Gravel · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 196
A rolling 39 km mixed-surface cycling route from Broomhill, Midlothian through Ladywood, Auchendinny and Polton, with 164 m of climbing. 61% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane. Mixed surface: 64% is mapped as paved and 27% as gravel or unpaved and 8% has no surface data.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 38.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 164 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 45 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Broomhill
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 164 m
- 39 km
Route description
- Broomhill
- Ladywood
- Auchendinny
- Polton
- Newbattle
- Dalkeith
- Crossgatehall
- Ormiston
- Lempockwells
Starting at Broomhill near Penicuik, the route passes through several places including Kirkhill, Ladywood, Mauricewood, Auchendinny, and Rosewell. The ride continues onward to Polton, Hopefield, Bonnyrigg, and Newbattle before reaching Eskbank and Dalkeith, descending to the lowest point at 45 m at 14.4 km.
From Dalkeith, the route includes a notable climb starting at 17.5 km lasting 2.4 km with an elevation gain of 51 m and an average gradient of 2.2%, reaching a top height of 104 m. Beyond the climb, the route goes past Woodburn, Crossgatehall, Springfield Cottages, Cousland, and Ormiston. Then it continues through Pencaitland Railway Walk along cycle paths for 9.2 km, passing Pencaitland and Lempockwells, before finishing at East Saltoun.
The route comprises mainly paved surfaces (64%) with 27% gravel or unpaved. It includes 23.7 km on cycle paths and lanes, 8.8 km on minor roads, plus short sections on quiet streets, paths, and 0.7 km on main roads. Facilities include cafés at the start near Penicuik, a Starbucks and fast food at about 11.6-15.7 km, and cafés near 27 and 32.7 km. Convenience stores, a supermarket, and bike repair stands are also available, with a bail-out station at Eskbank.
Why ride this route?
- 61% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Climb of 51 m over 2.4 km from 17.5 km
- Pencaitland Railway Walk for 9.2 km
- Longest descent of 3.9 km down from 7.6 km
- Start near Penicuik at 172 m elevation
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 17.5 km | 2.4 km · 51 m · 2.2 % · max 4.7 % | 104 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 61% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 62% cycle path · 23% minor road · 9% quiet street · 3% path · 3% other roads and tracks
- Fast roads
- 5.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 23.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Pencaitland Railway Walk (9 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 64% is mapped as paved and 27% as gravel or unpaved and 8% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 13% climbing · 24% descending · 63% flat
- Longest descent
- 3.9 km from 7.6 km, dropping 74 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 38 cafés and restaurants, 15 shops, 1 petrol station and 4 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.1 kmGravity Bottleshop · café · 210 m off route
- 0.1 kmNewsboyz · convenience store · 190 m off route
- 0.2 kmRepair stand · 300 m off route
- 0.2 kmRowlands Pharmacy · pharmacy · 380 m off route
- 10.3 kmConvenience store · 30 m off route
- 11.4 kmMidlothian Community Hospital · hospital · 170 m off route
- 11.6 kmStarbucks · café · 50 m off route
- 11.7 kmTesco · petrol station · 170 m off route
- 15.6 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 15.7 kmBene's · fast food · 40 m off route
- 15.9 kmAldi · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 27 kmRosearista Coffee Shop · café · 50 m off route
- 32.7 kmThe Bothy · café · 160 m off route
- 32.7 kmThe Village Store · convenience store · 160 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 12 km — Eskbank (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 0.2 km — Uttershill Castle (castle)
- 3.7 km — Oldwoodhouselee Castle (castle)
Stay after this ride
- Maitlandfield House Hotel · hotel · 2.2 km from the finish
- Railway Hotel · hotel · 2.2 km from the finish
- The Golf Tavern · hotel · 2.6 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Han's Sweets'N'Eats (240 m), Gravity Bottleshop (250 m), The Old Crown Inn (260 m)
- Shops
- Newsboyz (200 m)
Know before you go
- 5.4 km on fast roads with 80 km/h+ limits
- Longest stretch without café or shop for 11.1 km from 15.9 km to 27 km
- 0.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 27% gravel or unpaved surfaces
