Road cycling routes in the Tweed Valley

Borderloop

The long and turbulent history of the Scottish Borders has bequeathed a legacy of romantic castles, historic abbeys and great country houses that lie like jewels flung from a generous hand among a landscape celebrated in song and legend. The Borderloop is a 250-mile circular journey by bike along the quiet lanes that criss-cross this beautiful region, with several possible shortcuts offering alternative itineraries. Break up your journey into stages to eat, stay and relax in the land’s handsome towns and villages along the way. The route is moderate with a few steep sections and will take around 7 days to complete depending on your ability and how often you stop to admire the view.

Tweed Cycleway

Starting at 650 ft above sea level in Biggar and finishing on the coast in Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Tweed Cycleway is a waymarked cycle route, 95 miles long, running through the heart of the Scottish Borders with the River Tweed as its linking theme. It is an attractive route, avoiding busy roads almost entirely, with many fine hill and forest views and handsome towns along the way such as Peebles, Melrose, Kelso and Coldstream. The route is moderate, with a few steep sections. It is normally tackled in an easterly direction and will take 3-5 days to complete depending on your pace and where you may decide to stop along the way.

Coasts and Castles

Developed by Sustrans, this 200 mile route links the Forth and Tyne estuaries, taking in some of Britain’s best built and natural heritage. Starting in Newcastle it passes Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site, unspoilt coastline and then travels west through the beautiful Tweed Valley before turning north through the Moorfoot Hills to Edinburgh. Wonderful views, historic sites and friendly communities make this a truly memorable journey. The vast majority of this route is on quiet roads and is usually tackled in a northerly direction, although can be done either way. The route is moderate with a few steep sections and will take around 5 days to complete.

Megget & Talla

This 53 mile route heads south from Innerleithen passing Traquair House and along the Paddy Slacks towards the Gordon Arms. Turning right into the Yarrow Valley and then on towards Tweedsmuir. With a steep climb up towards Megget Reservoir where you can enjoy great cycling and views towards Broad Law at 840m the highest hill in the Scottish Borders. It then descends towards Talla Reservoir. At Tweedsmuir it turns north passing Dawyck Botanic Garden and skirting round the south side of Cademuir Hill before descending into Peebles. The end of the route follows the south side of the Tweed Valley back towards Innerleithen.

Moorfoots & Gala Water

Heading north from Innerleithen, this route climbs over the Moorfoot Hills to a height of 350m above sea level before descending to the village of Heriot. This 37 mile route returns south and is generally downhill via Fountainhall, Stow and Clovenfords. It then travels back towards Innerleithen along the Tweed Valley.

Tweed & Ettrick Valleys

Heading east along the Tweed Valley before turning south passing Yair towards Selkirk and Bowhill House and Country Estate. The route follows the Ettrick Valley to Ettrickbridge and on to the Gordon Arms. From here it is back north passing Traquair House before returning to Innerleithen. (42 Miles)

Manor Valley

Leave Peebles and head into open countryside where the road climbs steadily with a steep section past Edderston Manor but you can rest just beyond the summit and enjoy the view over Peebles and Dunslair Heights (602m). The road then drops and views of the Tweed Valley open up before descending to Kirkton Manor. The route then climbs up to The Glack and after this you can follow the Manor Water for as far as you want before returning the way you came. (20 Miles)

Cademuir Circuit

This short circuit takes you south of Peebles and round Cademuir Hill. On entering open countryside the road climbs steadily with a steep section past Edderston Manor but you can rest just beyond the summit and enjoy the view over Peebles and Dunslair Heights (602m). The road then drops and views of the Tweed Valley open up before descending to Kirkton Manor. Follow the river for a while before the road turns east and contours along the slopes of Cademuir Hll before returning north to Peebles. (7.5 Miles)

The Meldons and Eddleston

This route takes you north of Peebles past Lyne Station and on to the Meldons road. The road climbs gradually passing between the Black and White Meldons reaching a summit of 268m before going on to Eddleston where you can stop for refreshments. You can return using the outward route or by using the A703, but this road is often very busy with cars. (22.5 Miles)

Dreva and Dawyck

This route heads west from Peebles, climbing up to The Glack before opening out and the Tweed Valley comes into view. The route then heads down towards Lyne Station. Continue on to Stobo and then towards Dreva which runs high above the Tweed Valley. It then drops down to Rachan before returning north. Visit Dawyck Botanic Garden for some refreshments before heading back to Peebles.

Peebles to Traquair House

This route heads east from Peebles and follows the River Tweed as it makes its way along to Traquair which is well worth a visit. Alternatively you can visit Innerleithen for some refreshments before returning on the outward route back to Peebles. (13 Miles)

4 Abbeys

The 4 Abbeys is a 55 mile circular route linking the four main abbeys in the Scottish Borders at Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh. The route follows mainly quiet roads, although short stretches on ‘A‘ roads are unavoidable, a scenic route that takes in many historic interest points in the region either on the route or close by. The route is moderate with a couple of steep but fairly short hills. It is normally tackled in a clockwise direction, but can be done either way. If required overnight stops can be made in Melrose, St Boswells, Kelso or Jedburgh and the route can be started or finished from these locations.