Road · United Kingdom
Glenkiln Loop Cycle Route
A rolling 38 km road cycling loop from Shawhead, Dumfries and Galloway through Nunwood, Lochside and Lincluden, with 245 m of climbing. There is a 21 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 16–37).
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 37.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 245 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 41 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 21 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Shawhead
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 245 m
- 38 km
Route description
- Shawhead
- Nunwood
- Lochside
- Lincluden
- Sandside
- Dumfries
- Summerville
- Barnhill
- Summerhill
- Shawhead
The Glenkiln Loop Cycle Route starts at Shawhead (22.6 km) and passes through several places including Barnhill (9.9 km), Summerhill (10.1 km), and Dumfries (9.1 km). The route is a loop covering 37.6 km with 245 m of climbing, mostly on minor roads (87%) with 10% on cycle paths and 2% on quiet streets. The longest named roads are the C112n for 11.5 km and the C14n for 4 km. The surface is 99% paved with a minor 1% gravel section.
Climbing begins just after km 12.8 with a 3 km climb gaining 67 m at an average gradient of 2.2%, reaching 84 m elevation. The subsequent climbs are at km 23.1 (2.7 km, 70 m gain) and km 27.3 (1.8 km, 53 m gain), peaking at 215 m at km 29.1 beneath West Hill. The profile shows 64% flat, 19% climbing and 17% descending terrain, with a steepest 500 m section at 4.6% gradient near km 28.1. The longest descending stretch lasts 4.4 km from km 29.3 descending 143 m.
Facilities include cafés near Dumfries at 9.1 km and Cargenbridge Tea rooms at 16.3 km, shops and a petrol station close to 9.1 km, plus a bike repair stand at 12.3 km. There are no water points or toilets along the route. The longest stretch without any café, shop, or water is about 21 km from km 16.3 to 37.4. Dumfries station at 9.1 km serves as a bailout point if needed.
Highlights
- Beneath West Hill near 13.8 km
- Three moderate climbs between km 12.8 and 29.1
- Longest descent 4.4 km from km 29.3
- C112n road for 11.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 12.8 km | 3 km · 67 m · 2.2 % · max 3.6 % | 84 m |
| Unnamed climb | 23.1 km | 2.7 km · 70 m · 2.6 % · max 4.5 % | 162 m |
| Unnamed climb | 27.3 km | 1.8 km · 53 m · 3 % · max 4.8 % | 215 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 87% minor road · 10% cycle path · 2% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 3.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- C112n (12 km), C14n (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 19% climbing · 17% descending · 64% flat
- Longest descent
- 4.4 km from 29.3 km, dropping 143 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 21 km, from km 16 to 37. Along the route: 5 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops, 2 petrol stations and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 8.5 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 9.1 kmCosta Drive Thru · café · 150 m off route
- 9.1 kmTesco · petrol station · 220 m off route
- 9.3 kmThe Food Warehouse · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 12.3 kmRepair stand · 290 m off route
- 16.3 kmCargenbridge Tea rooms · café · 80 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 9.1 km — Dumfries (station), 1.4 km off route
Worth a stop
- 2.1 km — Hall Hill Mote, Hillfort (archaeological site)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water 21.1 km from km 16.3
- 13 km on main roads without cycle lane
- Steepest 500 m gradient 4.6% at km 28.1