Road · United Kingdom
Manor Valley
A hilly 17 km road cycling route from Peebles, Scottish Borders through Kirkton and Castlehill, with 234 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 16.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 234 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 12 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 15 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Peebles
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 234 m
- 17 km
Route description
- Peebles
- Kirkton
- Castlehill
The route starts near Peebles and passes through Kirkton at 6.2 km and Castlehill at 9.3 km before finishing at Peebles at 16.7 km. The road is mostly paved (98%) and mainly minor roads (85%), with 14% on quiet streets. There is a short 1.7 km section on a fast road with a speed limit of 80 km/h or more.
Climbing begins shortly after 1.5 km from the start at the low point of 163 m. The first climb is 1.8 km long starting at 1.6 km, rising 80 m at an average gradient of 4.6%, reaching 245 m elevation. The highest point of the ride is at 16.7 km at 323 m, reached after a 2.3 km climb from 14.4 km averaging 2.3% gradient. The route also has descending sections totalling 16% of the way and some steep sections with the steepest 500 m at 10.9%.
Facilities are concentrated near the start around Peebles including a bakery, convenience store, drinking water, toilets, and a bike shop all within about half a kilometre off route. After 1.3 km there are no cafés, shops or water for 15.4 km. Peaks near the route include Hunt Hill at 327 m near 6.9 km and Wood Hill at 340 m near 11.8 km.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 323 m, 16.7 km in.
Highlights
- Climb of 1.8 km at 4.6% gradient from km 1.6
- Highest point at 323 m reached at 16.7 km
- Peaks near route: Hunt Hill (327 m), Wood Hill (340 m)
- 15.4 km without café or shop after km 1.3
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 1.6 km | 1.8 km · 80 m · 4.6 % · max 6.8 % | 245 m |
| Unnamed climb | 14.4 km | 2.3 km · 52 m · 2.3 % · max 3 % | 323 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 85% minor road · 14% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Fast roads
- 1.7 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
- 47% climbing · 16% descending · 37% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.8 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 10.9% at 0 km
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 15 km, from km 1 to 17. Along the route: 19 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 1 water point, 2 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.8 kmGlen Road Stores · convenience store · 110 m off route
- 1.2 kmThe Fat Batard · bakery · 280 m off route
- 1.2 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 220 m off route
- 1.2 kmToilets · on the route
- 1.2 kmBspoke Cycles · bike shop · 430 m off route
- 1.2 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · 320 m off route
Start and access
At the start
- Shops
- Glen Road Stores (700 m)
Know before you go
- 15.4 km without café, shop or water after 1.3 km
- 1.7 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limit
- Some gravel or unpaved road: 2%
