An energetic 41 mile ride through the gentle countryside south east of Selkirk at the heart of the Scottish Borders. Beware of vampire hay bales.
Grade: Challenging
Distance: 66.6 km (41 miles)
Total asent: 913m
Click on the map for full route details and to download GPX data.
The route starts outside The Five Turrets in Selkirk and heads east out of the town on the main A7 and then onto the A699 towards Bowden. There's a short climb before the route levels out.
At Bowden the route turns south, onto quieter B roads. At Lilliesleaf there's an opportunity to stop off at the Jammy Coo gallery and coffee shop for a break.
Follow the B6359 down to Denholm, with its Fox & Hounds pub and Auld Cross Keys Inn along with the Denholm Meet and the Cream Puff cafes.
For the really energetic, there's a good walk from the village green up tot he summit of Rubers Law, the conical hill south of the village which dominates the local landscape. There was an Iron Age fort there and later a Roman signalling station.
The route returns to Selkirk via Ancrum, Lilliesleaf and Askhirk, where it breifly turns left onto the A7 before taking the next right turn and heading uphill on a minor road. There are good views north east towards Selkirk. Do look out for the vampire hay bales.
Need somewhere to stay?
The route starts and finishes at The Five Turrets, the glamorous self catering holiday property near the centre of town, with fairytale castle looks and accommodation for up to eight people in four double bedrooms. And secure cycle storage on site, of course. The Five Turrets in Selkirk was named by The Sunday Times as one of the top 25 self catering properties in the UK for 2019. Check availability here.
This route was suggested by Scottish Borders cyclist and trail designer Pete Laing.
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