Mixed · United Kingdom
Kirkpatrick Macmillan Cycle Trail
A rolling 23 km road cycling route from Nunwood, Dumfries and Galloway through Throughgate, Dunscore and Brockhillstone, with 178 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 22.5 km
- Elevation gain
- 178 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 36 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Nunwood
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 178 m
- 23 km
Route description
- Nunwood
- Throughgate
- Dunscore
- Brockhillstone
- Glenmidge
The Kirkpatrick Macmillan Cycle Trail starts at Nunwood, quickly passing through Holywood at 0.8 km. The route climbs steadily from 3.8 km over 4.1 km, gaining 115 m to reach the high point of 165 m at 7.9 km. After this, the profile descends over 1.7 km starting from 8.1 km. The road surface is mostly paved (99%), with 1% gravel or unpaved. The route uses a mix of minor roads (54%) and main roads (44%), including 10 km along the B729 and 6.7 km on the C125n. Main roads lack cycle lanes and 9 km have posted speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
Highlights
- Climb gaining 115 m at 2.8% average gradient
- Passing through Holywood and Dunscore
- Near the peak of Kirkbride Hill (192 m)
- Archaeological site Twelve Apostles off route at 0.8 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 3.8 km | 4.1 km · 115 m · 2.8 % · max 3.8 % | 165 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (10 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 54% minor road · 44% main road · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 10 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B729 (10 km), C125n (7 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 19% descending · 58% flat
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 1 café or restaurant.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 10.8 kmFlying Pig · bar · on the route
Worth a stop
- 0.8 km — Twelve Apostles (archaeological site)
- 14.7 km — Benan Hill (peak)
- 22.5 km — Old Keir Church (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- Volunteers Arms Hotel · hotel · 2.0 km from the finish
- Trigony House Hotel · hotel · 2.9 km from the finish
- Thornhill Inn b&b · guest house · 3.1 km from the finish
Know before you go
- 10 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 9 km on roads with speeds of 80 km/h or more
- Longest no café, shop or water stretch: 11.7 km between 10.8 and 22.5 km
