Ladykirk to Hawick
- 105 km
- 969 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 969 m
- 105 km
Route overview
Riders prepared for a long ride with moderate climbing over varied road types.
Stage 1 of 4 of the Border Loop: 104.5 km from Ladykirk to Hawick with 969 m of climbing, on the signed route.
This 104.5 km route starts at Ladykirk near Norham, then passes through numerous small settlements including Kelso and Kirk Yetholm before finishing in Hawick. The ride is predominantly on paved surfaces (97%), with minor gravel sections (2%) and includes a mix of road types: 62% minor roads, 31% main roads, plus some quiet streets and tracks. Key climbs include a 5.5 km segment starting at 31 km climbing 143 m, and six more smaller hills spread through the latter part of the route. The highest point is reached at 79.2 km, at 302 m elevation. The route features long stretches without amenities: from 43.3 km to 86.1 km there is no café, shop, or water for 42.8 km. However, a few stops near the town of Kelso offer shops, cycle shops, and cafés just off route around the 29-30 km mark. Toilets can be found near Kelso, Yetholm, and Hawick. The climb profiles include moderate average gradients mostly under 4%, with maximum gradients up to 7.4%. Some sections lie nearby hills and peaks such as Hirsel Law (96 m at 10.6 km), Ednam Hill (86 m at 25.7 km), and Yetholm Law (232 m at 44.3 km).
Highlights
- Corbet Tower castle near 50 km
- Thirlestane Tower archaeological site near 41 km
- Hirsel Law peak at 10.6 km
- Yetholm Law peak at 44.3 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 31 km | 5.5 km | 143 m | 2.6 % | 7.4 % | 186 m |
| — | 54.6 km | 2.1 km | 46 m | 2.2 % | 3.4 % | 188 m |
| — | 59.7 km | 1.6 km | 41 m | 2.6 % | 6.3 % | 241 m |
| — | 68.2 km | 2.9 km | 57 m | 2 % | 2.8 % | 198 m |
| — | 73.7 km | 5.2 km | 163 m | 3.1 % | 4.9 % | 301 m |
| — | 85.9 km | 2 km | 83 m | 4.1 % | 6.2 % | 236 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 62% minor road · 31% main road · 3% quiet street · 1% track · 1% unmapped
- Main roads
- 32.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 59.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B6399 (8 km), A6088 (6 km), B6352 (5 km), B6401 (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 25% climbing · 18% descending · 57% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.3 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6% at 62.1 km
- Longest descent
- 4 km from 95.7 km, dropping 95 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 43 km, from 43 km to 86 km.
Food, water and shops
- 29.1 kmCaroline's Coffee Shop · café · on the route
- 29.2 kmToilets · on the route
- 29.3 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 150 m off route
- 29.3 kmBoots · pharmacy · 40 m off route
- 29.4 kmSimon Porteous Cycles · bike shop · on the route
- 30.2 kmMaxwell Motors · petrol station · on the route
- 41.3 kmSpring · 70 m off route
- 43.3 kmThe Plough Hotel · pub · on the route
- 43.3 kmYetholm Village Shop · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 43.3 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 86.1 kmHorse and Hound · pub · 30 m off route
- 101.9 kmToilets · 150 m off route
- 102.1 kmDamascus Drum · café · 80 m off route
- 102.1 kmHawick Market · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 102.1 kmHawick Cycles · bike shop · 450 m off route
- 102.1 kmDelooze Hearing · clinic · 130 m off route
Worth a stop
- 18.8 km — St Mary's Convent (ruins)
- 26.7 km — Thomson Monument (viewpoint)
- 30.1 km — Bridgend Park Viewpoint (viewpoint)
- 40.9 km — Thirlestane Tower (Site of) (archaeological site)
- 50.2 km — Corbet Tower (castle)
- 95.7 km — Denholm Hill (archaeological site)
At the finish
- Damascus Drum · café · 80 m
- Espresso Library · café · 90 m
- G Harrow & Son Homebakery · bakery · 140 m
- Exchange Bar · pub · 80 m
- New Lam Wah 新南华 · restaurant · 90 m
Stay after this ride
- Log Burner Apartment · apartment · 110 m from the finish
- Teviotside Guest House · guest house · 660 m from the finish
- Balcary House Hotel · hotel · 770 m from the finish
- Old Mansfield Bar · apartment · 980 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 7 h 28 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 17–19 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 42.8 km without café, shop or water from 43.3 km to 86.1 km
- 32.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 59.1 km on roads with posted limits 80 km/h or more
- 2% gravel or unpaved surface