Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 5 of 7 · EuroVelo 12 from Edinburgh← Stage 4Stage 6 →
Newmachar to Turriff
A rolling 60 km road cycling route from Newmachar, Aberdeenshire to Turriff through Tillygreig, Millbank and Denend, with 373 m of climbing. There is a 21 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 17–37).
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 60.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 373 m
- Riding time
- 4 h 18 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 21 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Newmachar → Turriff
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 373 m
- 60 km
Route description
- Newmachar
- Tillygreig
- Millbank
- Denend
- Udny Green
- Cairnfechel
- Tanglandford
- Quilquox
- Maud
- Turriff
The ride starts in Newmachar and travels north-east through several small places including Tillygreig, Corthiemuir, Millbank, and Tarves at 16.5 km. The early part features the first climb starting at 0.6 km with 47 m gain over 1.1 km averaging 4.4% gradient, reaching a height of 168 m. The second climb begins at 40.5 km with a gentle 47 m gain over 2.1 km. The route follows mostly minor roads (72%) with 12% on main roads and around 12% on cycle paths. Main roads ridden cover 7.4 km without cycle lanes, and 15.5 km are on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
Facilities to refuel or rest are concentrated around places such as Eat on the Green restaurant near Udny Green (8.1 km), The Murly Tuck Café in Tarves at 16.5 km, Platform 5 café at 37.1 km, Commercial Hotel pub in Cuminestown at 50.9 km, and a bakery near the finish in Turriff. Shops and toilets are available in Tarves, Auchnagatt, Cuminestown, and Turriff. The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 20.6 km between 16.5 km and 37.1 km. The surface is predominantly paved (88%), with 12% gravel or unpaved sections. The elevation ranges from 21 m at 22.2 km to 179 m at 45 km, with 18% of the route climbing and 19% descending.
Highlights
- Climb near start gaining 47 m at 4.4%
- Longest descent of 3.3 km dropping 60 m
- Eat on the Green restaurant at 8.1 km
- Tarves at 16.5 km with café and shop
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.6 km | 1.1 km · 47 m · 4.4 % · max 6.4 % | 168 m |
| Unnamed climb | 40.5 km | 2.1 km · 47 m · 2.2 % · max 3.4 % | 142 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 7.4 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 72% minor road · 12% main road · 12% cycle path · 3% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 7.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 15.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Formatine and Buchan Way (7 km), B9170 (6 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 88% is mapped as paved, 12% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 18% climbing · 19% descending · 62% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.6 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 8.8% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 3.3 km from 48.2 km, dropping 60 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 21 km, from km 17 to 37. Along the route: 15 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops, 5 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmNewmachar Pharmacy · pharmacy · 600 m off route
- 8.1 kmEat on the Green · restaurant · 70 m off route
- 16.3 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 16.3 kmTarves Pharmacy · pharmacy · 30 m off route
- 16.4 kmAdam Duthie & Co · convenience store · on the route
- 16.5 kmThe Murly Tuck Cafe · café · on the route
- 30.2 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 37.1 kmPlatform 5 · café · 30 m off route
- 37.1 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 37.2 kmNisa Local · convenience store · on the route
- 50.6 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 50.8 kmCostcutter · convenience store · on the route
- 50.9 kmCommercial Hotel · pub · on the route
- 59.7 kmCo-op · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 59.8 kmJ.G. Ross · bakery · 60 m off route
- 59.8 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 59.8 kmBoots Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
Worth a stop
- 20.2 km — Terminal Monument (monument)
Stay after this ride
- The Crown Inn · hotel · 300 m from the finish
- Royal Oak Hotel · hotel · 460 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- J.G. Ross (70 m), A. McKenzie (90 m), Milanos (40 m)
- Shops
- Co-op (150 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- Boots Pharmacy (80 m), Strachan Pharmacy (40 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café or shop for 20.6 km from 16.5 km to 37.1 km
- 7.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 15.5 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limits
- 12% gravel or unpaved surface