Road · United Kingdom
Robertson
A hilly 16 km road cycling loop from Hawick, Scottish Borders through Roberton, with 172 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 16.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 172 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 10 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- None mapped
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Hawick
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 172 m
- 16 km
Route description
- Hawick
- Roberton
- Hawick
This 16.3 km loop starts and finishes in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, passing through Roberton at 4.6 km. The route climbs steadily from 7.8 km over 2 km, gaining 112 m at an average gradient of 5.6%, reaching a high point of 283 m at 9.8 km. The descent follows for nearly 3 km dropping 80 m mainly after 10.7 km.
The surface is predominantly paved (97%) with minor gravel sections (3%). Approximately two-thirds of the ride is on minor roads (10.8 km), and just under one-third on main roads (5 km) including a 5 km stretch on the B711. The main roads lack cycle lanes and 11.5 km have speed limits of 80 km/h or higher.
No cafés, shops, or water are available along the entire route. Peaks near the road include Borthaugh Hill (1.4 km), Highchesters Hill (2 km), Chapel Hill (10.5 km, 307 m off route), and Branxholmepark Hill (15.1 km, 389 m off route).
Highlights
- Climb from 7.8 km to 9.8 km gaining 112 m
- High point at 283 m near km 9.8
- Nearby peaks: Chapel Hill and Branxholmepark Hill
- Route passes through Roberton at 4.6 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 7.8 km | 2 km · 112 m · 5.6 % · max 7.5 % | 283 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (5 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 66% minor road · 31% main road · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 5 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 11.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B711 (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 25% climbing · 26% descending · 49% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.5 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 9.5% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 2.9 km from 10.7 km, dropping 80 m
Food, water and services
No café, shop or water point is mapped along the route - carry everything you need.
Worth a stop
- 10.5 km — Chapel Hill (peak)
- 15.1 km — Branxholmepark Hill (peak)
Know before you go
- No café, shop or water for 16.3 km
- 5 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 11.5 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
