Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Kelso Yellow Route
- 36 km
- 281 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 281 m
- 36 km
Route overview
Suitable for cyclists ready for a moderate 36 km ride with 280 m climbing on mixed road types.
35.8 km loop from Kelso in Scottish Borders with 281 m climbing on mostly minor roads.
Starting from Kelso, the route heads out through Roxburgh Barns, Kersmains, and Roxburgh before reaching Pirnie and Fairnington. After Woodside and Nisbetmill, it continues past Nisbet and East Nisbet. The route includes one significant climb of 2.7 km beginning near Eckford Mill and rising 99 m with an average gradient of 3.7%, peaking around km 28.2 near Graham's Law at 158 m height. The route is 97% paved with a small 3% gravel or unpaved section, covering 25.7 km on minor roads, 7.7 km on main roads (all without cycle lanes), 0.7 km on track, and 0.6 km on cycle path. The profile is gently rolling with 24% climbing, 22% descending and 55% flat. Longest descent of 3.6 km starts around km 32.1 dropping 103 m. The route passes archaeological sites such as Roxburgh Train Station and Ormiston Castle nearby. Kelso provides multiple facilities at the start and finish including several cafés, bakeries, supermarkets, a bakery and a bike shop. There is a very long stretch of 34.7 km without cafés, shops or water, so riders should prepare accordingly.
Highlights
- Kelso start and finish with cafés and shops
- 2.7 km climb near Eckford Mill
- Near Peniel Heugh 235 m and Graham's Law 176 m
- Archaeological sites at Roxburgh and Ormiston Castle
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 24.9 km | 2.7 km | 99 m | 3.7 % | 4.9 % | 156 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 72% minor road · 22% main road · 2% track · 2% cycle path
- Main roads
- 7.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 18.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 22% descending · 55% flat
- Longest descent
- 3.6 km from 32.1 km, dropping 103 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 35 km, from 0 km to 35 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmMaxwell Motors · petrol station · 300 m off route
- 0.1 kmSimon Porteous Cycles · bike shop · 260 m off route
- 0.3 kmSeasons · café · 250 m off route
- 0.3 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 250 m off route
- 0.3 kmBoots · pharmacy · 250 m off route
- 35 kmThe Topiary Restarant · café · 360 m off route
- 35.7 kmLidl · supermarket · 240 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.3 km — Junction Pool Viewpoint (viewpoint)
- 5.8 km — Roxburgh Train Station (archaeological site)
- 18.4 km — Nisbet Church (ruins)
- 22.8 km — Ormiston Castle (site of) (archaeological site)
- 34 km — Tumulus (archaeological site)
At the start and finish
- Simon Porteous Cycles · bike shop · 310 m
- Seasons · café · 430 m
- Co-op Food · supermarket · 440 m
- Granny Jean's Home Bakery · bakery · 430 m
- The Dessert Diva · bakery · 400 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 2 h 33 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–19 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 7.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 18.8 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 34.7 km longest stretch without café, shop or water