National Cycle Route 1: Berwick-Upon-Tweed to Innerleithen
- 34 km
- 256 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 256 m
- 34 km
Route overview
Suitable for cyclists comfortable with moderate climbs over 33.7 km distance.
National Cycle Route 1 from Newtown St Boswells to Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, 33.7 km with 256 m elevation gain.
The route starts at Holmes Farm near Newtown St Boswells and travels through several places including Melrose, Tweedbank, and Walkerburn before finishing at Innerleithen. The profile features two main climbs: the first from km 1 to 2.2 rises 47 m at an average gradient of 4.1%, and another climb from km 12.9 to 14.3 with a gain of 41 m at 3% average gradient. The highest point is at 182 m near km 23.8, and the lowest is 89 m near km 5.2. Around 21% of the route is climbing, 18% descending, and 60% flat, with only 0.4 km over 5% gradient and 0.1 km over 8%. Most surfaces (89%) are paved, with 10% gravel or unpaved, and 1% unmapped. Road types include 15.2 km minor roads, 6.6 km main roads, 5.4 km cycle paths, 3.1 km tracks, 1.9 km quiet streets, and 1.1 km paths. Main roads without cycle lanes total 6.8 km, and 14.5 km is on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest named road covered is the B7060 for 3.2 km. Services at the start include the Dryburgh Arms pub and a Co-op Food store. Food and drink options along the route include the Twelve Triangles bakery near Melrose and Ochiltree's restaurant near Newstead. There is a long 18.4 km stretch without café, shop, or water from km 11.6 to 30. Water points are available at km 5.3, 11.6, and 32.4. Bicycle shops are at Melrose and Innerleithen, and petrol stations near km 1.2 and 7.5. A railway station for bailout is near Tweedbank at km 8.1.
Highlights
- Start near Newtown St Boswells
- Passes Melrose and Tweedbank
- Climbs with max gradient 5.3%
- Finish at Innerleithen with cafes and bike shop
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1 km | 1.2 km | 47 m | 4.1 % | 5.3 % | 158 m |
| — | 12.9 km | 1.4 km | 41 m | 3 % | 4.2 % | 142 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 45% minor road · 20% main road · 16% cycle path · 9% track
- Main roads
- 6.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 14.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 5.4 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B7060 (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 21% climbing · 18% descending · 60% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.2 km from 2.9 km, dropping 61 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 18 km, from 12 km to 30 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0.6 kmDryburgh Arms · pub · on the route
- 1.2 kmPetrol station · 100 m off route
- 5 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 5 kmHardies Bikes · bike shop · 80 m off route
- 5 kmBoots · pharmacy · on the route
- 5.1 kmTwelve Triangles · bakery · on the route
- 5.2 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 5.3 kmWater point · 140 m off route
- 7.5 kmBP MFG Tweedbank Service Station · petrol station · 170 m off route
- 10.1 kmOchiltree's · restaurant · 340 m off route
- 11.6 kmWater tap · 40 m off route
- 30.3 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 32.4 kmDrinking water · 30 m off route
- 33.5 kmLoulabelles · café · 60 m off route
- 33.5 kmDaymart · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 33.5 kmThe Bike Shop · bike shop · on the route
- 33.5 kmInnerleithen Pharmacy · pharmacy · 80 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 8.1 km — Tweedbank (station), 50 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Scottish Borders Donkey Sanctuary (attraction)
- 5 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
- 10.2 km — Home of Sir Walter Scott (attraction)
- 14.3 km — Rink Hill (peak)
At the start
- Dryburgh Arms · pub · 560 m
- Co-op Food · convenience store · 640 m
At the finish
- The Bike Shop · bike shop · 20 m
- Loulabelles · café · 60 m
- Out Out · pub · 80 m
- The Sitooterie · café · 150 m
- Innerleithen Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m
Stay after this ride
- Caddon View · hotel · 160 m from the finish
- Studio @ Pirn Haugh · apartment · 500 m from the finish
- Cleikum Mill Lodge · apartment · 300 m from the finish
- Tweedside Caravan Park · campsite · 660 m from the finish
- Traquair Arms Hotel · hotel · 350 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 2 h 24 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 18.4 km without café, shop or water between 11.6 km and 30 km
- 6.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 14.5 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- About 10% gravel or unpaved surfaces