Newcastleton to Peebles
- 85 km
- 1,482 m
- Hard
- Mixed
Elevation profile
- 1,482 m
- 85 km
Route overview
Designed for experienced cyclists prepared for a long route with significant climbing and mixed surfaces.
Stage 1 of 2 of the Great North Trail (Scottish Borders): 85.0 km from Newcastleton to Peebles with 1482 m of climbing, on the signed route.
This 85km point-to-point route starts at Newcastleton and passes Steele Road at 6.7km, Riccarton Junction and Leysburnfoot near 12.5km, then Shankend at 22.4km. The ride continues through Stobs, Newmill, Colislinn, Flex, and Greenbraehead before reaching Hawick at 34.2km. Beyond Hawick, it goes past Ashkirk, Wollrig, Broadmeadows, and Yarrowford, then Traquair and Kirkhouse before finishing at Peebles at 82.3km. The climbing totals 1482m with major ascents like the start climb of 1.1km at 5.3% average gradient, and steeper climbs later such as a 5.3km section at 6.3% from 57.4km and a 4.4km climb at 7.4% from 69.6km. The route reaches a maximum elevation near 520m around 75.7km. The profile shows 34% climbing, 29% descending, and 37% flat, with up to 10.9km of sustained gradients over 5%. Surface varies with 41% paved roads, 54% gravel or unpaved, including 33.1km of track and 15.3km of path, plus some minor roads and quiet streets. Main road sections total 7.6km, all without cycle lanes. Some roads have speed limits over 80km/h for 15.9km. A Sainsbury's supermarket and petrol station lie near 34km for refuelling, as well as several pubs and bakeries near 33.5km, 44.2km and at the finish in Peebles. The longest stretch without cafe, shop or water is 33.4km from the start.
Highlights
- Climb from Newcastleton with 5.3% average gradient
- Pass beneath Shankend Hill (372m) at 21.2km
- Steep 5.3km climb at 6.3% from 57.4km
- Peak elevation around 520m near 75.7km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 0 km | 1.1 km | 59 m | 5.3 % | 5.8 % | 454 m |
| — | 7.2 km | 2.3 km | 46 m | 2 % | 4.3 % | 225 m |
| — | 15.7 km | 1.4 km | 78 m | 5.5 % | 9 % | 383 m |
| — | 34.1 km | 2.9 km | 136 m | 4.7 % | 8 % | 239 m |
| — | 37.9 km | 1.5 km | 60 m | 3.9 % | 4.8 % | 297 m |
| — | 43.9 km | 4.1 km | 157 m | 3.9 % | 5.7 % | 337 m |
| — | 52.6 km | 2.2 km | 43 m | 2 % | 3.9 % | 173 m |
| — | 57.4 km | 5.3 km | 329 m | 6.3 % | 13.7 % | 494 m |
| — | 69.6 km | 4.4 km | 329 m | 7.4 % | 16.2 % | 508 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 40% track · 19% path · 18% minor road · 13% quiet street
- Main roads
- 7.6 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
- B6399 (5 km)
- Surface
- 41% paved · 54% gravel or unpaved
- Gradient
- 34% climbing · 29% descending · 37% flat
- Steep sections
- 10.9 km over 5% · 3.7 km over 8% · 1.4 km over 10%
- Longest descent
- 5.4 km from 17.6 km, dropping 158 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 33 km, from 0 km to 33 km.
Food, water and shops
- 12.8 kmToilets · 150 m off route
- 33.5 kmG Harrow & Son Homebakery · bakery · 50 m off route
- 33.5 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 34 kmHawick Community Hospital · hospital · 120 m off route
- 34.4 kmSainsbury's · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 34.6 kmSainsbury's · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 34.8 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 200 m off route
- 34.8 kmTeri Bikes · bike shop · 320 m off route
- 44.2 kmSmiddy · pub · on the route
- 67.7 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 81.4 kmGlen Road Stores · convenience store · on the route
- 81.9 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 220 m off route
- 81.9 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 82.3 kmThe Fat Batard · bakery · 240 m off route
- 82.3 kmBspoke Cycles · bike shop · 390 m off route
- 82.3 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · 210 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 15.9 km — Whitrope Siding (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 15.9 km — Whitrope Heritage Centre (attraction)
- 26.5 km — Stobs Castle (castle)
- 34.3 km — The Borders Distillery (attraction)
- 56.4 km — Newark Castle (castle)
- 62.6 km — Hare Law (peak, 510 m)
- 75.9 km — Kirkhope Law (peak, 535 m)
At the finish
- The Bridge Inn · pub · 120 m
- Peebles Chinese Takeaway · restaurant · 60 m
- Ozkan's Grill · fast food · 70 m
- The Oven Door Tearoom · café · 190 m
- The Fat Batard · bakery · 240 m
Stay after this ride
- Neidpath Inn · hotel · 120 m from the finish
- Lindores Guest House · guest house · 160 m from the finish
- Tontine Hotel · hotel · 180 m from the finish
- Dilkusha House · guest house · 420 m from the finish
- Kingsmuir House · guest house · 740 m from the finish
Practical information
- Mixed
- Point to point
- 7 h 05 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 33.4 km without café, shop or water from start
- 7.6 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 15.9 km on roads with 80 km/h or more
- 54% gravel or unpaved surface