Southern Scotland
Ride History & Routes
I love sharing my rides with others who wish to experience some of these amazing routes I have found around Scotland.
To that end, I have listed my best rides with pictures, a brief description, & difficulty.
A guide to what might be involved in an Easy/Medium/Hard grading can be found on our 'Disclaimer' page: https://www.gravelscotland.uk/gravel-riding-scotland/group-disclaimer
Some rides include a 'HALL OF FAME' badge & are highly recommended!
Gatehouse Of Fleet, Galloway (59km/768m)
When you’re looking for a route that is easy riding, and has beautiful Galloway countryside views, yet just enough distance and mixed surface to keep you on your toes, this may be the perfect ride.
A great started for those just getting into gravel riding.
I look forward to riding this again with friends.
Easy
GPX File
Galloway Forest Park
(69km/1320m)
Once in a while, you find a route that is just inspired. Hard for me to put into words how much I enjoyed riding Galloway Forest Park, it is just about everything I love about gravel riding.
Not hugely challenging to ride, views out of this world, and the climbs were not too steep either, a perfect balance for my style of riding.
This adventure has to be high on your list. Sublime.
Medium
HOF
GPX File
The Herring Roads of The Lammermuirs
(52km/1121m)
This route kicks off with a short ride to Watch Water Reservoir to catch some beautiful views, from there, the real climbing starts.
Each section of this ride opens up new stunning views. And although there are a few tough climbs wrapped into this one, all of them are worth the effort.
Medium
GPX File
Tour de Lead Hills, Borders (53km/1240m)
Buckle up, because this route has many of the classic Borders ride features - stunning open hilly landscapes with beautiful backdrop views, steep rugged challenging climbs, and quiet remote riding.
I did find myself walking a few of the very steep climbs, but there is no question that the challenging and quite technical, (in places), descending was all the more fun.
Not a route for beginners.
Hard
GPX File
Newcastleton To Kielder Forest (74km/1396m)
A route that features excellent gravel tracks throughout most of the journey, some technical singletrack on the way home, so you will need a few bike handling skills to take this on, but nothing too serious. The standout feature here is Kielder Reservoir, it is vast, and much of the journey will give you some of the best views of it. A great day out.
Medium
GPX File
Selkirk To Bowhill Estate (40km/1010m)
Absolutely one of my favourite rides of 2023, an instant classic. But make no mistake, this route will certainly test your off-road skills.
A huge variety of surfaces to navigate here, from quiet roads, to technical singletrack descents, this is a world of adventure with dazzling views to match.
Hard
HOF
GPX File
Clatteringshaw Dam Tour From Fleet (54km/738m)
Fleet in Galloway really has some of the best gravel tracks to ride anywhere in Scotland, with that, you are also treated to some glorious views of the wonderful forest and countryside, it’s one of my most favourite areas to ride, and has a very welcoming local community.
Easy
GPX File