Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Giffnock – Stewarton
- 43 km
- 382 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 382 m
- 43 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders ready for moderate distance with 441 m of climbing.
A 42.6 km loop from Giffnock through Stewarton area, Scotland, with 441 m climbing.
The route starts near Clarkston and Whitecraigs stations in Giffnock and heads east passing through several places including Eaglesham at 9.2 km, then Fenwick at 22.2 km. It features three main climbs: a 3.7 km climb starting at 8.4 km gaining 122 m, reaching 272 m altitude; a smaller 2.2 km climb from 22 km with 49 m gain; and another 2.4 km climb from 28.6 km gaining 55 m. The highest point on the route is 294 m at 13.6 km. Roads are mostly minor roads (45%) with 23% on main roads. Around 9.3 km is on cycle paths or lanes. There is a long 22.7 km stretch between 14.7 km and 37.4 km with no cafés, shops, or water. Paved surface covers 98%, with only 1% gravel or unpaved. The longest descent is 5.1 km from 37.5 km dropping 117 m. Places with food or shops to refuel include early stops like the Bank Pub near the start and cafés near 8.9 km and 14.7 km, while later supermarkets and cafés are near 38.7 km and 38.8 km. The loop returns to Giffnock at 42.4 km.
Highlights
- Climb to 272 m elevation
- Passes Ballageich Hill (333 m)
- Longest descent 5.1 km dropping 117 m
- 22.7 km without café or shop after 14.7 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 8.4 km | 3.7 km | 122 m | 3.3 % | 6.2 % | 272 m |
| — | 22 km | 2.2 km | 49 m | 2.3 % | 3.7 % | 211 m |
| — | 28.6 km | 2.4 km | 55 m | 2.3 % | 3.5 % | 238 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 45% minor road · 23% main road · 13% road with cycle lane · 9% cycle path
- Main roads
- 9.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 19.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 9.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B769 (9 km), Moor Road (8 km), A77 (6 km), Clunch Road (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 30% climbing · 29% descending · 41% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.8 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6% at 9.4 km
- Longest descent
- 5.1 km from 37.5 km, dropping 117 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 23 km, from 15 km to 37 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmBank Pub · pub · 330 m off route
- 2.4 kmMearns Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 2.5 kmM&S Simply Food · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 3.7 kmEsso · petrol station · on the route
- 8.9 kmThe Movie Cafe · café · on the route
- 8.9 kmMel's Food And Wine · convenience store · on the route
- 14.7 kmWhitelee Wind Farm Café · café · 220 m off route
- 38.7 kmAsda · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 38.8 kmCosta · café · 80 m off route
- 38.8 kmSuperdrug · pharmacy · 70 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.1 km — Clarkston (station), 1.4 km off route
- 41.4 km — Whitecraigs (station), 80 m off route
Worth a stop
- 14.7 km — Queenseat Hill (peak)
- 19.3 km — Harelaw Farm Wedding Venue (attraction)
- 30.7 km — Black Hill (peak)
At the start and finish
- Whitecraigs · station · 890 m
- Williamwood · station · 480 m
- Bank Pub · pub · 330 m
- Boathouse · café · 960 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 2–2½ hours riding
- May
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 22.7 km stretch without café, shop or water from 14.7 km to 37.4 km
- 9.8 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 19.8 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- Around 0.8 km with gradient over 5%
