Road · United Kingdom
Giffnock – Stewarton
A hilly 43 km road cycling loop from Clarkston through Whitecraigs, Broom and Mearns, with 382 m of climbing. There is a 23 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 15–37).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 42.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 382 m
- Riding time
- 2–2½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 23 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Clarkston
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 382 m
- 43 km
Route description
- Clarkston
- Whitecraigs
- Broom
- Mearns
- Waterfoot
- Fenwick
- Netherplace
- Westacres
- Newton Mearns
- Clarkston
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.
Why ride this route?
- The most climbing per kilometre of the 4 rides from Glasgow: 9 m per km.
- A 5.1 km descent dropping 117 m.
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 | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 8.4 km | 3.7 km · 122 m · 3.3 % · max 6.2 % | 272 m |
| Unnamed climb | 22 km | 2.2 km · 49 m · 2.3 % · max 3.7 % | 211 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.6 km | 2.4 km · 55 m · 2.3 % · max 3.5 % | 238 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (9.8 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 45% minor road · 23% main road · 13% road with cycle lane · 9% cycle path · 10% other roads and tracks
- 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: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 23 km, from km 15 to 37. Along the route: 21 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops and 2 petrol stations.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Trains and ferries
- Whitecraigs (890 m), Williamwood (480 m)
- Food and coffee
- Bank Pub (330 m), Boathouse (960 m)
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%
