Gravel · United Kingdom
Stage 6 of 7 · EuroVelo 12 from Edinburgh← Stage 5Stage 7 →
Turriff to Elgin
A rolling 81 km road cycling route from Turriff, Aberdeenshire to Elgin through Mill of Eden, Banff and Portsoy, with 446 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 81.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 446 m
- Riding time
- 5 h 48 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Turriff → Elgin
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 446 m
- 81 km
Route description
- Turriff
- Mill of Eden
- Banff
- Portsoy
- Lintmill Burnside
- Findochty
- Portgordon
- Carsemoor
- Moycroft
- Elgin
This 81.2 km ride starts in Turriff and heads north through several small places including Mill of Eden at 9.8 km, Linganbo at 11.8 km, and Macduff at 17.1 km before reaching Banff at 19.4 km. After Banff the route continues along coastal towns including Whitehills at 24.7 km and Portsoy at 32.1 km. The ride features two notable climbs: a 2.2 km climb from 24.8 km gaining 62 m at an average of 2.8%, and a 2.1 km climb from 33 km with 41 m gain at 2%. The highest point is 82 m at 14.1 km, descending to a low of 3 m at 22.3 km.
The terrain is mostly flat with 69% flat roads, 14% climbing and 17% descending. Road surfaces are mostly paved (94%) with some gravel or unpaved (4%). The road classes include about 51% minor roads, 20% cycle paths, and 15% main roads including 11.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes. The longest named roads include the B9139 used for 5.2 km and the Moray Coastal Cycle Route for 4.4 km. Services are available along the route including cafés at 13.2 km, 19.3 km, 42.6 km and 53.4 km, with shops and supermarkets in multiple towns. The longest stretch without café, shop or water is 13.1 km early on.
Cyclists finishing in Elgin have access to various cafés and shops, bike repair and a bike shop at 79.1 km. Bailout is possible at Elgin station near the finish. Peaks near the route include Durn Hill at 198 m near 34.8 km.
Highlights
- Two minor climbs over 2 km long
- Coastal towns including Banff and Portsoy
- Long descent of 2.7 km from 16 km
- Durn Hill near 34.8 km (198 m)
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 24.8 km | 2.2 km · 62 m · 2.8 % · max 4.4 % | 69 m |
| Unnamed climb | 33 km | 2.1 km · 41 m · 2 % · max 3.9 % | 71 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 11.8 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 51% minor road · 20% cycle path · 15% main road · 10% quiet street · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 11.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 8.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 16 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- B9139 (5 km), Moray Coastal Cycle Route (4 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 94% is mapped as paved, 4% as unpaved or gravel and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 14% climbing · 17% descending · 69% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.7 km from 16 km, dropping 69 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 114 cafés and restaurants, 29 shops, 1 water point, 3 petrol stations, 9 public toilets and 4 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmCo-op · supermarket · 140 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 0.1 kmA. McKenzie · bakery · on the route
- 18.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 19.3 kmCherry Tree cafe & bistro · café · on the route
- 19.4 kmStrachan Pharmacy · pharmacy · 110 m off route
- 24.1 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 32.1 kmJ Donald Bakers · bakery · 180 m off route
- 42.6 kmThe Yellow Deli · café · 130 m off route
- 42.6 kmCullen Pharmacy · pharmacy · 180 m off route
- 42.8 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 140 m off route
- 46.1 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 53.3 kmPetrol station · 290 m off route
- 53.4 kmToilets · 60 m off route
- 53.4 kmrightmedicine Pharmacy · pharmacy · 100 m off route
- 64.5 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 78.3 kmMorrisons Daily · convenience store · 120 m off route
- 79 kmMNMs Cafe · café · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 78.9 km — Elgin (station), 880 m off route
Worth a stop
- 10.7 km — Eden Castle (ruins)
- 19.4 km — Mercat Cross (monument)
- 24.3 km — Compass Rose (attraction)
- 29.6 km — Boyne Castle (castle)
- 36.2 km — Fordyce Castle (castle)
- 42.9 km — Castle Hill (viewpoint)
Stay after this ride
- Belleville B&B · guest house · 350 m from the finish
- Elgin Guest House · guest house · 280 m from the finish
- Elgin Studios · apartment · 340 m from the finish
- Elgin Central Torr House Hotel · hotel · 370 m from the finish
- Stag & Barrel · apartment · 450 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- A. McKenzie (90 m), J.G. Ross (70 m), Milanos (40 m)
- Shops
- Co-op (140 m), Tesco (180 m)
At the finish
- Bikes and repair
- Highland Bikes (240 m)
- Food and coffee
- MNMs Cafe (60 m), Ashers Bakery (190 m), Walkers Shortbread (200 m)
- Shops
- Aldi (220 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water for 13.1 km from 0.1 km
- 11.8 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 8.8 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more
- 4% gravel or unpaved surface
