Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Innerleithen Purple Route
- 86 km
- 690 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 690 m
- 86 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders prepared for a long 86 km route with moderate climbing totalling 690 m.
A 86 km loop ride from Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders with 690m climbing.
The route starts in Innerleithen and quickly passes Traquair and Traquair Mill within the first 3 km. An early climb begins just before 3 km, lasting 6.1 km with 192 m gain, averaging 3.2%, reaching 356 m. After descending and passing Newhall, the ride reaches Cappercleuch at 20.5 km where a shorter climb of 2.3 km, 75 m gain, averaging 3.3%, starts at 22.2 km. Further on, at 29 km, another climbing section of 2.4 km with 97 m gain at 4% average takes the route passed Meggethead and Talla Linnfoots, nearing the highest point of 448 m at about 31 km. The return leg includes a 2.2 km climb at 3.5% average beginning around 63 km near Lyne Station. The lowest point is near the start at 141 m. The surface is almost entirely paved. The route mainly uses main roads (61%) including the B709, B712, A701 and B7062, with 52.4 km on main roads all without cycle lanes, and high-speed limit roads (70 km/h+). There is 1.6% gravel or unpaved sections. Cafés and shops are sparse between 2.3 and 42.1 km. Starting and finishing in Innerleithen provides shops, bike shops, cafés, and toilets nearby.
Highlights
- Climb reaching 448 m near km 31.4
- Passing Traquair at 2.2 km
- Longest descent of 4.3 km from 9.2 km
- Peebles at 74.3 km with shops and bakery nearby
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 2.9 km | 6.1 km | 192 m | 3.2 % | 5.6 % | 356 m |
| — | 22.2 km | 2.3 km | 75 m | 3.3 % | 8.1 % | 351 m |
| — | 29 km | 2.4 km | 97 m | 4 % | 6.4 % | 448 m |
| — | 63.3 km | 2.2 km | 78 m | 3.5 % | 4.6 % | 251 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 61% main road · 34% minor road · 2% quiet street · 1% path
- Main roads
- 52.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 70 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B709 (13 km), B712 (11 km), A701 (11 km), B7062 (11 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 19% climbing · 18% descending · 62% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.6 km over 5% · 0.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.3% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 4.3 km from 9.2 km, dropping 118 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 40 km, from 2 km to 42 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmNo1 Peebles Road · café · on the route
- 0 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 0 kmTweed Valley Bikes · bike shop · 140 m off route
- 0 kmInnerleithen Pharmacy · pharmacy · 230 m off route
- 0.1 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 80 m off route
- 2.3 kmDrinking water · 80 m off route
- 42.1 kmWee Crook Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 73.7 kmGlen Road Stores · convenience store · 110 m off route
- 74.1 kmThe Fat Batard · bakery · 280 m off route
- 74.1 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 74.3 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 200 m off route
- 74.3 kmBoots · pharmacy · 310 m off route
- 75.5 kmFall Line Cycles Ltd · bike shop · 100 m off route
- 79.1 kmToilets · 110 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.5 km — Traquair House (castle)
- 19.1 km — St Marys Kirk Yard (attraction)
- 53.7 km — Tinnis Castle (remains of) (archaeological site)
- 80.2 km — Cardrona Standing Stone (archaeological site)
At the start and finish
- No1 Peebles Road · café · 10 m
- The Co-operative Food · supermarket · 110 m
- DurtyBrewing · bar · 100 m
- Caldwells Home Made Ice Cream · ice cream · 60 m
- Tweed Valley Bikes · bike shop · 140 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 6 h 10 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- No café, shop or water between 2.3 km and 42.1 km (39.8 km)
- 52.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 70 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 1.6 km gravel or unpaved sections
