Road · From the map · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 1: Edinburgh to Loch Leven
- 47 km
- 432 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 432 m
- 47 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders comfortable with moderate distance and climbing over 432 m.
National Cycle Route 1 from Edinburgh to Loch Leven, 47 km with 432 m climbing through urban and rural areas.
The route starts in Edinburgh and passes through districts including New Town, Old Town, Stockbridge, and West End within the first 2 km. It then continues north-west through Craigleith, Blackhall, and Barnton to Cramond and Dalmeny. The first 16 km includes 40% of the total climbing, descending to a low of 5 m near km 17. Around km 15 to 19, the route features a low point and passes near viewpoints and ferry points. From Inverkeithing at km 21, the route climbs gently on stretches up to 3.6% average gradient, including four climbs between km 22.5 and 37.9 reaching a high point of 286 m. The road surface is mainly paved (97%), mixing 36% cycle paths, 32% minor roads, 11% quiet streets, and about 14% main roads, some without cycle lanes. There is a 15.9 km stretch with no café, shop or water from km 30 to 45.9, so refuelling before this point is advised. Key places along the way for food and drink include cafés at Dalmeny (km 13.8), Starosta Café near km 21, and Rice Delight fast food just beyond km 26. Bike shops are available near the start in Edinburgh and in Inverkeithing. Bailout points with stations and a ferry serve Haymarket, Dalmeny, Inverkeithing, and Dunfermline Queen Margaret. The route ends near Kinross with café and pharmacy facilities.
Highlights
- Cramond and Dalmeny
- Four climbs between km 22.5 and 37.9
- Longest descent of 3.5 km drop 165 m
- Kinross at 46.6 km end point
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 22.5 km | 2.1 km | 66 m | 3.2 % | 5.8 % | 78 m |
| — | 27.8 km | 1.7 km | 52 m | 3 % | 5.1 % | 133 m |
| — | 33.4 km | 2.4 km | 59 m | 2.5 % | 3.5 % | 219 m |
| — | 36 km | 1.9 km | 66 m | 3.6 % | 5.9 % | 286 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 36% cycle path · 32% minor road · 11% quiet street · 8% main road
- Main roads
- 3.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 13.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 19.6 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- C498 (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 21% descending · 52% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.1 km over 5%
- Longest descent
- 3.5 km from 38.5 km, dropping 165 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 16 km, from 30 km to 46 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmStarbucks · café · on the route
- 0.8 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 210 m off route
- 1.5 kmBoots · pharmacy · 150 m off route
- 1.8 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 4.3 kmCosta · café · 140 m off route
- 4.3 kmSainsbury's · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 9.5 kmMiller & Carter · restaurant · on the route
- 13.8 kmDalmeny Kirk Café · café · on the route
- 16.1 kmShell · petrol station · 200 m off route
- 16.3 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 21.1 kmStarosta Cafe · café · on the route
- 21.1 kmRyan's Bike Surgery · bike shop · on the route
- 21.2 kmLindsay & Gilmour Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 21.8 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 26.7 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · on the route
- 26.8 kmRice Delight · fast food · 30 m off route
- 45.9 kmCashmere at Lochleven Coffee Shop · café · on the route
- 46.6 kmToilets · 110 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 1.8 km — Haymarket (station), 100 m off route
- 14.9 km — Dalmeny (station), 320 m off route
- 21.8 km — Inverkeithing (station), 50 m off route
- 28.3 km — Dunfermline Queen Margaret (station), 130 m off route
- 46.6 km — Ferry, 150 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.2 km — Robert Viscount Melville (monument)
- 9.4 km — James V attacked at Cramond Brig A.D.1532 (monument)
- 16.4 km — Forth Bridges Viewpoint (viewpoint)
- 21.3 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
- 37.9 km — Heights of Craigencrow (peak, 300 m)
- 41.3 km — Cleish Mill (archaeological site)
At the start
- Starbucks · café · 30 m
- Black Sheep Coffee · café · 30 m
- Bagel Factory · bakery · 90 m
- All Bar One · bar · 30 m
- The Standing Order · pub · 150 m
At the finish
- Cashmere at Lochleven Coffee Shop · café · 340 m
- Kinross Pharmacy · pharmacy · 480 m
- Rowlands Pharmacy · pharmacy · 730 m
Stay after this ride
- Salutation Hotel · hotel · 630 m from the finish
- Kelson Lodge · guest house · 1.1 km from the finish
- Travelodge · hotel · 1.9 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 3 h 22 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 15.9 km without café, shop or water from km 30 to 45.9
- 3.9 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 13.4 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
