Cyclists.com

Glasgow to Prestwick

Glasgow, Glasgow City, United KingdomRoad

Route contributed by Marcus · Created from a ride on Sunday 18th May 2025

107 km
Distance
624 m
Elevation gain
Hard
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
On the road: Glasgow to Prestwick

Elevation profile

Total ascent
624 m
Distance
107 km
0100200300400m0 km255075106 km292 m · highest, at 93.4 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders prepared for a 106.5 km loop with moderate climbing of 733 m.

A 106.5 km loop cycling route from Glasgow to Prestwick and back, with 733 m elevation gain.

This loop route starts in Glasgow at Woodfarm and follows a varied road mix including 45 km of main roads, 30.4 km of cycle paths, and 12.6 km of minor roads. Early climbing begins around km 1.9 with a 1.9 km ascent gaining 41 m. The route passes through many places including Newton Mearns, Kilmarnock, and Prestwick before returning to Glasgow. The highest point on the route is at 294 m around km 93 and the lowest point is at 6 m near km 47.5. Climbing is generally gentle with five notable climbs between km 1.9 and 86.6, the steepest section lasting 0.7 km with a 5.6% gradient near km 78.2. 66% of the route is flat with 18% climbing and 16% descending. The longest descent stretches for 6.2 km from km 96 dropping 173 m. Surfaces are mostly paved (97%), with 2% gravel or unpaved and some unmapped sections. Riders can find cafés, shops, and petrol stations at multiple points, for example, cafés at km 3.5, 23.8 and 97.8. There are also opportunities to bail out to train stations at Whitecraigs (km 1), Kilmarnock (km 25.8), Barassie (km 41.2), Prestwick International Airport (km 47.5), and Clarkston (km 103).

Highlights

  • Prestwick at 49.5 km on the route
  • Highest point at 294 m around 93 km
  • Longest descent 6.2 km starting at 96 km
  • Barr Castle near 75.7 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Kirkhill 2.2 km
  2. Crookfur 2.8 km
  3. Shaw 3 km
  4. Mearns 3.3 km
  5. Newton Mearns 3.5 km
  6. Greenfarm 3.7 km
  7. Paidmyre 3.7 km
  8. Hazelden 4.2 km
  9. Mearnskirk 4.2 km
  10. Netherplace Estate 4.2 km
  11. Westacres 4.6 km
  12. Malletsheugh 4.8 km
  13. Maidenhill 4.8 km
  14. Netherplace 5.1 km
  15. Loganswell 7.4 km
  16. Floak 11.3 km
  17. Fenwick 19.2 km
  18. Onthank 24.5 km
  19. New Farm Loch 24.7 km
  20. Altonhill 25.6 km
  21. Kilmarnock 25.8 km
  22. Grange 26.2 km
  23. Bonnyton 26.4 km
  24. Knockentiber 28.4 km
  25. Crosshouse 28.8 km
  26. Springside 31.6 km
  27. Dreghorn 33.7 km
  28. Bourtreehill 34.4 km
  29. Broomlands 34.4 km
  30. Shewalton 36.6 km
  31. Gailes 37.5 km
  32. Barassie 41.1 km
  33. Muirhead 42 km
  34. Loans 42.4 km
  35. Troon 42.9 km
  36. Monkton 46.8 km
  37. Prestwick 49.5 km
  38. New Prestwick 50.9 km
  39. Newton-on-Ayr 51.7 km
  40. Lochside 51.7 km
  41. Braehead 51.9 km
  42. Heathfield 52.4 km
  43. Whitletts 52.5 km
  44. Dalmilling 53 km
  45. St Quivox 54.1 km
  46. Mossblown 57 km
  47. Tarbolton 61.5 km
  48. Crosshands 68.2 km
  49. Friendlesshead 68.9 km
  50. Galston 75.8 km
  51. Moscow 79.8 km
  52. Waterside 83.5 km
  53. Eaglesham 97.3 km
  54. Millhall 97.3 km
  55. Waterfoot 99.9 km
  56. Millerston 100.9 km
  57. Busby 102.1 km
  58. Carolside 102.1 km
  59. Clarkston 102.9 km
  60. Stamperland 102.9 km
  61. Netherlee 103.4 km
  62. South Williamwood 103.6 km
  63. Braidbar 104 km
  64. Orchardhill 104 km
  65. Giffnock 104.2 km
  66. Orchard Park 104.2 km
  67. Eastwoodmains 104.2 km
  68. Robslee 104.2 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—1.9 km1.9 km41 m2.2 %2.7 %136 m
—55.8 km3.4 km73 m2.2 %3.5 %106 m
—62 km2.3 km58 m2.6 %3.6 %135 m
—75.5 km2.2 km77 m3.5 %5.8 %128 m
—86.6 km2.9 km64 m2.2 %3.3 %250 m

High point 294 m at 93 km; low point 6 m. Passes beneath Barrance Hill, Fauldside Hill, Greenhags Hill.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
43% main road · 29% cycle path · 12% minor road · 5% quiet street
Main roads
45.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
20.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
35.8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
B744 (14 km), A719 (10 km), Moor Road (8 km), A77 (8 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
18% climbing · 16% descending · 66% flat
Steep sections
0.7 km over 5%
Longest descent
6.2 km from 96 km, dropping 173 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 16 km, from 76 km to 92 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 2.2 kmMearns Pharmacy · pharmacy · 60 m off route
  2. 2.4 kmBP · petrol station · 50 m off route
  3. 3.8 kmAsda · supermarket · 120 m off route
  4. 23.8 kmBello Luca · café · 90 m off route
  5. 23.8 kmBP · petrol station · 80 m off route
  6. 23.8 kmLloyds Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m off route
  7. 35 kmBP · petrol station · 120 m off route
  8. 47.5 kmToilets · 120 m off route
  9. 52.4 kmToilets · 200 m off route
  10. 52.6 kmM&S Foodhall · supermarket · 90 m off route
  11. 53 kmGro Coffee · café · 70 m off route
  12. 61.4 kmPrincess Cafe · café · on the route
  13. 61.4 kmSpar · convenience store · on the route
  14. 75.8 kmSister Snax · restaurant · 40 m off route
  15. 76 kmTesco · supermarket · 80 m off route
  16. 97.8 kmThe Movie Cafe · café · 40 m off route
  17. 102.4 kmThe Co-operative Food · convenience store · on the route
  18. 103 kmBoots · pharmacy · on the route

Need to bail out?

  • 1 km — Whitecraigs (station), 120 m off route
  • 25.8 km — Kilmarnock (station), 730 m off route
  • 41.2 km — Barassie (station), 200 m off route
  • 47.5 km — Prestwick International Airport (station), 100 m off route
  • 103 km — Clarkston (station), 70 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 7.9 km — Robert Pollock Monument (monument)
  • 47.7 km — St Nicholas Church (ruins)
  • 52.8 km — War Memorial (monument)
  • 61.8 km — Tarbolton Motte (archaeological site)
  • 75.7 km — Barr Castle (castle)
  • 87.4 km — Harelaw Farm Wedding Venue (attraction)

At the start and finish

  • Williamwood · station · 480 m
  • Whitecraigs · station · 880 m
  • Bank Pub · pub · 330 m
  • MJs Brasserie · restaurant · 550 m
  • Usave · convenience store · 530 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4½–6½ hours riding
Season
May
Best months
Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest stretch without café, shop or water 15.7 km from 76.2 to 91.9 km
  • 45.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 20.5 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more
  • Gravel or unpaved surfaces on 2% of route

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

8 photographs from the road

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