Road · United Kingdom
Caledonian Cycleway
A hilly 38 km mixed-surface cycling route from Dumfries through Summerpark, Marchfield and Heathhall, with 481 m of climbing. There is a 35 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 3–38). Mixed surface: 49% is mapped as paved and 50% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 38.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 481 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 44 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 35 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Dumfries
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 481 m
- 38 km
Route description
- Dumfries
- Summerpark
- Marchfield
- Heathhall
- Locharbriggs
- Kirkton
- Ae
- Easter Earshaig
The Caledonian Cycleway begins at Dumfries town centre, passing through Sandside, Nunholm, Summerpark, and Marchfield in the first 1.5 km. From Dumfries to Locharbriggs (4.3 km) and on to Kirkton (6.3 km), the route uses a mix of minor roads, cycle paths, and tracks, including 13 km on roads with a posted limit of 80 km/h or more. Shops, food, and bail-out points are only available near the start; after 3.4 km there are no cafés, shops or water for almost 35 km.
Climbing begins after Kirkton with a 3.6 km ascent gaining 83 m at an average 2.3%, reaching 110 m altitude. The main climb starts at Ae (14.6 km) as a steady 6.6 km at 3.4% average gradient with a maximum of 6.8% to 347 m. Another climb between 25.3 km and 27.8 km gains 68 m over 2.5 km at 2.7%. The route reaches a high point of 372 m near 22.7 km while passing peaks such as Rorie Hill, Relic Hill, Brownmoor Hill, and Holehouse Hill.
The surface is about half paved and half gravel or unpaved, with 19 km as track, 14.6 km minor road, and 4.1 km cycle path. The longest named roads used are the C4n for 9.6 km and Crooked Road for 4.4 km. The descent is longest from about 28.8 km for 3.2 km dropping 107 m. Bike shops are located at the start in Dumfries and near Ae. No facilities exist along most of the route after the initial few kilometres.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 372 m, 22.7 km in.
Highlights
- Climb starting at Ae with 221 m gain
- Passing near Rorie Hill peak at 10.8 km
- Highest point near 22.7 km at 372 m altitude
- Longest descent 3.2 km from 28.8 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 6.9 km | 3.6 km · 83 m · 2.3 % · max 3.6 % | 110 m |
| Unnamed climb | 14.6 km | 6.6 km · 221 m · 3.4 % · max 6.8 % | 347 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.3 km | 2.5 km · 68 m · 2.7 % · max 5 % | 357 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 50% track · 38% minor road · 11% cycle path · 1% other roads and tracks
- Fast roads
- 7.6 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
- C4n (10 km), Crooked Road (4 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 49% is mapped as paved and 50% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 34% climbing · 21% descending · 45% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.2 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.5% at 14.9 km
- Longest descent
- 3.2 km from 28.8 km, dropping 107 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 35 km, from km 3 to 38. Along the route: 8 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop, 1 petrol station and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmG&G Cycles · bike shop · 490 m off route
- 2.8 kmTesco Express · convenience store · 240 m off route
- 2.8 kmEsso · petrol station · 260 m off route
- 3.3 kmLochthorn Medical Centre · clinic · 260 m off route
- 3.4 kmThe Lochar Inn · pub · 210 m off route
- 14.5 kmAe Bikes · bike shop · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0.1 km — Dumfries (station), 60 m off route
Worth a stop
- 10.8 km — Rorie Hill (peak)
- 20.6 km — Clachanbirnie Rig (peak)
Stay after this ride
- Green Frog · campsite · 2.3 km from the finish
- Auchen Castle · hotel · 2.3 km from the finish
- Moffat Camping & Caravanning Club site · campsite · 2.4 km from the finish
- Black Bull Inn & Hotel · hotel · 2.5 km from the finish
- Buccleuch Arms Hotel · hotel · 2.6 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Dumfries (90 m)
- Bikes and repair
- G&G Cycles (490 m)
- Food and coffee
- The Last Post (330 m), Déjà vu (340 m), Dante's Fish and Chips (350 m)
Know before you go
- 34.7 km with no café, shop or water after 3.4 km
- 7.6 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 50% gravel or unpaved surface
- 13 km on main roads without a cycle lane