Mixed · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 5 · National Byway (SW Scotland)← Stage 1Stage 3 →
Dumfries to Moniaive
A hilly 66 km road cycling route from Dumfries to Moniaive through Nunholm, Lincluden and Lochside, with 601 m of climbing. There is a 34 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 31–65).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 66.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 601 m
- Riding time
- 4 h 43 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 34 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Dumfries → Moniaive
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 601 m
- 66 km
Route description
- Dumfries
- Nunholm
- Lincluden
- Lochside
- Nunwood
- Brockhillstone
- Glenmidge
- Penpont
- Thornhill
- Moniaive
The route starts in the Dumfries town centre near Troqueer and Maxwelltown, then heads through various suburbs such as Janefield and Laurieknowe before reaching Nunholm and Lincluden within the first 3 km. It continues mainly on minor roads, covering 57.3 km or 88% of the ride, with some sections on main roads for 3.3 km without cycle lanes, plus short stretches on quiet streets, cycle paths, tracks, and paths.
Climbing is moderate, with five main climbs spaced along the route. Early climbing begins just before Dunscore around 14 km, with an ascent of 62 m over 2.3 km at an average gradient of 2.7%. More substantial climbs come later: up to 112 m gain over 2.6 km starting near Thornhill, and the highest point at 231 m is reached around 63 km after ascending 114 m at 5.6%, with the steepest section maxing at 10%.
The longest flat stretches account for 63% of the route, while climbing and descending make up 21% and 16% respectively. The path includes a gravel/unpaved share of 2%. There is a long 34 km stretch without café, shop, or water between about km 31 and 65. Cafés and shops are available at the start in Dumfries and at the finish in Moniaive, which also offers accommodation and pubs. Bicycle shops and repair stands are found near the start and around km 31 and 37.
Highlights
- Climb near Thornhill, 112 m gain over 2.6 km
- Final climb to Moniaive, 114 m gain at 5.6% avg
- Passes near Kirkbride Hill (192 m) and Court Hill (189 m)
- Longest café/shop gap is 33.9 km between km 31 and 65
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 14.3 km | 2.3 km · 62 m · 2.7 % · max 5 % | 122 m |
| Unnamed climb | 37.8 km | 2.6 km · 112 m · 4.3 % · max 7.6 % | 179 m |
| Unnamed climb | 45.9 km | 1.7 km · 58 m · 3.4 % · max 5.8 % | 208 m |
| Unnamed climb | 58 km | 2.3 km · 60 m · 2.6 % · max 4.1 % | 129 m |
| Unnamed climb | 61.4 km | 2 km · 114 m · 5.6 % · max 10 % | 231 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 3.3 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 88% minor road · 5% main road · 3% quiet street · 2% cycle path · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 11.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 1 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- C125n (11 km), C112n (10 km), C127n (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 16% descending · 63% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.3 km over 5% · 0.6 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.5% at 63.2 km
- Longest descent
- 2.8 km from 49.5 km, dropping 83 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 34 km, from km 31 to 65. Along the route: 65 cafés and restaurants, 9 shops, 2 petrol stations, 4 public toilets and 3 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmG&G Cycles · bike shop · 240 m off route
- 0.1 kmPumpernickel · café · 160 m off route
- 0.2 kmWhitesands Toilets · toilets · on the route
- 0.5 kmScotfresh · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 1.1 kmTesco · petrol station · 240 m off route
- 2.5 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 17.4 kmFlying Pig · bar · on the route
- 31.1 kmThree Villages Cafe · café · on the route
- 31.1 kmConvenience store · 110 m off route
- 31.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 31.1 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 37.1 kmRik's Bike Shed · bike shop · 550 m off route
- 65 kmGlenwhisk · café · on the route
- 65.1 kmWatsons Grocers · supermarket · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0.6 km — Dumfries (station), 800 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Rotunda (monument)
- 8.8 km — Hall Hill Mote, Hillfort (archaeological site)
- 21.4 km — Benan Hill (peak)
- 33.3 km — Nith Bridge Cross (monument)
- 37 km — Drumlanrig, Roman fort and annexe (archaeological site)
- 46.4 km — Ballaggan Motte (archaeological site)
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- The Frothy Bike Co. (130 m), Coach and Horses (50 m), Pumpernickel (200 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Glenwhisk (90 m), George Hotel (110 m), Craigdarroch Hotel (10 m)
- Shops
- Watsons Grocers (20 m)
Know before you go
- 33.9 km without café, shop, or water between km 31.1 and 65
- 3.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 11.5 km on roads with posted limits 80 km/h or more
- 2% of route is gravel or unpaved