Day 1 - 49 miles
Portpatrick - Woods of Cree 
Starting from the harbourside of the historical and picturesque seaside village of Portpatrick, so popular with tourists, the route climbs out onto quiet roads before quickly getting onto a section of the Southern Upland Way, a gravel and then grass track gently rising to the top of Mulloch hill with panoramic views, before descending through a sea of heather. (Note: the Komoot map curiously states cycling is forbidden along the sections of Southern Upland Way this route uses - the S.U.W. actively promotes on its own website for MTB use and we understand cycling is fully permitted - as it is through the Wind Farms and Forest Parks where motor vehicles are not permitted. The sections used on this route are on firm ground and rideable with Gravel Bikes.) The route then takes a network of single track roads and bridleways to Castle Kennedy (petrol station last shop of the day). Castle Kennedy Gardens have a stunning display of rhododendrons in April - June and are worth visiting if you have the time; they also have a tearoom, which, if you ask nicely, you will not need to pay the entrance fee to use. About 700 metres after leaving the Gardens there is a signpost for the S.U.W. to the right onto a gravel track which rejoins the road higher up the hill. The initial thought was to use this on the route, however the going gets quite hard. The more intrepid of you may wish to take it, however the official route sticks to the more gentle climb on the road and continues along our SW300 route through the pretty village of New Luce towards Barrhill on a single track road, before turning right for a few miles of remote Gravel through a Wind Farm and forest. It then drops down into the valley on single track roads to the Woods of Cree R.S.P.B. Nature Reserve with its Otter Pool.

Day 2 - 49 miles
Woods of Cree - Auldgirth
 
The first part of the day is all off-road gravel tracks through stunning scenery. Riding up the main track through the Woods of Cree with waterfalls on the right (you may wish to explore the path to the right to see the waterfalls), the track continues out through the top of the Reserve and joins the Gravel Fire Roads with panoramic views, before descending to Caldons where the route rejoins the S.U.W. path along the south side of Loch Trool with spectacular views and battle site. Back onto the Fire Roads past the beautiful Lochs Dee and Clatteringshaws and then onto quiet lanes through picturesque countryside through New Galloway (small shop, tearoom and pub for lunch) to Auldgirth (small shop, upmarket pub).

Day 3 - 57 miles
Auldgirth - Langholm
Back lanes through attractive farmland to Ae (Bike Shop and Cafe), then Gravel Tracks for 13 miles up through Ae Forest to skirt between Beattock and Moffat (most facilities, ideal lunch stop). Then a mixture of quiet roads and tracks with panoramic views through beautiful remote countryside to Langholm (most facilities).

Day 4 - 63 miles
Langholm - Kirk Yetholm
A hillier, tougher day. Leaving the "Muckle Toon", it's up and over to Newcastleton (shop, tearoom, pub) before 30 miles of gravel through the Kielder Forest and around Kielder Water. Lunch stop at Kielder Village (cafe, bike shop, camp site). From the A68 crossing to Kirk Yetholm are two options;- The first is up and over the Cheviots via the Military Range on single track tarmac roads to panoramic views, before taking a grass cycle path up over and down towards the finish. Note: the grass can be quite long and slow going. If the military are carrying out exercises - red flag times here - or bad weather / you are pushed for time then the second, flatter, easier option is along back lanes on the Scottish side of the border. Kirk Yetholm is a pretty village at the end of the Pennine Way with a good pub (Shop in Town Yetholm).

Day 5 - 25 miles
Kirk Yetholm - Lindisfarne  
25 miles to the finish or either 50 or 88 miles to continue the loop (See Border Loop page) all on tarmac, mostly scenic back lanes. The Holy Isle is cut off at high tide so check tide times here before riding the beautiful causeway to the castle (National Trust) and priory for a celebratory glass of Mead (Pub, cafe, shop, accommodation). A fitting location to end a stunning journey!