Road · United Kingdom
Vertish Hill Loop
A hilly 12 km road cycling loop from Hawick, Scottish Borders through Crowbyres, Greenbraehead and Flex, with 130 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 11.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 130 m
- Riding time
- 51 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Hawick
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 130 m
- 12 km
Route description
- Hawick
- Crowbyres
- Greenbraehead
- Flex
- St Leonard's
- Goldielands
- Branxholm Woodfoot
- Borthaugh
- Martinshouse
- Hawick
This loop starts in Hawick and passes through Crowbyres, Greenbraehead, and Flex in the first 4 km. A 2.4 km climb begins near km 3.1, gaining 99 m at an average gradient of 4.1%, reaching the highest point at 5.7 km near Vertish Hill at 234 m elevation.
The route continues past St Leonard's, Branxholm Bridgend and Goldielands, crossing Branxholmepark Hill vicinity around 7.8 km before descending steadily. The surface is mostly paved (98%), with 2% unpaved, and riders use a mix of minor roads, main roads and quiet streets. There are 3.6 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 7.9 km on roads posted 80 km/h or higher.
Limited facilities are available; the longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 10.4 km between 0.6 km and 11 km. In Hawick at the start and finish there are bakeries, cafés, shops, toilets, clinics and bike shops within reach. The loop finishes near Wilton, completing the circuit back to Hawick.
Highlights
- Climb up to 234 m near Vertish Hill
- Passes Hardie's Hill, Vertish Hill, Branxholmepark Hill
- Longest descent 1.8 km starting at 5.7 km
- Mix of minor roads, main roads and quiet streets
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 3.1 km | 2.4 km · 99 m · 4.1 % · max 6.8 % | 233 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (3.6 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 49% minor road · 27% main road · 16% quiet street · 8% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 7.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 25% climbing · 19% descending · 56% flat
- Steep sections
- 1 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 8.5% at 0 km
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 31 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops, 2 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmHawick Cycles · bike shop · 580 m off route
- 0 kmHHCC Pharmacy · pharmacy · 300 m off route
- 0.3 kmKat's Corner Shop · convenience store · on the route
- 0.5 kmG Harrow & Son Homebakery · bakery · 40 m off route
- 0.5 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 11 kmWilton Lodge Cafe · café · 110 m off route
- 11.7 kmTeviot Day Service · clinic · 30 m off route
- 11.8 kmLidl · supermarket · 240 m off route
- 11.8 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 11.8 kmWillow eBikes · bike shop · 590 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.6 km — Heart of Hawick (attraction)
- 11.2 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- G Harrow & Son Homebakery (230 m), Damascus Drum (240 m), Espresso Library (240 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water is 10.4 km
- 3.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 7.9 km on roads at 80 km/h or more
- 500 m section with max 8.5% gradient at start
