Girvan to Alloway
- 37 km
- 376 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 376 m
- 37 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders comfortable with moderate climbing over 36.5 km.
Stage 5 of 5 of the National Byway (SW Scotland): 36.5 km from Girvan to Alloway with 376 m of climbing, on the signed route.
The route starts at Girvan (0 km) at 3 m elevation and passes Kilgrammie at 8.5 km and Wallacetown at 11.5 km before reaching Roan of Craigoch at 14.1 km. Maybole is 22 km into the ride. The road climbs gently from 2.4 km for 2.6 km gaining 46 m at an average 1.8% grade, and includes further steeper climbs mainly after Maybole with the longest climb of 2.3 km starting at 28.6 km gaining 104 m at 4.5% average gradient. The highest elevation is 203 m reached near 31 km. The route finishes at Girvan again at 36.5 km, with total climbing of 376 m over the ride.
Highlights
- Climbs near Maybole
- Gentle climbs early on
- Longest climb 2.3 km at 4.5%
- Highest point at 203 m near 31 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 2.4 km | 2.6 km | 46 m | 1.8 % | 3.6 % | 54 m |
| — | 20.6 km | 2.1 km | 78 m | 3.7 % | 5.7 % | 139 m |
| — | 23.1 km | 1.7 km | 56 m | 3.4 % | 6 % | 194 m |
| — | 28.6 km | 2.3 km | 104 m | 4.5 % | 6.6 % | 203 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 61% minor road · 29% main road · 8% quiet street
- Main roads
- 10.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 14.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B741 (8 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 23% descending · 53% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.7 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.1% at 29.3 km
- Longest descent
- 2.8 km from 26 km, dropping 88 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 21 km, from 0 km to 21 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmMaly's Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 0 kmBoots · pharmacy · 130 m off route
- 0.1 kmAsda · supermarket · 320 m off route
- 0.1 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 0.1 kmOld Street Garage · petrol station · 210 m off route
- 0.3 kmRepair stand · 260 m off route
- 21.6 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 21.8 kmThe Dairy Corner Tearoom · café · 180 m off route
- 21.8 kmSpar · supermarket · 160 m off route
- 21.8 kmJET · petrol station · 160 m off route
- 21.8 kmLloyds Pharmacy · pharmacy · 210 m off route
- 36.1 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 360 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.1 km — Girvan (station), 480 m off route
- 21.8 km — Maybole (station), 30 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.3 km — Girvan Mains Roman camp (archaeological site)
- 12.5 km — Captain's Bridge, dun site (archaeological site)
- 22 km — Maybole Castle (castle)
At the start
- Maly's Cafe · café · 50 m
- Flynn's Boatyard · pub · 20 m
- Bob's Ice Cream Kiosk · ice cream · 90 m
- Mr Chips · fast food · 50 m
- Graziano's · café · 220 m
At the finish
- Co-op Food · supermarket · 360 m
Stay after this ride
- Greenan Lodge · guest house · 470 m from the finish
- Brig o' Doon Hotel · hotel · 1.8 km from the finish
- The Chestnuts · hotel · 2.7 km from the finish
- The Abbotsford · hotel · 2.9 km from the finish
- Blackburn Villa B&B · guest house · 3.1 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 2 h 36 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 16–17 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 21 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from 0.3 km
- 10.5 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 14.5 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more