Gravel · From the map · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 194
- 25 km
- 79 m
- Easy
- Gravel
Elevation profile
- 79 m
- 25 km
Route overview
This ride suits cyclists looking for a 25 km route with low climbing on mixed gravel surfaces and mostly cycle paths.
National Cycle Route 194 runs 25 km from Maud to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire on mostly cycle paths and gravel surfaces.
Starting at Maud (0 km), the route heads northeast passing through Strichen at 8.9 km and Spillarsford at 17.5 km before reaching Fraserburgh at 25.3 km. The path lies mostly on the Formatine and Buchan Way. The route is largely flat or gently descending, with a total elevation gain of 79 m and a highest point of 106 m at 6 km. Climbing is minor, with only 0.1 km above 5% gradient. Almost the entire route (97%) is on cycle paths, but most surfaces (95%) are on gravel or unpaved tracks. The route includes 24.7 km of cycle path, offering ease of navigation away from main roads. There is a longest descent of 3.8 km starting at 13.6 km with a 54 m drop. Facilities include cafés at the start (Platform 5 Café) and end (Tiger Hill Café), with a cafe and convenience store at Strichen. However, there is a long 15.8 km stretch between 8.9 km and 24.7 km without cafés, shops, or water. Toilets are at Maud, and water is available near Fraserburgh.
Highlights
- Formatine and Buchan Way cycle path
- Strichen Stone Circle near 7.8 km
- Knockmomean peak near 20.7 km
- Long 3.8 km descent from 13.6 km
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 97% cycle path
- Cycle paths
- 24.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Formatine and Buchan Way (24 km)
- Surface
- 4% paved · 95% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 7% climbing · 18% descending · 75% flat
- Longest descent
- 3.8 km from 13.6 km, dropping 54 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 16 km, from 9 km to 25 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmPlatform 5 Cafe & Takeaway · café · 60 m off route
- 0 kmNisa Local · convenience store · 190 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 8.8 kmThe Lodge at Strichen · café · 60 m off route
- 8.9 kmCo-Op · convenience store · 100 m off route
- 9 kmWebsters Pharmacy · pharmacy · 230 m off route
- 24.8 kmLidl · supermarket · 250 m off route
- 24.9 kmPetrol station · 260 m off route
- 25.1 kmTiger Hill Cafe · café · on the route
- 25.1 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · on the route
- 25.3 kmBoots · pharmacy · 740 m off route
Worth a stop
- 7.8 km — Strichen Stone Circle (archaeological site)
- 17.1 km — Knowsie (ruins)
- 20.7 km — Knockmomean (peak)
- 25.3 km — Saltoun Place Fountain (monument)
At the start
- Platform 5 Cafe & Takeaway · café · 60 m
- Platform 5 · café · 60 m
- Station Hotel Maud · pub · 100 m
- Nisa Local · convenience store · 190 m
At the finish
- Tiger Hill Cafe · café · 250 m
- Lidl · supermarket · 690 m
- Tesco · supermarket · 790 m
- Boots · pharmacy · 740 m
Stay after this ride
- The Saltoun Inn · hotel · 830 m from the finish
- Findlay's · hotel · 1.8 km from the finish
Practical information
- Gravel
- Point to point
- 2 h 07 min
- Jul to Aug — daily highs of 17 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 15.8 km with no café, shop or water from 8.9 km to 24.7 km
- 95% gravel or unpaved surface
- Only 0.1 km above 5% gradient but includes a 3.8 km descent