Mixed · United Kingdom
Stage 4 of 5 · National Byway (SW Scotland)← Stage 3Stage 5 →
Minnigaff to Girvan
A hilly 80 km road cycling route from Minnigaff, Dumfries and Galloway to Girvan through Glentrool Village, Upper Barr and Nether Barr, with 705 m of climbing. There is a 61 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 15–76).
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 80.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 705 m
- Riding time
- 5 h 43 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 61 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Minnigaff → Girvan
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 705 m
- 80 km
Route description
- Minnigaff
- Glentrool Village
- Upper Barr
- Nether Barr
- Barr
- Pinmore
- Poundland
- Lendalfoot
- Girvan
The route starts at Minnigaff and heads southeast passing through Glentrool Village at 15.7 km. The first climb of 3.1 km averaging 2.5% gradient begins there, reaching 182 m. Continuing after km 25.5, a longer climb of 5.3 km at 3.1% gradient gains 162 m reaching the highest point at 391 m near km 30.8, close to Craiglaigh Hill and Pinbreck Hill.
From about km 39, the route goes through several small places: Upper Barr, Nether Barr, Barr, Pinmore, Poundland, and Lendalfoot. The road surface is paved 99% of the time, mostly on minor roads (69%), with 21.2 km on main roads including the B734 and A714. There is one short stretch of gravel or unpaved track making 1% of the route. Climbs after km 56 are shorter: three climbs between 1.7 and 2.6 km with gradients around 2–3%. The route finishes in Girvan at 78.5 km, near several cafés, shops, and bike repair facilities.
The longest stretch without café, shop, or water runs from 14.7 km to 75.9 km, roughly 61 km. Facilities at start are unlisted but Girvan offers multiple food and drink options and a railway station for bailout.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 391 m, 30.8 km in.
Highlights
- Climb to 391 m near Craiglaigh Hill
- Passes Glentrool Village at 15.7 km
- Longest descent 4.5 km dropping 128 m from km 73
- Finishes at Girvan with various amenities
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 15.7 km | 3.1 km · 78 m · 2.5 % · max 4 % | 182 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.5 km | 5.3 km · 162 m · 3.1 % · max 6.4 % | 391 m |
| Unnamed climb | 56 km | 2.6 km · 74 m · 2.8 % · max 4 % | 126 m |
| Unnamed climb | 61.2 km | 2.1 km · 44 m · 2.1 % · max 3.6 % | 50 m |
| Unnamed climb | 65.7 km | 1.7 km · 44 m · 2.6 % · max 3.5 % | 138 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (21.4 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 69% minor road · 27% main road · 2% quiet street · 1% track · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 21.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 15.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B734 (12 km), A714 (8 km), Nic O the Balloch (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 19% descending · 57% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.6 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6% at 30.3 km
- Longest descent
- 4.5 km from 73 km, dropping 128 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 61 km, from km 15 to 76. Along the route: 15 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 3 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmCreebridge Mill · pharmacy · 730 m off route
- 14.7 kmGlentrool Visitor Centre · café · 90 m off route
- 14.7 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 78.5 kmMaly's Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 78.5 kmNisa Local · convenience store · 190 m off route
- 78.5 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 78.5 kmRepair stand · 320 m off route
- 78.5 kmBoots · pharmacy · 130 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 78.3 km — Girvan (station), 460 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.1 km — Minnigaff Motte (archaeological site)
- 60.4 km — Carleton Castle (castle)
- 75.4 km — Shalloch Hill (peak, 69 m)
Stay after this ride
- Woodland Bay Hotel · hotel · 3.1 km from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Maly's Cafe (50 m), Flynn's Boatyard (20 m), Mr Chips (50 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- Boots (130 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café or shop for 61.2 km from 14.7 to 75.9 km
- 21.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 15.9 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 0.8 km on gravel or unpaved track
