Road · United Kingdom
Innerleithen Yellow Route
A hilly 61 km road cycling loop from Innerleithen, Scottish Borders through Walkerburn, West Bold and Glenbenna, with 533 m of climbing. There is a 34 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 26–61).
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 61.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 533 m
- Riding time
- 4 h 23 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 34 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Innerleithen
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 533 m
- 61 km
Route description
- Innerleithen
- Walkerburn
- West Bold
- Glenbenna
- Peel
- Clovenfords
- Stow
- Watherston
- Fountainhall
- Innerleithen
The Innerleithen Yellow Route is a 61.3 km loop starting and finishing in Innerleithen, passing through Walkerburn, West Bold, Glenbenna, Peel, Caddonfoot, Clovenfords, Stow, Watherston, Fountainhall, and Heriot. The route includes three main climbs: first from 12.8 km gaining 98 m over 2.8 km, second from 17.1 km gaining 107 m over 3.4 km, and a smaller climb from 46.9 km with 58 m gain over 2.4 km, reaching a high point of 376 m at 49.3 km. The low point is 123 m at 12.8 km, with half of the climbing in the first half of the route. The longest descent is 6.9 km long, dropping 175 m starting at 49.7 km.
Most of the route is on paved surfaces (98%), mostly on minor roads (55%) and main roads (38%), with 1.5 km on cycle paths and small amounts on quiet streets, tracks, and paths. The B709 is the longest named road ridden, covering 21.2 km. However, 23 km are on main roads without a cycle lane, and 32.4 km are on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or higher. There is a 2% section of gravel or unpaved surface.
Along the route, there are nine places with shops, stops, or refuel options near the start and at several villages. A 34.1 km stretch from 26.4 km to 60.5 km has no café, shop, or water available. Bailout is possible at Stow station (26.3 km). The route passes near peaks including Pyat Hill, Bowshank Hill, Mid Hill, and Hillside Knowe. At the start and finish in Innerleithen, facilities include bike shops and cafés such as Loulabelles and The Sitooterie, and pubs like Out Out.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 376 m, 49.3 km in.
- A 6.9 km descent dropping 175 m.
Highlights
- Climb starting at 12.8 km, 98 m gain
- Peak near 49.3 km at 376 m
- Longest descent 6.9 km long
- Scenic peaks near route: Pyat Hill, Bowshank Hill
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 12.8 km | 2.8 km · 98 m · 3.5 % · max 7 % | 222 m |
| Unnamed climb | 17.1 km | 3.4 km · 107 m · 3.2 % · max 6.8 % | 302 m |
| Unnamed climb | 46.9 km | 2.4 km · 58 m · 2.4 % · max 3.6 % | 376 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (23 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 55% minor road · 38% main road · 2% cycle path · 2% quiet street · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 23 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 32.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 1.5 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B709 (21 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 25% climbing · 25% descending · 50% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.3 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 8.8% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 6.9 km from 49.7 km, dropping 175 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 34 km, from km 26 to 61. Along the route: 10 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops, 1 water point, 1 public toilet and 3 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.3 kmCaddon Court Mini Market · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 0.5 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 0.6 kmDrinking water · 40 m off route
- 2.8 kmHenry Ballantyne Club · pub · 320 m off route
- 14.6 kmClovenfords Village Store · convenience store · on the route
- 26.4 kmThe Station House · pub · 90 m off route
- 60.6 kmLoulabelles · café · 60 m off route
- 60.6 kmDaymart · convenience store · 70 m off route
- 60.6 kmThe Bike Shop · bike shop · on the route
- 60.6 kmInnerleithen Pharmacy · pharmacy · 80 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 26.3 km — Stow (station), 90 m off route
Worth a stop
- 30.2 km — Pirn Knowe (peak)
- 35.2 km — Hodge Cairn Hillfort (archaeological site)
- 43.6 km — Little Dod (peak, 358 m)
- 52.7 km — Hillside Knowe (peak, 335 m)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Bikes and repair
- The Bike Shop (360 m), Tweed Valley Bikes (450 m)
- Food and coffee
- Loulabelles (390 m), The Sitooterie (330 m), Out Out (400 m)
Know before you go
- No café, shop or water for 34.1 km from 26.4 km to 60.5 km
- 23 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 32.4 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
- 2% gravel or unpaved surface
