Road · From the map · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 1
- 38 km
- 80 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 80 m
- 38 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders looking for an easy distance with minimal climbing over around 38 km.
National Cycle Route 1 from Elgin to Forres in Moray, UK, 38 km with 80 m climbing.
This 37.9 km route starts in Elgin and passes through Newmill, Bishopmill, and Findrassie before reaching Stotfield at 8.1 km. It continues via Duffus, Hopeman, Cummingston, and Burghead, then Kinloss, Forbes Hill, and finishes at Forres. The route crosses a variety of road types: 13.8 km of cycle path (37%), 11 km on main roads (29%), 3.7 km quiet streets, 3.7 km paths, 2.5 km tracks, and 1.5 km minor roads. The longest stretches on named roads include 6.5 km on the B9089 and 3.6 km on the B9040. There is 11 km on main roads without cycle lanes, with 9.3 km on roads posted at 80 km/h or more. The surface is paved for 81% and gravel or unpaved for 15%. Climbing is minimal with 80 m ascent and a peak elevation of 30 m at 14 km, with the lowest point at 2 m around 3.9 km. The gradient is mostly flat (92%), with only 0.1 km over 5%.
Highlights
- Passing near Clarkly Hill (63 m) at 19.9 km
- Longest named road: B9089 for 6.5 km
- Route passes through Duffus and Burghead
- Elgin Cathedral near start
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 37% cycle path · 29% main road · 10% quiet street · 10% path
- Main roads
- 11 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 9.3 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 14.1 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B9089 (7 km), B9040 (4 km)
- Surface
- 81% paved · 15% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 3% climbing · 4% descending · 92% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmMNMs Cafe · café · 270 m off route
- 0 kmHighland Bikes · bike shop · 410 m off route
- 0.1 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 1.5 kmBudgens · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 1.5 kmEsso · petrol station · 50 m off route
- 7.5 kmSpar · convenience store · 270 m off route
- 10.3 kmCovesea Cafe · café · 110 m off route
- 14.6 kmDuffus Inn · restaurant · 280 m off route
- 19.7 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 21.4 kmScotmid · supermarket · 180 m off route
- 21.7 kmCable Cafe · café · 170 m off route
- 30.2 kmWoodside Farm Coffee Shop and Play Area · café · 200 m off route
- 31.9 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 32 kmSea Park Filling Station · petrol station · on the route
- 35.6 kmGrant Park Toilets · toilets · 180 m off route
- 35.9 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 200 m off route
- 36 kmForres community cafe · café · 150 m off route
- 36.3 kmRowlands Pharmacy · pharmacy · 200 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Elgin (station), 890 m off route
- 37.1 km — Forres (station), 90 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Elgin Cathedral (attraction)
- 7.3 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
- 31.7 km — Kinloss Abbey (ruins)
- 35 km — Sueno's Stone (attraction)
At the start
- MNMs Cafe · café · 270 m
- Ashers Bakery · bakery · 300 m
- The Emperor · restaurant · 200 m
- Harpers Coffee Shop · café · 340 m
- Ionic Bar · bar · 280 m
At the finish
- Forres · station · 270 m
- Tesco · supermarket · 580 m
- Forres community cafe · café · 850 m
- Mosset Tavern · pub · 610 m
- Cafe 1496 · café · 780 m
Stay after this ride
- Victoria Hotel · hotel · 610 m from the finish
- April Rise · guest house · 740 m from the finish
- Knockomie Hotel · hotel · 2.1 km from the finish
- The Old Kirk B&B · guest house · 3.9 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 2 h 42 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop, or water: 8.5 km from 21.7 to 30.2 km
- 11 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 9.3 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more
- 15% gravel or unpaved surface
