to 95 m at the finish in Melrose. The route includes 3 km on cycle paths and minor sections on tracks or paths. Facilities are limited along the route beyond km 5.3, with the longest stretch of 18.1 km without a café, shop or water tap. Initial support is available near the start and finish in Melrose including cafés, a convenience store, a bar, fast food, and hospital facilities.
Highlights
- Climb to 279 m near Lindean Smithy
- Longest descent of 2.5 km dropping 182 m
- Route passes Tweedbank and Midlem
- Near Quarry Hill at 22.8 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 7.6 km | 3 km | 173 m | 5.9 % | 7.5 % | 279 m |
| — | 18.4 km | 2.3 km | 90 m | 4 % | 5.5 % | 249 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 52% minor road · 30% main road · 13% cycle path · 2% track
- Main roads
- 7.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 25% climbing · 26% descending · 49% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.9 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 8% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 2.5 km from 21 km, dropping 182 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 18 km, from 5 km to 23 km.
Food, water and shops
- 1.2 kmBudgens · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 1.2 kmBP MFG Tweedbank Service Station · petrol station · 170 m off route
- 1.6 kmCoffee End · café · on the route
- 1.6 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 2.8 kmBorders Pharmacy · pharmacy · 250 m off route
- 5.3 kmWater tap · on the route
- 23.2 kmMargaret Kerr Unit · clinic · 300 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 1.7 km — Tweedbank (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 3.8 km — Home of Sir Walter Scott (attraction)
At the start and finish
- Melrose Cricket Club Cafe · café · 470 m
- Tempest Brewery Taproom · bar · 810 m
- Greggs · fast food · 850 m
- Budgens · convenience store · 860 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 1 h 41 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water for 18.1 km from 5.3 km
- 7.2 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 6 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 300 m gravel/unpaved in total