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Road · United Kingdom
Glasgow to Edinburgh
- 104 km
- 483 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 483 m
- 104 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders comfortable with 100 km and moderate climbing over mostly paved and cycle path terrain.
Stage 2 of 2 of the National Cycle Route 75: 104.3 km from Glasgow to Edinburgh with 483 m of climbing, on the signed route.
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.
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 | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 27.1 km | 2.1 km | 47 m | 2.3 % | 3.6 % | 130 m |
| — | 70.5 km | 3.6 km | 78 m | 2.2 % | 3.1 % | 168 m |
| — | 79.3 km | 0.9 km | 56 m | 6.5 % | 6.5 % | 173 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 57% cycle path · 14% quiet street · 10% minor road · 7% path
- 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
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 11% climbing · 10% descending · 79% flat
- Longest descent
- 2 km from 99.3 km, dropping 63 m
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 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)
At the start
- Avenu Cafe · café · 170 m
- Carlton Food Bar · café · 180 m
- Millie's Cookies · bakery · 200 m
- Zaika Taal · restaurant · 130 m
- The 32 Counties · pub · 130 m
At the finish
- Cafe Domenico · café · 200 m
- Aldi · supermarket · 120 m
- Relish · café · 250 m
- Roseleaf · pub · 170 m
- The Kitchin · restaurant · 120 m
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
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 7 h 27 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
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
