Road · United Kingdom
Selkirk Magenta Route
A hilly 26 km road cycling loop from Selkirk, Scottish Borders through Hartwoodburn, New Greenhill and Clerklands, with 351 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 25.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 351 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 51 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Selkirk
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 351 m
- 26 km
Route description
- Selkirk
- Hartwoodburn
- New Greenhill
- Clerklands
- Riddell
- Shawburn
- Midlem
- Braidwood
- Greenhead
- Selkirk
This 25.9 km loop starts in Selkirk at 115 m elevation and features 351 m of cumulative climbing. The route climbs steadily in the first 10 km, including a 1.2 km climb at 3.4% average gradient and longer climbs at 2.9-3.8% average gradients topping out at 264 m. After reaching the highest point near km 22.3 at 285 m, the ride descends towards Selkirk.
The roads are predominantly minor roads (51%) and main roads (39%), with a small amount covered on major roads, tracks, quiet streets, and paths. About 97% of the surface is paved, with a tiny portion unpaved or gravel. The longest named roads are B6453 for 3.5 km and B6400 for 3.2 km. Main roads without cycle lanes total 11.1 km, and sections with speed limits 80 km/h or higher amount to 13.5 km.
There are no cafés or shops on the first 14.2 km from near the start to Lilliesleaf, where Jammy Coo café is just 13 m off route. Selkirk offers multiple options to refuel and basic facilities including a bakery, supermarket, cafés, restaurants, toilets, water, and bike services. Nearby points of interest include Howden Hill peak near km 2.2 and an archaeological site near Clerklands at km 10.2.
Why ride this route?
- The most climbing per kilometre of the 4 rides from Selkirk: 14 m per km.
Highlights
- Climbs up to 3.8% average gradient
- Peak of Howden Hill near km 2.2
- Longest named roads: B6453 and B6400
- Jammy Coo café near km 14.3
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 1.2 km · 40 m · 3.4 % · max 4.6 % | 156 m |
| Unnamed climb | 2.5 km | 2 km · 57 m · 2.9 % · max 6.5 % | 184 m |
| Unnamed climb | 5.7 km | 2.9 km · 86 m · 3 % · max 4.7 % | 264 m |
| Unnamed climb | 16.2 km | 2.3 km · 88 m · 3.8 % · max 7.2 % | 231 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (11.1 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 51% minor road · 39% main road · 3% major road · 2% track · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 11.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 13.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B6453 (4 km), B6400 (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 35% climbing · 28% descending · 37% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.3 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 11.2% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 3.5 km from 8.7 km, dropping 110 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 18 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops, 1 water point, 1 public toilet and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmFillin Station · fast food · 210 m off route
- 0 kmA & Z Stores · convenience store · 240 m off route
- 0 kmScott's Cycle Services · bike shop · 240 m off route
- 0.1 kmDrinking water · 100 m off route
- 14.3 kmJammy Coo · café · on the route
- 25.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · on the route
- 25.7 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 25.7 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 25.8 kmCameron's · bakery · on the route
- 25.8 kmToilets · 140 m off route
Worth a stop
- 2.2 km — Howden Hill (peak)
- 10.2 km — Clerklands Hillfort (archaeological site)
- 25.8 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Bikes and repair
- Scott's Cycle Services (240 m)
- Food and coffee
- Three Hills Coffee Co. (660 m), The Peony Rose (650 m), Cameron's (700 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (730 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch with no café, shop or water for 14.2 km
- 11.1 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 13.5 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limit
