Road · United Kingdom
Melrose Red Route
A hilly 24 km road cycling loop from Darnick, Scottish Borders through Tweedbank, Bridgend and Faldonside Stables, with 298 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 23.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 298 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 41 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Darnick
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 298 m
- 24 km
Route description
- Darnick
- Tweedbank
- Bridgend
- Faldonside Stables
- Lindean Smithy
- Lindean
- Braidwood
- Eastfield
- Faughhill
- Darnick
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 | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 7.6 km | 3 km · 173 m · 5.9 % · max 7.5 % | 279 m |
| Unnamed climb | 18.4 km | 2.3 km · 90 m · 4 % · max 5.5 % | 249 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (7.2 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 52% minor road · 30% main road · 13% cycle path · 2% track · 3% other roads and tracks
- 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
- Predominantly paved: 94% is mapped as paved, 5% as unpaved or gravel.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from km 5 to 23. Along the route: 6 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop, 1 water point, 2 petrol stations and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Melrose Cricket Club Cafe (470 m), Tempest Brewery Taproom (810 m), Greggs (850 m)
- Shops
- Budgens (860 m)
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