Glasgow to Prestwick and back

Route overview

Suits fit riders comfortable with 106.5 km and 733 m of climbing, most of it concentrated in the second half.

A 106.5 km loop from Glasgow out over the Ayrshire moors to the coast at Prestwick, returning inland over Eaglesham Moor, with 733 m of climbing.

The route leaves the southern edge of Glasgow through Newton Mearns and starts climbing almost at once: a 3.6 km rise from km 1.9 at 2.1% tops out at 168 m near Loganswell, passing beneath Barrance Hill, Fauldside Hill and Blackloch Hill. From there it runs south through Floak and Fenwick to Kilmarnock at km 25.8, then across the flat lower Irvine valley by Crosshouse, Springside and Dreghorn towards the coast. The lowest point of the day, 17 m, comes at km 45.8 between Troon and Monkton, with Prestwick reached at km 49.5. The return is the harder half, with 66% of the total climbing. Short rises follow one another: 2.2 km at 2% out of Mossblown, 1.8 km at 2.3% after Tarbolton, then the steepest of the day, 2.1 km at 3.7% with a 6.4% maximum, out of Galston at km 75.8 to 152 m. Beyond Moscow and Waterside the road climbs onto the moor, a 2.4 km ramp from km 87 leading to the high point of 309 m at km 91.7, beneath Ballageich Hill (333 m) and Brown Hill (292 m). Eaglesham at km 97.3 begins the descent through Waterfoot, Busby and Clarkston back into Giffnock.

Highlights

• High point of 309 m on the moor at km 91.7
• Coast towns of Troon and Prestwick at the halfway mark
• Galston climb: 2.1 km at 3.7%, ramps to 6.4%
• Cafés in Tarbolton, Eaglesham and Clarkston on the return

Practical information

Surface

Paved

Route shape

Loop

Riding time

4½–6½ hours riding

Know before you go

• Steepest pitch of 6.4% on the climb out of Galston
• No café listed between km 3.5 and km 51.7, only a fuel stop at km 34.9

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.