Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Innerleithen Blue Route
- 70 km
- 524 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 524 m
- 70 km
Route overview
This ride suits cyclists comfortable with moderate climbing over 70 km on mostly main roads.
70km loop ride from Innerleithen in Scottish Borders, UK, with 524m climbing on mostly paved roads.
This 70km loop starts and finishes in Innerleithen, passing through Walkerburn, West Bold, Glenbenna, Peel, Caddonfoot, Fairnilee, Selkirk, Ettrickbridge, Newhall, Kirkhouse, Traquair Mill and Traquair. The route is 99% paved and includes 79% main roads such as the B709, B7009, A707 and A708, with 55km on main roads without cycle lanes and 61.9km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Climbing totals 524m, spread across three main climbs: 1.7km gaining 41m averaging 2.5% from km 17; 3.8km gaining 139m averaging 3.6% from km 45.5; and 4.5km gaining 125m averaging 2.8% from km 55.6. The highest point on the ride is 373m at 49.6km. The longest descent is 5.9km dropping 190m from km 60.8. Facilities for food and drink are found near the start at Innerleithen, and in Selkirk at 21.5-23.8km, with a pub around 34 km. After km 34.1 there is no café, shop or water for almost 33 km until near the finish. Toilets and bike shops are mainly located at the start and near Selkirk. Peaks near the route include Elibank Craig at 8.5 km and Hartleap Knowe near 50 km, with Traquair House castle near 67.7 km.
Highlights
- Peaks Elibank Craig and Hartleap Knowe near the route
- Traquair House castle at 67.7 km
- Three main climbs between km 17 and km 60
- Longest descent of 5.9 km starting at km 60.8
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 17 km | 1.7 km | 41 m | 2.5 % | 4.1 % | 161 m |
| — | 45.5 km | 3.8 km | 139 m | 3.6 % | 5.5 % | 363 m |
| — | 55.6 km | 4.5 km | 125 m | 2.8 % | 3.7 % | 356 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 79% main road · 16% minor road · 3% quiet street · 1% path
- Main roads
- 55 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 61.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B709 (23 km), B7009 (17 km), A707 (9 km), A708 (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 21% descending · 58% flat
- Longest descent
- 5.9 km from 60.8 km, dropping 190 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 33 km, from 34 km to 67 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmLoulabelles · café · 50 m off route
- 0 kmDaymart · convenience store · 30 m off route
- 0 kmInnerleithen Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 0.1 kmThe Bike Shop · bike shop · on the route
- 1 kmDrinking water · 110 m off route
- 1 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 21.5 kmThe Andrew Lang Unit · clinic · 750 m off route
- 21.7 kmA & Z Stores · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 21.7 kmScott's Cycle Services · bike shop · 490 m off route
- 23.8 kmThe Waterwheel Cafe · café · 40 m off route
- 34.1 kmCross Keys · pub · on the route
- 66.9 kmDrinking water · 70 m off route
- 69.1 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 80 m off route
- 69.2 kmNo1 Peebles Road · café · on the route
- 69.2 kmToilets · 90 m off route
Worth a stop
- 8.5 km — Elibank Craig (peak, 295 m)
- 50 km — Hartleap Knowe (peak)
- 67.7 km — Traquair House (castle)
At the start and finish
- Loulabelles · café · 50 m
- No1 Peebles Road · café · 220 m
- Tweed Valley Bikes · bike shop · 80 m
- The Bike Shop · bike shop · 90 m
- Out Out · pub · 30 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 5 h 00 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 55 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 61.9 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits or more
- Longest café, shop and waterless stretch is 32.8 km after km 34.1
- Around 0.6 km of unpaved or track surfaces
