Paisley to Alloway
- 75 km
- 178 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 178 m
- 75 km
Route overview
Suitable for cyclists comfortable with a moderate distance and low climbing.
Stage 3 of 3 of the National Cycle Route 7 (Scotland section): 74.5 km from Paisley to Alloway with 178 m of climbing, on the signed route.
Starting in Paisley at 0 km near Saucel Hill, the route heads through places including Johnstone, Kilbarchan, and Lochwinnoch. Most climbing occurs in the first half (66% of 178 m total), with the highest point at 75 m near 26.6 km. The profile is predominantly flat (93%), with minimal steep gradients. The path surface is mainly paved (96%) with about 2% gravel or unpaved, and a few percent unmapped. The ride features a mix of road types: 60% cycle path, 21% minor roads, 11% quiet streets, 5% path, and small stretches on main roads or roads with cycle lanes. There are 2.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane, and 8.4 km on roads with limits of 80 km/h or more. Named roads include 9 km on the Dalry and North Johnstone rail trail, 3.7 km on NCN7, and 3.1 km on U32. Facilities along the route include cafés at various points like 0 km (Spoons Coffee House), 6.6 km (Starbucks), 14.9 km (Castle Semple Visitors Centre), 41.6 km (Small Talk), 54.1 km (Blueberry's Coffee Shop & Bakery), and 61.3 km (Mancini's Cafe). Shops such as Morrisons (6.2 km), Tesco (21 km), Asda (41.1 km), and Aldi (66.3 km) are available. Water taps and toilets are also present at several locations. Bailout stations include Paisley Canal, Howwood, Glengarnock, Kilwinning, Irvine, Barassie, Prestwick International Airport, and Newton-on-Ayr. The longest stretch without café, shop or water is 11.5 km from 22.6 to 34.1 km.
Highlights
- Dalry and North Johnstone rail trail for 9 km
- Highest point at 75 m near 26.6 km
- Passes historic ruins like Semple Collegiate Church
- Multiple cafés and shops along the route
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 60% cycle path · 21% minor road · 11% quiet street · 5% path
- Main roads
- 2.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 8.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 43.8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Dalry and North Johnstone rail trail (9 km), NCN7 (4 km), U32 (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 4% climbing · 3% descending · 93% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmSpoons Coffee House · café · 90 m off route
- 0 kmDooleys · bike shop · 220 m off route
- 6.2 kmMorrisons · supermarket · 80 m off route
- 6.6 kmStarbucks · café · 100 m off route
- 21 kmTesco · supermarket · 290 m off route
- 34.9 kmHome · pub · 160 m off route
- 40.2 kmIrvine Cycles · bike shop · 310 m off route
- 41.6 kmSmall Talk · café · 100 m off route
- 51.3 kmToilets · on the route
- 52.3 kmMorrisons · petrol station · 30 m off route
- 52.6 kmRejuvenation Clinic · clinic · 120 m off route
- 54.1 kmWater tap · on the route
- 60.7 kmACS Prestwick · bike shop · 70 m off route
- 60.7 kmBoots · pharmacy · 60 m off route
- 61.3 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · on the route
- 66.1 kmStobbs Extra · bakery · on the route
- 66.3 kmCarrick Cycles · bike shop · 80 m off route
- 68.8 kmToilets · 70 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Paisley Canal (station), 90 m off route
- 11.1 km — Howwood (station), 710 m off route
- 23.4 km — Glengarnock (station), 520 m off route
- 34.9 km — Kilwinning (station), 890 m off route
- 41.1 km — Irvine (station), 60 m off route
- 50.2 km — Barassie (station), 70 m off route
- 59.5 km — Prestwick International Airport (station), on the route
- 65.5 km — Newton-on-Ayr (station), 150 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Saucel Hill (peak, 41 m)
- 12.9 km — Semple Collegiate Church (ruins)
- 16.2 km — Barr Castle (castle)
- 22.5 km — Crannog (archaeological site)
- 34.9 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
- 63.1 km — Ruin of Lazar House (ruins)
At the start
- Paisley Canal · station · 90 m
- Spoons Coffee House · café · 90 m
- The Wellington · pub · 100 m
- Canal Station · restaurant · 130 m
- The_Afton · pub · 140 m
Stay after this ride
- Greenan Lodge · guest house · 730 m from the finish
- The Chestnuts · hotel · 3.0 km from the finish
- Blackburn Villa B&B · guest house · 3.4 km from the finish
- Savoy Park Hotel · hotel · 3.6 km from the finish
- Fairfield House Hotel · hotel · 3.8 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 5 h 19 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 11.5 km with no café, shop or water between km 22.6 and 34.1
- 2.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 8.4 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 2% gravel or unpaved surface