Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Vertish Hill Loop
- 12 km
- 130 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 130 m
- 12 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders looking for a short loop with moderate climbing and mixed road types.
11.8 km loop from Hawick in the Scottish Borders with 130 m climbing.
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 | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 3.1 km | 2.4 km | 99 m | 4.1 % | 6.8 % | 233 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 49% minor road · 27% main road · 16% quiet street
- 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 throughout
- Gradient
- 25% climbing · 19% descending · 56% flat
- Steep sections
- 1 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 8.5% at 0 km
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 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)
At the start and finish
- G Harrow & Son Homebakery · bakery · 230 m
- Damascus Drum · café · 240 m
- Espresso Library · café · 240 m
- Drumlanrig Bar · pub · 250 m
- Stags Head · pub · 250 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 51 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
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
