Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 5 · National Byway (SW Scotland)Stage 2 →
Harelaw to Dumfries
A rolling 110 km road cycling route from Harelaw to Dumfries through Claygate, Bailiehill and Ecclefechan, with 694 m of climbing. There is a 37 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 13–50).
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 109.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 694 m
- Riding time
- 7 h 51 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 37 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Harelaw → Dumfries
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 694 m
- 110 km
Route description
- Harelaw
- Claygate
- Bailiehill
- Ecclefechan
- Powfoot
- Shearington
- Kelton Mains
- Broomlands
- Sandside
- Dumfries
The route starts near Penton and Harelaw, passing through Claygate and Langholm. The first climb is early, starting 0.2 km in, lasting 2.2 km with an average gradient of 3.9% and maximum of 7.2%, reaching 154 m height. After Langholm, another climb of 2.6 km at 2.9% average gradient begins at 13.1 km. The route continues through Bentpath, Bailiehill where two short climbs occur, both about 2 km long with moderate gradients up to 5.2%. Corrie Common is at 41 km, near the maximum elevation point of 232 m at 40.5 km.
The road descends and levels out towards Dumfries, passing Lockerbie at 50 km, Ecclefechan at 59.6 km, Annan at 68.4 km, and several smaller villages along the final 40 km. The route ends in the town centre of Dumfries. Most of the ride is on paved roads with 42% on main roads and 39% on minor roads, plus 10.2 km on cycle paths or lanes. Long stretches of main roads lack cycle lanes, and about 80 km are on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest stretch without café, shop, or water is 36.7 km from km 13 to 49.7. Cafés, shops, toilets, and bailout stations are available mainly in towns along the route, including Lockerbie and Annan.
The profile is mostly flat or gently rolling (67% flat), with 14% climbing and 19% descending. Steepest sustained gradient is 6.6% over 500 m at km 1.4. The longest descent is 4.6 km starting about km 57.5, dropping 88 m. Named roads include B725 for nearly 20 km and B6318 for about 10 km. Peaks near the road include Harelaw Pike, Meikleholm Hill, Mid Hill, and Craig Hill in the first half, and several smaller hills near the closing stages.
Highlights
- Climbs near Harelaw and Langholm
- Lockerbie town at 50 km with café and shops
- Peak near the road: Mid Hill (327 m)
- Longest descent of 4.6 km after 57.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.2 km | 2.2 km · 84 m · 3.9 % · max 7.2 % | 154 m |
| Unnamed climb | 13.1 km | 2.6 km · 75 m · 2.9 % · max 6.8 % | 151 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.4 km | 2.1 km · 47 m · 2.3 % · max 4.3 % | 175 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.2 km | 1.9 km · 42 m · 2.3 % · max 5.2 % | 222 m |
| Unnamed climb | 38.3 km | 1.3 km · 47 m · 3.5 % · max 5.4 % | 204 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (47.5 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 42% main road · 39% minor road · 6% quiet street · 5% road with cycle lane · 8% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 47.5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 80 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 10.2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B725 (20 km), B6318 (11 km), B709 (8 km), C83a (8 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 14% climbing · 19% descending · 67% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.9 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.6% at 1.4 km
- Longest descent
- 4.6 km from 57.5 km, dropping 88 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 37 km, from km 13 to 50. Along the route: 89 cafés and restaurants, 18 shops, 3 petrol stations, 11 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 12.3 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 160 m off route
- 12.8 kmGulf · petrol station · on the route
- 12.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 12.9 kmDavidsons Chemists · pharmacy · on the route
- 50 kmLockerbie Public Conveniences · toilets · 60 m off route
- 50 kmDavidsons Chemists · pharmacy · 30 m off route
- 50.4 kmPetrol station · 100 m off route
- 58.5 kmThe 'fechan Diner · café · 140 m off route
- 59.6 kmToilets · 200 m off route
- 68.4 kmCorner House Coffee · café · on the route
- 68.4 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 50 m off route
- 77.5 kmReception / Office · convenience store · on the route
- 93.3 kmCafé · 270 m off route
- 98.9 kmThe Boat House · café · 40 m off route
- 107.1 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 190 m off route
- 107.3 kmBP · petrol station · 150 m off route
- 107.9 kmThe Frothy Bike Co. · café · 40 m off route
- 108 kmWhitesands Toilets · toilets · 250 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 49.9 km — Lockerbie (station), 80 m off route
- 68.6 km — Annan (station), 350 m off route
- 108 km — Dumfries (station), 810 m off route
Worth a stop
- 12.9 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
- 17.8 km — Little Hill (peak, 188 m)
- 21.8 km — Drove Knowe Monument (monument)
- 29.3 km — Martinhill (peak, 240 m)
- 43.6 km — Hencastle Rig, Settlement (archaeological site)
- 68.1 km — Mote of Annan, Motte (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Glencairn Villa · guest house · 550 m from the finish
- Holly Garden · guest house · 560 m from the finish
- Cairndale Hotel · hotel · 580 m from the finish
- Lindean House · guest house · 570 m from the finish
- Torbay Lodge · guest house · 660 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- The Frothy Bike Co. (130 m), Coach and Horses (50 m), M&S Café (150 m)
Know before you go
- 36.7 km without café, shop or water from km 13 to 49.7
- 47.5 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 80 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limits
