Stonehaven to Newmachar
- 63 km
- 492 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 492 m
- 63 km
Route overview
Riders suited to moderate distance with some climbing over 63 km and 492 m elevation gain.
Stage 4 of 7 of the EuroVelo 12 from Edinburgh: 63.4 km from Stonehaven to Newmachar with 492 m of climbing, on the signed route.
Starting in Stonehaven, the route heads north along a diverse mixture of surfaces, with 88% paved and 10% gravel or unpaved. It climbs steadily in the first 3 km gaining 107 m at an average gradient of 3.6%, reaching a height of 113 m. The road profile includes a second shorter climb near 16 km, gaining 40 m over 1.5 km at 2.7% average gradient. The highest point on the route is 154 m at 9.7 km near Cookney. The ride traverses a variety of road types including 52% minor road, 17% path, 9% quiet street, and 9% main roads, with 5.9 km on cycle paths or lanes. Almost 6 km of main roads are without cycle lanes, and 23 km are on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest descent spans 2.3 km, dropping 50 m starting from 21.3 km. Facilities include a café and supermarket near the start in Stonehaven and another café and supermarket around 23 km near Portlethen. The longest stretch without a café, shop, or water is 22 km from 0.7 km to 22.8 km. Train stations for bailout points exist at Stonehaven (0.4 km), Portlethen (24.3 km), Aberdeen (41.5 km), and Dyce (52.3 km). Toilets, shops, and water points are present at various intervals along the route.
Highlights
- Climb near Stonehaven (3 km, 107 m gain, max 6.9%)
- High point near Cookney at 154 m
- Peak Wedderhill near 14.5 km
- Longest descent of 2.3 km starting near 21.3 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 0.5 km | 3 km | 107 m | 3.6 % | 6.9 % | 113 m |
| — | 15.8 km | 1.5 km | 40 m | 2.7 % | 3.7 % | 120 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 52% minor road · 17% path · 9% quiet street · 9% main road
- Main roads
- 5.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 23.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 5.9 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B979 (4 km), Coast Road (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 19% climbing · 18% descending · 64% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.5 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.4% at 1.8 km
- Longest descent
- 2.3 km from 21.3 km, dropping 50 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 22 km, from 1 km to 23 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmToilets · 120 m off route
- 0 kmBike Remedy · bike shop · 150 m off route
- 0 kmBoots · pharmacy · 80 m off route
- 0.1 kmWaterfront Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 0.7 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 160 m off route
- 23.1 kmAsda · supermarket · 230 m off route
- 24.4 kmCharles Michie's Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 31.8 kmThe Snooty Fox · pub · 310 m off route
- 38 kmGreyhope Bay Centre · café · 50 m off route
- 39.9 kmTaylor's Self Service · supermarket · on the route
- 42.2 kmToilets · 100 m off route
- 42.6 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 150 m off route
- 43.3 kmMorrisons Petrol Station · petrol station · 100 m off route
- 44.6 kmbeCyCle · bike shop · 60 m off route
- 47.1 kmCrown Bar · pub · 140 m off route
- 51.1 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 60 m off route
- 52.3 kmBP · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 53.4 kmToilets · 250 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.4 km — Stonehaven (station), 950 m off route
- 24.3 km — Portlethen (station), 90 m off route
- 41.5 km — Aberdeen (station), 240 m off route
- 52.3 km — Dyce (station), 870 m off route
Worth a stop
- 14.5 km — Wedderhill (peak, 144 m)
- 34.5 km — Doonies Hill (peak, 68 m)
- 38.1 km — Torry Battery (ruins)
- 42.2 km — Education, Salvation and Damnation (viewpoint)
- 46.9 km — 50 ABD (archaeological site)
At the start
- Waterfront Cafe · café · 110 m
- Co-op Food · supermarket · 80 m
- J G Ross Craft Baker · bakery · 90 m
- Goodfellow & Steven Bakery · bakery · 90 m
- Nikki's · café · 100 m
At the finish
- Newmachar Pharmacy · pharmacy · 610 m
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 4 h 32 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–17 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water 22.1 km from 0.7 km
- 5.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 23.2 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
- 10% of route gravel or unpaved