Kelso Red Route
- 16 km
- 115 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 115 m
- 16 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders looking for a short loop with moderate climbing and some main road sections.
Kelso Red Route is a 15.9 km loop ride near Linton in the Scottish Borders with 115 m climbing.
This 15.9 km loop starts and finishes at Linton, passing Burnfoot early at 0.2 km, then Linton Mill and Linton itself before heading through Linton Downs and Bankhead. The main climb begins at 1.9 km, lasting 1.8 km with a gain of 64 m at an average gradient of 3.6%, reaching a top height of 169 m. The highest point on the route is at 4.9 km at 172 m. The surface is mostly paved (97%) with a short 3% track section. The ride uses a mixture of main roads (52%) and minor roads (45%), with 8.3 km on main roads all without cycle lanes. Also, 9.7 km are on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest named road is the B6401 which is used for 5 km. There is a long 10.3 km stretch without a café, shop, or water from the start. At 10.3 km near Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm, there is a pub (The Plough Hotel) and a convenience store (Yetholm Village Shop), along with public toilets close by. The route passes near hills including Thirlestane Hill at 7.8 km, Yetholm Law at 11.6 km, and Highside at 13.9 km. Two archaeological sites lie nearby at 0.9 and 7.6 km.
Highlights
- Climb from 1.9 to 3.7 km gaining 64 m
- Highest point 172 m at 4.9 km
- Longest stretch without café or shop is 10.3 km
- Passes near Thirlestane Hill (237 m) and Yetholm Law (232 m)
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1.9 km | 1.8 km | 64 m | 3.6 % | 4.9 % | 169 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 52% main road · 45% minor road · 3% track
- Main roads
- 8.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 9.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B6401 (5 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 23% descending · 55% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 10.3 kmThe Plough Hotel · pub · on the route
- 10.3 kmYetholm Village Shop · convenience store · 50 m off route
- 10.4 kmToilets · 30 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.9 km — Site of Linton Tower (archaeological site)
- 7.6 km — Thirlestane Tower (Site of) (archaeological site)
Practical information
- Paved
- Loop
- 1 h 08 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–19 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 8.3 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 9.7 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- Long 10.3 km stretch without café, shop, or water
- Short steep 500 m section at 6.1% gradient