A pleasant undulating 21.5 mile route from Lanark to Thankerton, passing under the shoulder of Tinto hill, Lanarkshire's highest hill.

Known as the Hill of Fire , the cairn at the top is visible from many parts of this route.

Start at Lanark Station. Turn left on the B7017 briefly, and at the roundabout take the second exit onto the A73 Hyndford road (though an immediate left turn after the station into Whitelees road, and then right into Home street, avoids the busier traffic for a short section - it re-emerges onto the cycle lane on the A73). Follow the A73 past Lanark Loch (Via point 1 - 1 mile) and the disused racecourse and market, straight on (still on the A73) through the Cameronians roundabout, and descend to the centuries old Hyndford bridge. Cross the bridge and turn right and immediate left on to the roadside cycle path. (Via point 2). Climb steadily to a junction with a signpost indicating the Cycle Route to Biggar and turn left here on the quiet Devonside road, heading west.

Drop down into Carmichael village, and come to a crossroads. Ignoring the sign for Kirkfieldbank, go straight on here through Carmichael, turning right just before the daunting hill in front of you. Bear left at the fork with the sign for the fishery (6.3 miles).

Follow this delightful quiet road, directly under the shoulder of Tinto hill, and glide down into Fallburn - take care with the cattle grid at the car park! The famed rustic Tinto tearoom is on your right at the crossroads. If it's open Myra may welcome you and give you the local gossip. Don't believe the tales of the Lanarkshire Water Board men who come here for lunch. They are all kid-on merchants.

Cross the A73 with care here, straight ahead into Thankerton village - ignoring the sharp left turn onto Perryflats road. Swing right through Thankerton and up, turning sharp left over the railway bridge ("Boat road" - Via point 5). Ignore the right turn over the Clyde but just keep straight on here and go through the tiny hamlet of Covington. Look out for the thatched cottages on your right - and also the quaint tin-roofed cottages. (12 miles).

Follow this road (noting the ruins of the intriguingly named Fatlips castle on the left near Via point 6). Keep straight on, bearing left to cross the railway bridge then immediate right (signed for Pettinain). Follow this road to a T-junction with Grange road and turn right, (14 miles). Turn left at the end beside the farm onto "Tie Road 2" (it is bollarded off so there is no through traffic except bikes). Drop down then a short low gear climb up (convenient roadside bench here if you need a breather). Cross the Clyde and keep straight on into Carstairs Junction, turning left at the junction with the delightfully-named Strawfrank Road - which becomes Station road). (Via point 7).

Passing the station, bear right over the railway again and swing back left to follow Carstairs road to Carstairs village. Pass the pleasant village green with shops and a pub (Via point 8) and come to the junction with the A743, and turn left on it. Follow the A743 back into Lanark. If you prefer to avoid the traffic on the relatively busy A743 you can turn right (signed for Cleghorn, through Cleghorn village to Cleghorn bridge and go left at the traffic lights here). Then an immediate left onto Stanmore road for a climb taking you back to the A743 at the edge of Lanark.

On the A743 drop down into Lanark and turn sharp left at the lights at the top of the High street to return to the station. (21.5 miles - allow 2 hours 20 - 2 hours 30 minutes, but without any stops it should take around 2 hours plus).