Road · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 2 · Gallovidian Gravel (part)Stage 2 →
New Abbey to Creetown
A hilly 103 km mixed-surface cycling route from New Abbey, Dumfries and Galloway to Creetown through Southwick, Bogknowe and Sandyhills, with 1,378 m of climbing. The first 28 km has no café, shop or water. Mixed surface: 56% is mapped as paved and 44% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 103 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,378 m
- Riding time
- 7 h 21 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 28 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- New Abbey → Creetown
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,378 m
- 103 km
Route description
- New Abbey
- Southwick
- Bogknowe
- Sandyhills
- Rockcliffe
- Kippford
- Little Richorn
- Castle Douglas
- Laurieston
- Creetown
Starting at New Abbey, the route heads out and soon begins a 6.9 km climb of 292 m averaging 4.2% gradient, reaching its highest point at 326 m around 8.9 km. The road surface is a mix of 56% paved and 44% gravel or unpaved surfaces. The roads include 41 km on tracks, 33.6 km on minor roads, 18.2 km on main roads, 4.3 km quiet streets, and 2.2 km cycle paths. Notably, there are 18.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane and 13 km of roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 326 m, 8.9 km in.
- A 5.6 km descent dropping 254 m.
Highlights
- Climb to 326 m peak near Cuil Hill
- Passing Sweetheart Abbey at start
- Long descent over 5.6 km near end
- Creetown Stores convenience at finish
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 2 km | 6.9 km · 292 m · 4.2 % · max 8.1 % | 326 m |
| Unnamed climb | 34.8 km | 3.3 km · 86 m · 2.7 % · max 5 % | 101 m |
| Unnamed climb | 47.1 km | 1.2 km · 51 m · 4.5 % · max 7 % | 73 m |
| Unnamed climb | 65.9 km | 4.5 km · 125 m · 2.8 % · max 5.6 % | 194 m |
| Unnamed climb | 76.5 km | 1.8 km · 66 m · 3.8 % · max 5.7 % | 263 m |
| Unnamed climb | 85.9 km | 3.3 km · 116 m · 3.6 % · max 7.3 % | 133 m |
| Unnamed climb | 90.9 km | 3.2 km · 167 m · 5.3 % · max 9.8 % | 272 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 18.2 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 41% track · 34% minor road · 18% main road · 4% quiet street · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 18.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 13 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Corse of Slakes Road (8 km), B793 (5 km), A710 (4 km), C13s (3 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 56% is mapped as paved and 44% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 32% climbing · 28% descending · 40% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.3 km over 5% · 1.1 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.1% at 95.3 km
- Longest descent
- 5.6 km from 97.3 km, dropping 254 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 28 km, from the start. Along the route: 31 cafés and restaurants, 9 shops, 1 water point, 2 petrol stations, 9 public toilets and 6 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.2 kmNew Abbey Tearooms · café · on the route
- 0.2 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 28.4 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 30.7 kmRepair stand · 490 m off route
- 34.8 kmThe Ark · café · on the route
- 35.2 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 43.7 kmMPG Cycles · bike shop · 320 m off route
- 43.9 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 44.1 kmEsso · petrol station · on the route
- 54.6 kmTesco · supermarket · 100 m off route
- 54.8 kmCrown Filling Station · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 54.9 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 55.2 kmCastle Douglas Cycle Centre · bike shop · 60 m off route
- 66.3 kmCafé · 70 m off route
- 84.8 kmWheels of Fleet · bike shop · 80 m off route
- 84.9 kmSpar · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 84.9 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 40 m off route
- 99.5 kmPub · on the route
Worth a stop
- 0.2 km — Sweetheart Abbey (attraction)
- 17.3 km — The Brough, Motte (archaeological site)
- 29.5 km — Crannog (archaeological site)
- 34.3 km — Muckle (viewpoint)
- 59.6 km — Roman Fort (archaeological site)
- 87.3 km — Anwoth Old Kirk (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- Creetown Caravan Park · campsite · 240 m from the finish
- Barholm Accomodation · hotel · 280 m from the finish
- Castle Cary Holiday Park · campsite · 1.1 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- New Abbey Tearooms (190 m)
At the finish
- Shops
- Creetown Stores (210 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water for 27.5 km from 0.2 km to 27.7 km
- 18.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 13 km on roads with speed 80 km/h or more
- 44% gravel or unpaved sections
