Turriff to Elgin
- 81 km
- 446 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 446 m
- 81 km
Route overview
Riders suited to a moderate-distance coastal ride with some climbing and mixed road surfaces.
Stage 6 of 7 of the EuroVelo 12 from Edinburgh: 81.2 km from Turriff to Elgin with 446 m of climbing, on the signed route.
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 | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 24.8 km | 2.2 km | 62 m | 2.8 % | 4.4 % | 69 m |
| — | 33 km | 2.1 km | 41 m | 2 % | 3.9 % | 71 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 51% minor road · 20% cycle path · 15% main road · 10% quiet street
- 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
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 14% climbing · 17% descending · 69% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.7 km from 16 km, dropping 69 m
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 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)
At the start
- A. McKenzie · bakery · 90 m
- J.G. Ross · bakery · 70 m
- Co-op · supermarket · 140 m
- Milanos · restaurant · 40 m
- Skippers Fish & Chips · fast food · 130 m
At the finish
- MNMs Cafe · café · 60 m
- Ashers Bakery · bakery · 190 m
- Walkers Shortbread · patisserie · 200 m
- Costa · café · 230 m
- Aldi · supermarket · 220 m
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
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 5 h 48 min
- Jun to Aug — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months
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