Road · United Kingdom
Eyemouth Blue Route
A hilly 12 km road cycling route from St Abbs, Scottish Borders through Coldingham, Alemill and Highlaws Farm, with 100 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 12.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 100 m
- Riding time
- 52 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- St Abbs
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 100 m
- 12 km
Route description
- St Abbs
- Coldingham
- Alemill
- Highlaws Farm
The Eyemouth Blue Route starts near St Abbs at 3.2 km and proceeds through Coldingham at 5.4 km and Alemill at 8.3 km. The road surface is 97% paved with 67% on minor roads and 24% on main roads, none featuring cycle lanes. The highest point on the ride is at 105 m around 7.5 km, with a maximum descent of 68 m over 2.3 km towards Eyemouth at 12.1 km, which sits at 4 m elevation.
Between Coldingham and just after Highlaws Farm, there is a 5.6 km stretch lacking cafés, shops, or water. Pubs and convenience stores appear around Coldingham with the New Inn and Spar nearby, and at the finish in Eyemouth with the Contented Sole pub, Spar store, and an Esso petrol station around 11 km. Toilets are available near St Abbs and close to Eyemouth. The route features minor gradients, with 22% climbing and 39% descending, including some short steeper sections not exceeding 10% gradient.
Highlights
- Passes Coldingham Law (86 m) near 5.9 km
- Highest point 105 m at 7.5 km
- Longest descent 2.3 km from 9.7 km
- Pubs at 5.4 km and 12.1 km
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (2.9 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 67% minor road · 24% main road · 9% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 2.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 6.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 22% climbing · 39% descending · 39% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.3 km from 9.7 km, dropping 68 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 14 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 2 petrol stations and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 3.5 kmToilets · on the route
- 5.3 kmSpar · convenience store · on the route
- 5.4 kmThe New Inn · pub · on the route
- 11 kmSpar · convenience store · 150 m off route
- 11.2 kmEsso · petrol station · 150 m off route
- 11.8 kmToilets · on the route
- 11.9 kmGeorge Romanes Pharmacy · pharmacy · 160 m off route
- 12.1 kmThe Contented Sole · pub · 100 m off route
Worth a stop
- 5.4 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
Stay after this ride
- The Ship's Quarters Bed & Breakfast · guest house · 70 m from the finish
- Glenerne Guest House · guest house · 330 m from the finish
- Home Arms Guest House · guest house · 310 m from the finish
- Eye Sleep Over · hotel · 870 m from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- The Contented Sole (100 m), Giacopazzi’s (90 m), Giacopazzi's (100 m)
- Pharmacy and medical
- George Romanes Pharmacy (180 m)
Know before you go
- 5.6 km without café, shop or water from 5.4 km to 11 km
- 2.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 6.5 km on roads posted 80 km/h or more
- Short sections with gradients over 10%
