100 Climbs Route: Day 16, Penrith to Leadhills

In August 2018, three Cycling UK members - Dominic Millar, Graham Salisbury and James Findlater – cycled a 3,300-mile, 29-day route around Britain to take on all 100 hills featured in Simon Warren’s book ‘100 Greatest Cycling Climbs’. This route plots day 16 of the journey, 112 miles from Penrith to Leadhills, taking in the climbs of Hartside and Mennock Pass. 

A proper day of transnational cycle touring – rather than pure hill hunting - lies ahead, as the route takes you out of England and into Scotland.

Cumbria has one parting gift for you, though. Soon after leaving Penrith the route heads into the North Pennines at the village of Melmerby, where you’ll face Hartside. It’s smooth and not super steep but - at almost five miles - it’s certainly long enough, offering you the opportunity to get a nice steady cadence ticking over and enjoy the views of the Lakes in the distance.

With Hartside conquered, it’s time to get some fairly straightforward miles in your legs. First, head around the north of Carlisle, passing through every romantic eloper's favourite destination at Gretna Green. Then you’re over the border into bonnie Scotland.

The route mirrors the A74(M) to Millhousebridge, then heads west cross country to pick up the A76 at Closeburn. You’re deep in castle territory here, with Morton Castle quite close and Drumlanrig Castle very near the route if it’s open and you fancy a visit.

Follow the River Nith as far as Mennock then turn north-east for our second and final challenge of the day: Mennock Pass. At more than six miles long, and with scenery that equals even yesterday’s Lakeland spectacles, this is a climb worth waiting for. It also has the distinction of bringing you out at the highest village in Scotland, Wanlockhead.

Enjoy the sense of satisfaction that comes with that little bit of trivia as you pedal the last stretch to Leadhills.