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Road · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 2 · National Cycle Route 75← Stage 1
Glasgow to Edinburgh
A rolling 104 km road cycling route from Glasgow to Edinburgh through Calton, Gallowflat and Tannochside, with 483 m of climbing. 58% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 104.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 483 m
- Riding time
- 7 h 27 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Glasgow → Edinburgh
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 483 m
- 104 km
Route description
- Glasgow
- Calton
- Gallowflat
- Tannochside
- Mull
- Blackridge
- Dedridge
- Baberton
- Bruntsfield
- Edinburgh
The route starts in Glasgow passing through many suburbs such as Tradeston, Gorbals, and Rutherglen. It covers mostly paved surfaces (90%) with 57 km on cycle paths and 14 km on quiet streets. The first 27 km are mostly flat, with the lowest point at 3 m around 3.8 km and gradual elevation gain thereafter. Climbing is mild with three noted climbs: a 2.1 km stretch gaining 47 m starting near 27 km, a 3.6 km long climb gaining 78 m from 70.5 km, and a short but steeper 0.9 km ascent gaining 56 m at 79.3 km.
After Glasgow, the route passes through towns including Coatbridge at 26 km, Airdrie at 29 km, and Bathgate at 54 km. There is a longest stretch of 7.7 km without café, shop, or water between 37.4 and 45.1 km, but otherwise many shops, cafés, bike shops, water points, and toilets are found frequently along the way, especially near urban areas. The path follows named routes such as the Water of Leith Walkway for 5.6 km and Union Canal Towpath for 3.5 km, with some parts on main roads (3 km) and 7.8 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or above. Main roads without cycle lanes total 3.4 km.
The profile ranges from 3 m at 3.8 km up to 197 m near 39.2 km. The majority (79%) is flat with 11% climbing and 10% descending, no sections exceed an 8% gradient for any sustained distance. The final section includes delivery through Edinburgh suburbs ending near Leith at 98 km. Facilities at start and finish include cafés, pubs, supermarkets, and bike shops.
Why ride this route?
- 58% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Mild climbs at km 27, 70, and 79
- Water of Leith Walkway for 5.6 km
- Longest stretch without café/shop/water: 7.7 km
- End in Edinburgh near Leith at 98 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 27.1 km | 2.1 km · 47 m · 2.3 % · max 3.6 % | 130 m |
| Unnamed climb | 70.5 km | 3.6 km · 78 m · 2.2 % · max 3.1 % | 168 m |
| Unnamed climb | 79.3 km | 0.9 km · 56 m · 6.5 % · max 6.5 % | 173 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 58% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 57% cycle path · 14% quiet street · 10% minor road · 7% path · 12% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 7.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 60.1 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Water of Leith Walkway (6 km), Union Canal Towpath (4 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 90% is mapped as paved, 7% as unpaved or gravel and 3% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 11% climbing · 10% descending · 79% flat
- Longest descent
- 2 km from 99.3 km, dropping 63 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 1175 cafés and restaurants, 190 shops, 4 water points, 16 petrol stations, 32 public toilets and 47 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmToilets · 160 m off route
- 1.2 kmCycletrade · bike shop · 120 m off route
- 5.1 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 14.1 kmEssentials · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 17.1 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 26 kmThe Fountain Cafe · café · 40 m off route
- 30.4 kmLidl · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 30.5 kmStarbucks · café · 40 m off route
- 56.2 kmTesco · petrol station · 120 m off route
- 74.2 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 74.4 kmKirknewton Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 84.5 kmJust Bike Repairs · bike shop · 70 m off route
- 88.5 kmToilets · 120 m off route
- 88.6 kmAsda · petrol station · 100 m off route
- 92.4 kmScotmid · supermarket · 30 m off route
- 93.8 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 180 m off route
- 94.3 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 98.2 kmAldi · supermarket · 60 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.3 km — Argyle Street (station), 340 m off route
- 13.5 km — Newton (station), 70 m off route
- 25.8 km — Coatbridge Central (station), 100 m off route
- 37 km — Caldercruix (station), on the route
- 50.4 km — Armadale (station), 130 m off route
- 64.4 km — Livingston Mill (station), 350 m off route
- 73.5 km — Kirknewton (station), 40 m off route
- 93.9 km — Edinburgh Waverley (station), 260 m off route
Worth a stop
- 6.2 km — The Tur Viewing Platform (viewpoint)
- 25.5 km — The Time Capsule Coatbridge (attraction)
- 57.3 km — Round Hill (peak)
- 64.1 km — Livingston Stone Circle (archaeological site)
- 67.2 km — Howden Rock Ramp (viewpoint)
- 86.6 km — Colinton Castle (castle)
Stay after this ride
- Ocean Mist · hotel · 300 m from the finish
- Malmaison · hotel · 360 m from the finish
- Ocean Inn · guest house · 650 m from the finish
- Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh-Waterfront · hotel · 360 m from the finish
- 4 Friends House · guest house · 700 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Avenu Cafe (170 m), Carlton Food Bar (180 m), Millie's Cookies (200 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Cafe Domenico (200 m), Relish (250 m), Roseleaf (170 m)
- Shops
- Aldi (120 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café/shop/water 7.7 km between km 37.4 and 45.1
- 3.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 7.8 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 7% gravel or unpaved surface
