Road · United Kingdom
Duns Red Route
A hilly 39 km road cycling loop from Lintlaw, Scottish Borders through Grantshouse, Quixwood and Abbey St Bathans, with 450 m of climbing. The first 20 km has no café, shop or water.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 38.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 450 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 46 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 20 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Lintlaw
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 450 m
- 39 km
Route description
- Lintlaw
- Grantshouse
- Quixwood
- Abbey St Bathans
- Birkenside
- Ashfield
- Ladywell
- Edrom Mains
- Blanerne
- Lintlaw
The Duns Red Route is a 38.7 km loop starting near Lintlaw and passing through Grantshouse, Butterdean, Quixwood, Whiteburn, and Abbey St Bathans before reaching Edrom again. The first half includes 67% of the climbing, with the highest point at 245 m reached around km 3.9. The ride has four main climbs: the longest is 2.6 km from km 1.2 with an average gradient of 5.6%, and the steepest 500 m section reaches 7.6% around km 11.9.
The route mainly follows minor roads (79%) but includes 7.3 km on main roads, all without cycle lanes and posted at speeds of 80 km/h or more, including a 3.4 km stretch on the B6365. Almost the entire route (99%) is paved, with just 1% gravel or unpaved. There is a long stretch of 20 km from the start with no café, shop, or water source, though The Woodlands Cafe is available off-route near km 20.
Highlights
- Climb to 245 m near Shannabank Hill
- Descent of 2.9 km from km 5.5
- Route passes Duns Law at km 30
- Ruins of Blanerne Castle near 36.3 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 1.2 km | 2.6 km · 148 m · 5.6 % · max 7.8 % | 245 m |
| Unnamed climb | 8.6 km | 1.7 km · 50 m · 3.1 % · max 4.3 % | 174 m |
| Unnamed climb | 11.5 km | 1.3 km · 67 m · 5 % · max 7.8 % | 226 m |
| Unnamed climb | 20 km | 3.4 km · 82 m · 2.4 % · max 4 % | 232 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 7.3 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 79% minor road · 19% main road · 2% quiet street
- Main roads
- 7.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 7.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B6365 (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 29% climbing · 26% descending · 45% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.7 km over 5% · 0.3 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 7.6% at 11.9 km
- Longest descent
- 2.9 km from 5.5 km, dropping 82 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 20 km, from the start. Along the route: 1 café or restaurant.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 20 kmThe Woodlands Cafe · café · 50 m off route
Worth a stop
- 18 km — Strafontane Church (Site of) (archaeological site)
- 36.3 km — Blanerne Castle (ruins)
Know before you go
- 7.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 7.3 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 20 km with no café, shop, or water from start
- Steepest 500 m gradient is 7.6% at km 11.9
