Road · United Kingdom
Oxnam Loop
A hilly 19 km road cycling loop from Oxnam, Scottish Borders through Millheugh, Pleasants and Thickside, with 260 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 19.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 260 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 22 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- None mapped
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Oxnam
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 260 m
- 19 km
Route description
- Oxnam
- Millheugh
- Pleasants
- Thickside
- Jedburgh
- Howden
- Dolphinston
- Newbigging Bush
- Newbigging Birks
- Oxnam
The Oxnam Loop starts and finishes in Oxnam, passing through Millheugh, Pleasants, Thickside, Jedburgh, Howden, Dolphinston, Newbigging Bush, Newbigging Birks, Oxnam Row, Oxnam Cottage and Oxnam Neuk. The route is a 19.2 km loop predominantly on minor roads (97%) with 98% paved surface and only 2% gravel or unpaved. It crosses beneath Galla Knowe early on at 0.3 km.
Climbing is spread across three main ascents: the first from 1.5 km lasting 1.9 km with 77 m gain at an average gradient of 4.1%; a second climb from 7.3 km over 2.2 km gaining 58 m at 2.6% average; and a longer climb from 10.8 km covering 2.4 km with 93 m gain at 3.8% average. The highest point of 223 m is reached at 13.2 km. The route features 33% climbing, 35% descending and 32% flat sections, with the longest descent running 3.3 km from 15.1 km, dropping 75 m.
Riders should note there are no cafes, shops, water, toilets, bike shops or petrol stations along the entire route, with a 19.1 km stretch lacking these facilities from start to approximately 19.1 km. Two off-route attractions lie near the route: Pleasants archaeological site 185 m from km 1.8 and Capon Tree attraction 384 m from km 7.9.
Highlights
- Pleasants archaeological site near km 1.8
- Capon Tree attraction near km 7.9
- Highest point at 223 m near km 13.2
- Longest descent 3.3 km from 15.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 1.5 km | 1.9 km · 77 m · 4.1 % · max 7.1 % | 192 m |
| Unnamed climb | 7.3 km | 2.2 km · 58 m · 2.6 % · max 4.9 % | 192 m |
| Unnamed climb | 10.8 km | 2.4 km · 93 m · 3.8 % · max 6.5 % | 223 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 97% minor road · 3% other roads and tracks
- Fast roads
- 9.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 33% climbing · 35% descending · 32% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.8 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 8.1% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 3.3 km from 15.1 km, dropping 75 m
Food, water and services
No café, shop or water point is mapped along the route - carry everything you need.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 5.3 kmJedburgh Pharmacy · pharmacy · 670 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.8 km — Pleasants, Settlement (archaeological site)
- 7.9 km — Capon Tree (attraction)
Know before you go
- 19.1 km with no café, shop, water or toilets
- 9.8 km on fast roads (80 km/h or more)
- 2% gravel or unpaved surface