RETURN TRIP OPTION

Day 5 continued - 25 miles (50 miles total)
Lindisfarne - Kirk Yetholm
An easier day after day 4. Leave your baggage at your accommodation and ride out to the sea at Lindisfarne and back on tarmac, giving you time to work round the tide times to get on and off the Holy Isle for the finish and sightseeing around the castle and nature reserve, before returning to Kirk Yetholm.

Day 6 - 54 miles
Kirk Yetholm - Tushielaw
Traffic free back lanes follow the Border before visiting historic Hawick for provisions / lunch and onward on empty, scenic roads to Tushielaw. The faster among you may wish to combine days 6 and 7 into one day.

Day 7 - 46 miles
Tushielaw - Wanlockhead
The route takes the shoreline of St. Mary's Loch, Megget Reservoir and Talla Water, before following the River Tweed to its source, all on tarmac (we understand that by 2026 there will be a cycle path leading to the Tweed Source), before cutting right onto the gravel Old / Roman Road. Once past the M74 back on road through the magnificently beautiful Southern Uplands to Scotland's highest village.

Day 8 - 66 miles
Wanlockhead - A714
Descend the stunning Mennock Pass (popular with campers and gold panners, beware sheep!) to skirt Sanquhar (last shop of the day) following our SW300 route. From here most of the day is on gravel tracks. A 1,500ft. climb into wind farm to Afton Water before descending along the Water of Deuch to Loch Doon. Turn off the road onto a grass track (scenic views of the Galloway Hills) to Loch Doon (Cafe) and onto the Carrick Forest Drive (smooth gravel) past Lochs Doon, Riecawr and Bradan. Cross over the road at Stinchar Bridge onto a firm path leading to Gravel Tracks with great views down into the Stinchar Valley and on to the Nick of the Balloch. Back onto Gravel Fire Roads to the A714.

Day 9 - 44 miles
A714 - Portpatrick
The day starts off with 13 miles of Gravel Roads through Wind Farm, remote with great views. This is followed by a gentle 4 mile climb up a grass track through fields that was once road, but is now fully overgrown with the covered tarmac providing firm support. For some reason Komoot doesn’t think you can ride on the public road at the end of this, but clearly you can. A ride over the tops and fast descent on remote single-track roads before turning left onto gravel track through Castle Kennedy grounds. (Garden tearoom and garage shop). From here quiet roads and bridleways to the pretty Portpatrick Harbour lined with seafood pubs and the finish.


ONE WAY TRIP OPTION
 
Day 1 - 63 miles (Day 5 continued - 88 miles total)
Lindisfarne - Hawick
 
 
Day 2 (Day 6) - 63 miles
Hawick - Wanlockhead
 
 
Day 3 (Day 7) - 66 miles
Wanlockhead - A714
 
 
Day 4 (Day 8) - 44 miles
A714 - Portpatrick