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Peebles to Edinburgh

Peebles, Scottish Borders, United KingdomGravel

Signed route The waymarked Great North Trail (Scottish Borders) (Cycling UK), traced from OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Stage 2 of 2 of the Great North Trail (Scottish Borders). Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

54 km
Distance
976 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Mixed
Surface
Download GPXMap
Loganlea Reservoir in the Pentland Hills.
Photo: Klaus with K · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
976 m
Distance
54 km
0100200300400500m0 km204054 km421 m · highest, at 29.9 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for riders prepared for a challenging 54 km ride with nearly 1000 m climbing on mixed surfaces.

Stage 2 of 2 of the Great North Trail (Scottish Borders): 53.7 km from Peebles to Edinburgh with 976 m of climbing, on the signed route.

Starting in Peebles, the route heads northeast passing Romanno Bridge at 14.3 km and West Linton at 19 km. The first half concentrates 68% of the total elevation gain, featuring multiple climbs including a steep 1.8 km section with an average 7.4% gradient early on. The terrain varies with 38% on tracks, 24% on quiet streets, and 19% on paths; paved sections account for 41% while gravel or unpaved surfaces cover 58%.

Highlights

  • Climbing near The Mount at 26.3 km
  • Passing Hog Knowe peak at 5.5 km
  • Long 3.7 km descent starting at 48.2 km
  • Bavelaw Castle near 34.1 km

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Romanno Bridge 14.3 km
  2. West Linton 19 km
  3. Cargarrie Lea Hazlieburn 22.3 km
  4. Carlops 23.8 km
  5. Kirkton 39.8 km
  6. Castlelaw 42.3 km
  7. Torphin 48.7 km
  8. Bonaly 50 km
  9. Colinton 50.7 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—0.9 km1.8 km130 m7.4 %12.3 %303 m
—5.9 km2.5 km141 m5.7 %13.3 %400 m
—11.5 km1.3 km70 m5.5 %7.7 %349 m
—18.7 km2.8 km93 m3.3 %7 %327 m
—23.6 km2 km80 m4 %6.5 %367 m
—26.9 km1.9 km79 m4.1 %7.5 %422 m
—41.3 km2.7 km197 m7.4 %10.5 %420 m
—46 km0.8 km58 m7.1 %11.6 %293 m

High point 422 m at 28.9 km; low point 79 m. Passes beneath Hamilton Hill, Hog Knowe, Kilrubie Hill.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
38% track · 24% quiet street · 19% path · 7% minor road
Main roads
3.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
4.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
1.9 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
B7059 (3 km)
Surface
41% paved · 58% gravel or unpaved
Gradient
32% climbing · 37% descending · 31% flat
Steep sections
7.3 km over 5% · 3.4 km over 8% · 2 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 11.8% at 8 km
Longest descent
3.7 km from 48.2 km, dropping 182 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 18 km, from 1 km to 19 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmThe Fat Batard · bakery · 240 m off route
  2. 0 kmToilets · 230 m off route
  3. 0 kmBspoke Cycles · bike shop · 390 m off route
  4. 0 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · 210 m off route
  5. 0.4 kmRosetta Road Store · convenience store · 40 m off route
  6. 1 kmWater tap · 50 m off route
  7. 18.9 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · on the route
  8. 18.9 kmToilets · on the route
  9. 19 kmWest Linton Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
  10. 19.1 kmThe Old Bakehouse · restaurant · on the route
  11. 23.8 kmAllan Ramsay Hotel · pub · 210 m off route
  12. 37.5 kmLoganlea Fishery · café · on the route
  13. 47.7 kmToilets · on the route
  14. 47.7 kmRepair stand · on the route
  15. 50.7 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · 210 m off route
  16. 50.7 kmColinton Village Pharmacy · pharmacy · 140 m off route
  17. 50.8 kmThe Swing Cafe · café · 150 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 52.2 km — Kingsknowe (station), 500 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 0.2 km — Cross Kirk (ruins)
  • 5.5 km — Hog Knowe (peak, 292 m)
  • 20.5 km — Stonypath Temporary Camp (archaeological site)
  • 34.1 km — Bavelaw Castle (castle)
  • 37.5 km — Howletts House (ruins)
  • 44.2 km — Fala Knowe (peak, 439 m)

At the start

  • The Bridge Inn · pub · 120 m
  • Peebles Chinese Takeaway · restaurant · 60 m
  • Ozkan's Grill · fast food · 70 m
  • The Oven Door Tearoom · café · 190 m
  • The Fat Batard · bakery · 240 m

At the finish

  • Kingsknowe · station · 500 m

Stay after this ride

  • Crosskeys Studios · apartment · 590 m from the finish
  • Bonaly Scout Centre · campsite · 2.7 km from the finish
  • Travelodge · hotel · 2.6 km from the finish
  • Dalmore Lodge · guest house · 2.6 km from the finish
  • Parkview · guest house · 2.6 km from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Mixed
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
4 h 29 min
Best months
Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest stretch without café or shop: 17.5 km from 1.4 to 18.9 km
  • 3.7 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 4.1 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
  • Steepest 500m gradient at 11.8% around 8 km

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

2 photographs from the road

Photo: Klaus with K · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Anthony O'Neil · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Tim Heaton · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Stage of

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