Islay E-Wheels
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Cycling in Scotland

There are many ways to explore our wonderful country but cycling in Scotland is one of the best. Take your time to see more, relax and unwind, and be more climate-friendly all in the one go. Your next cycling holiday could include our amazing long-distance routes, or purpose-built trails at one of 25 world-class mountain biking centres.

Explore Scotland's National Cycle Routes

National Cycle Routes & Paths in Scotland

Browse a network of signed cycle paths and routes and find one near you.

Sustrans Map of National Cycle Routes in Scotland

With the Sustrans cycle map, you’ll find routes for cycling adventures and for easy and relaxed days in the outdoors.

Our recommendations for getting to grips with Scotland's Cycle Trails

11 of the Best Cycling Routes in Scotland

Experience Scotland's beauty by bike with these 11 must-pedal routes around Arran, Edinburgh, Loch Leven & more.

Cycling Routes for Beginners

Discover 10 scenic cycle routes, perfect for beginners. Including Drumlanrig Castle, Aviemore to Abernethy Forest and the Strathkelvin Railway Path.

What's New

Get Involved

Scotland’s outdoor scene always has new things to try out and add to your to-do list, from new trails, enticing events, family-friendly activities, and even a chance to meet big name cyclists and athletes too. Two new routes have been tried and tested in Scotland, the Kirkpatrick Coast 2 Coast and the Fife 191, both of which boast fantastic views, culture, food & drink, and take you through quaint towns and villages.

Tweedlove Family Fun Ride Event, Peebles

Find a cycling event in Scotland

In Scotland we love cycling so much so that we put on some rather wonderful events to celebrate the joy of being on two wheels. From family friendly events, and challenging long-distance endeavours, to hosting some of the largest events of its kind in the world, and even just raising money for a good cause, Scotland has plenty of cycling events to get involved in.

See all cycling events

Top Pick Destinations for Cycling

Scottish Borders

Great for:

A variety of routes for all types and abilities
Quiet roads and less traffic
Waymarked long distance cycle routes
Mountain biking in the forests

Peebles and the River Tweed, Scottish Borders
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Routes, Trails & Centres

The Scottish Borders is a scenic region on the map, with a variety of road cycling routes you can explore. These routes vary in elevation, experience level and distance, but there are routes to suit beginners and expert cyclists alike.

Selkirk to Innerleithen loop – 38.5 miles
Peebles to Innerleithen café loop – 15.9 miles
Tweed Cycleway loop from Peebles – 29 miles
Innerleithen to Galashiels loop – 45.1 miles
The Meldons loop from Peebles – 13 miles

Find out more about these routes and how to start your cycling day out.

Learn more about cycling in the south of Scotland.

Accommodation

Across the region you’ll find a range of cosy and welcoming places to stay where you can rest your head and relax after a long day of cycling and exploring. Many accommodation options are cyclist-friendly and will have lockable sheds or outbuildings where you can safely secure your bikes overnight. From self-catering cottages and homely B&Bs, to budget-friendly hostels and more, you’ve got plenty of options.

Browse cyclist-friendly accommodation in the Scottish Borders.

Food & Drink

With a variety of towns and villages dotted across the region, including Peebles, Melrose, Kelso, Eyemouth and Jedburgh, you’ll have the pick of the bunch when it comes to hearty pub grub, locally sourced produce, and inviting restaurants.

Browse places to eat in the Scottish Borders.

The Borders Railway
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Travel

The Scottish Borders is aptly located just south of Edinburgh and east of Dumfries & Galloway. The region is easily accessed by a variety of transport options, including train, bus, and driving. Travel times to region are:

From Edinburgh: 1h15m by car, 1h30m by train, and 1h50m by bus.
From Glasgow: 1h50m by car, 2h30 by train and bus.
From London: 5h30m by train and bus.

Find out more about travel in Scotland

Parks, Trails and Centres to Explore

From urban jungles to the quiet countryside, Scotland's bike parks and trail centres are great for beginners and experts alike.

Laggan Wolftrax Mountain Biking Trail Centre, Laggan

Laggan Wolftrax trails range from an easy-going green route for a shorter and flatter ride, to white-knuckle red, black and orange routes which are more technical. Test yourself with the skills area at the trailhead so you know what to expect out in the forest. Pop into The Bike Bothy Laggan for all your cycling needs; service and repairs, bike hire and essential accessories for your ride. There is also a café, toilets and shower facilities too.

Find out more about Laggan Wolftrax

Cyclists at Comrie Croft
© Perth and Kinross Council / Fred Murray

Comrie Croft, Perthshire

At Comrie Croft you’ll find over 16km of pump, berms and rollers along its graded blue, red and black trails. Each grade has a series of interlinking loops which you can do all at once or pick your favourite. Comrie Croft Bikes are on hand to help with any trail questions, bike repairs and have a range of bikes available to hire. Facilities include hot showers (small fee required), a bike cleaning station and toilets. There is also a small skate park just on the outskirts.

Find out more about Comrie Croft

Cathkin Braes Pump Track, Glasgow

Situated in the south-east of Glasgow, Cathkin Braes is home to 9km of trails. Take on its Red Circuit route with lots of tables, doubles and gaps in store to hone your skills. There are also plenty of blue and green trails aimed at beginner and intermediate riders. The park’s star attraction is the Vesolutions pump track – one of the largest in the UK. Suitable for riders of all wheel types, it’s part of the wider mountain bike trail centre, that includes competition MTB cross country trails, skills trails and a jump track. Cathkin Braes is free to use and open all-year round.

Find out more about Cathkin Braes

Highland Wildcat Trails
© @cairn_hill_agriculture

Highland Wildcat Trails, Golspie

Highland Wildcat Trails are designed for everyone. Intermediate riders can reach the summit of ‘the Ben’ from the blue trail, while experienced riders can seek more of a thrill along the red and black single-track routes. The riding is generally fast-paced and undulating to keep you on your toes but make sure not to go too fast as hikers and runners regularly use these trails. Families who wish to take it easy and enjoy a cycle along the lush forests can follow Pict’s Path.

Find out more about Highland Wildcat Trails

Gravel Biking - What is it?

A gravel bike bridges the gap between smooth tarmac road cycling and all but the gnarliest mountain biking trails. It has drop handlebars, disc brakes, chunky tyres and a robust frame. Electric or e-gravel bikes are also available for those that want to go further or make things a bit easier.

Gravel biking routes

A route might typically start from a railway station or directly from your holiday lodgings and take you along quiet country roads, before heading off-road for hinterland adventures. Bikepacking Scotland offers a great selection of gravel biking and bike-packing routes if you’re looking for more inspiration.

Make sure you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and read Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland’s ‘Do The Ride Thing’ guide before heading out.

A sign for the Kintyre Way near Skipness, Argyll

Good to Know - Practical Information

Before you set off on your two wheels it’s important to make sure you’re organised and have all you need planned out. Bike hire is available up and down the country and even on our islands, as well as a variety of cycle-friendly accommodation to stay in, including self-catering cottages, quirky wigwams and luxury lodges. Or if you’re not sure where to start, why not join a bike tour with a knowledgeable local guide?

Find experiences

Search a wide range of accommodation, events, food & drink options and things to do from indoor and outdoor attractions to activities, tours and more.

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