Cycling routes in the Scottish Borders

Between the sea cliffs of Eyemouth and the rolling hills around Hawick lies some of the Borders’ best cycling country. This is not a single end-to-end ride but a collection of loops and trails that let you explore the region in bite-sized adventures. One day you can pedal along the clifftops at St Abbs with seabirds wheeling overhead, the next you’re tracing the River Tweed past abbeys and castles, or climbing into the quiet folds of the Southern Uplands. These are quiet backroads, easy to follow, with enough climbs to keep things interesting and plenty of cafés and village greens for a pause.
Here are some of the best cycling routes in the borders for you to enjoy.

Eyemouth & Berwickshire Coast

Why ride here? Clifftop drama, fishing harbours, seabirds and sandy bays. The Borders’ wildest stretch of coast.

• St Abbs & Coldingham Loop (14 miles / 22 km, 1½–2¼ hrs)
  Short, punchy ride past Coldingham Bay to the seabird cliffs at St Abb’s Head. Expect steep little climbs and sweeping views.

• Burnmouth Harbour Spin (8½ miles / 14 km, 50–80 mins)
  Down to a tucked-away fishing harbour with a big climb back up. Small but rewarding.

• Paxton House & River Tweed (20 miles / 32 km, 2–3 hrs)
  Quiet lanes to the Tweed, crossing handsome bridges and estate landscapes.

• Coldingham Moor Circuit (26 miles / 42 km, 3–3½ hrs)
  Rolling farmland and open moorland west of Eyemouth - big skies, little traffic.

Duns & Lammermuir Foothills

Why ride here? A transition zone between coast and uplands, with heather moors, wooded valleys and classic Borders farmland.

• Edrom Taster (10 miles / 16 km, ~1 hr)
  Easy spin through fertile countryside, good for families or gentle legs.

• Longformacus Loop (16–17 miles / 26–27 km, 1¾–2½ hrs)
  Quiet lanes brushing the Lammermuir Hills; airy views and a bit more climbing.

• Swinton & Chirnside (15–16 miles / 25–26 km, 1½–2¼ hrs)
  Gentle farmland landscapes with village stops.

• Abbey St Bathans Circuit (25½ miles / 41 km, 3–4 hrs)
  Signature Duns ride: forest tracks, rolling roads, hidden valleys.

Kelso & Tweedside

Why ride here? Georgian squares, abbey ruins, Floors Castle and the River Tweed- a superb cycling hub.

• Bowmont Forest & Roxburgh (20 miles / 32 km, 2–3 hrs)
  Woodlands and riversides south of town, very quiet roads.

• Harestanes & Nisbet (21 miles / 33–34 km, 2–3¼ hrs)
  Rolling farmland, village greens, and bridges across the Tweed/Teviot.

• Yetholm Loch Mini-Loop (5½ miles / 9 km, 35–55 mins)
  A short scenic circuit, great add-on for families.

• Bowmont Valley Spin (up to 14 miles / 22.5 km, 1½–2 hrs)
  Peaceful valley lanes with Cheviot views — a softer Borders experience.

Kelso is also a good base for the Tweed Cycleway (95 miles total, rideable in sections) and the Four Abbeys Route (56 miles / 90 km full loop)

Jedburgh & Teviot–Tweed Country

Why ride here? Historic abbey town with a spread of varied loops, from gentle riversides to serious climbs.

• Oxnam Loop (11 miles / 18 km, 1–1½ hrs)
  Gentle outing southeast of Jedburgh.

• Swanston & Ancrum (16½ miles / 26½ km, 1¾–2½ hrs)
  Classic undulating Borders scenery.

• Kelso & Nisbet (20 miles / 32 km, 2–3 hrs)
  A linking ride between abbey towns along the rivers.

• Oxnam & Crailing (17½ miles / 28 km, 2–2¾ hrs)
  Lanes with a bit more bite and big views.

• Jedburgh–Chesters–Hownam (31 miles / 51 km, 3½–5 hrs)
  The “big one” - wide horizons, moorland edge, long descents.

Hawick & Upper Teviotdale

Why ride here? Southern Uplands landscapes, flowing riverside roads, and a proud textile town to finish in.

• Riverside & Park (7 miles / 11 km, 45–70 mins)
  Easy loop hugging the Teviot.

• Roberton Water Loop (14 miles / 22 km, 1½–2¼ hrs)
  Quiet country lanes and burnside riding west of town.

• Vertish Hill Spin (7 miles / 11 km, 1–1½ hrs)
  Short, steep hill for views across Hawick.

• Cavers & Stobs (19 miles / 30 km, 2–3 hrs)
  Rolling countryside with history stops, including Stobs military camp.

Practical Notes

• Surfaces: Almost all on tarmac minor roads, with very low traffic.

• Average pace: 12–16 km/h (7–10 mph) moving speed — add café stops and photos on top.

• Maps & downloads: Each area has an official colour-coded PDF map (Eyemouth, Duns, Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick). Perfect to link directly for your readers.

• Waymarks: Local colour codes, plus regional signs for the Tweed Cycleway, Four Abbeys, and NCN Route 1 (Coasts & Castles).