Road · From the map · United Kingdom
Selkirk Yellow Route
- 27 km
- 270 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 270 m
- 27 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders comfortable with moderate climbing over 27 km distance.
A 27.4 km route from Selkirk through Ettrickbridge, Yarrow, and Yarrowford in Scottish Borders.
Starting near Selkirk at 115 m, the route heads through Ettrickbridge at 12.4 km, reaching a summit of 356 m after a 2.8 km climb averaging 5.8% gradient from 13.6 to 16.4 km. This climb accounts for most of the 270 m total elevation gain. After cresting, the road descends over 2.3 km dropping 151 m towards Yarrow at 18.7 km. The route continues through Yarrowford and Broadmeadows before finishing at Selkirk. Almost all the road surface is paved (99%), with 71% on main roads including 10 km on the A708 and 6.4 km on the B7009. There are 19.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes, and 23.5 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or higher. Minor roads comprise 19% and quiet streets 9% of the distance. Amenities near Selkirk include a bike shop, convenience store and drinking water within about 250 m of the start. Cafés and pubs are available off the route near 2.1 km and 12.5 km respectively. A long 14.9 km stretch from 12.5 km onwards lacks cafés, shops or water. Peaks near the road include Harehead Hill, Rough Knowe (481 m), Tinnis Top and Black Andrew.
Highlights
- Climb to 356 m summit with 5.8% average gradient
- Passes Rough Knowe peak (481 m) at 17 km
- Route crosses Yarrow and Yarrowford villages
- Close to Tinnis Top peak at 22.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 13.6 km | 2.8 km | 159 m | 5.8 % | 7.9 % | 356 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 71% main road · 19% minor road · 9% quiet street
- Main roads
- 19.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 23.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A708 (10 km), B7009 (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 20% climbing · 14% descending · 67% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.1 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 8.6% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 2.3 km from 16.4 km, dropping 151 m
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 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
- 0.3 kmLindsay & Gilmour · pharmacy · 630 m off route
- 2.1 kmThe Waterwheel Cafe · café · on the route
- 12.5 kmCross Keys · pub · on the route
Worth a stop
- 22.1 km — Tinnis Top (peak)
- 26.6 km — Newark Castle (castle)
At the start
- Scott's Cycle Services · bike shop · 240 m
- Fillin Station · fast food · 210 m
- A & Z Stores · convenience store · 240 m
Stay after this ride
- Philipburn Hotel · hotel · 3.4 km from the finish
- The Glen Hotel · hotel · 4.0 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 1 h 57 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 17–18 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Long 14.9 km stretch without café, shop or water after 12.5 km
- 19.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 23.5 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
