Dalbeattie

How To Get To Dalbeattie

Dalbeattie lies between Dumfries and Castle Douglas at the junction of the A711 and the A710. The trail head is just over a kilometre south of Dalbeattie, at Richorn.

View a map of Dalbeattie's location in Scotland

The Dalbeattie trail map shows the location of car parks, the trail head and access points for the trails.

By Car

Using SatNav or GPS?

The closest postcode to the trail head is DG5 4QT (Little Richorn). If coming from Dalbeattie, carry on past Little Richorn to the main Richorn car park, which is where the trail head is located. If coming from the south, look out for the main Richorn Car Park (on your right) prior to reaching Little Richorn.

The OS Grid Reference for Dalbeattie trail head is: NX836590

From Edinburgh

Follow the A702 south through Biggar to join the M74 at junction 13 (Abington). Continue to junction 15 (Beattock) and turn off onto the A701 to Dumfries. See instructions above for getting to Dalbeattie from Dumfries.

From Glasgow

Take the M74 south to junction 15 (Beattock) and join the A701 to Dumfries. See instructions above for getting to Dalbeattie from Dumfries.

From Dumfries

If travelling from Dumfries, take the A711 from the centre of Dumfries to Dalbeattie (approx 20km). Join the A710 in Dalbeattie and follow it south for just over a kilometre. The trail head is on the left at the Richorn Car Park.

If travelling from the west, follow the A75 to Castle Douglas and turn off onto the A745. Follow the road for around 9.5km and then turn onto the A711 where it joins just before Dalbeattie. After about 1km, turn right at the junction onto the A710 and follow the road south to the trail head as described above.

From Stranraer

Head east on the A75 and turn off onto the A745 at Castle Douglas. Follow the road for around 9.5km and then turn onto the A711 where it joins just before Dalbeattie. After about 1km, turn right at the junction onto the A710 and follow the road south to the trail head as described above.

From Carlisle

Follow the A74 north and then turn onto the A75 at Gretna. Take the A75 west towards Dumfries and then follow the A780 through the town to get to the A711. Once on the A711, follow the directions above to Dalbeattie.

By Public Transport (Train)

The nearest station is at Dumfries, approximately 22km from the trail head (around 26km using National Cycle Route 7 and minor roads). Regular direct daily trains to Dumfries travel from Carlisle, Newcastle and Glasgow. If travelling from Edinburgh, it is easier to travel to Carlisle then change rather than going via Glasgow.

Journey times to Dumfries are around 35 minutes from Carlisle, 1hr 45 mins to 2 hours from Glasgow and 2 hours direct from Newcastle (add half an hour if changing in Carlisle). From Edinburgh, journey times vary, but the shortest trip is just over 2 hours with a change in Carlisle.

Train connections are available from Stranraer and Troon, if arriving by Ferry from Northern Ireland. Journey time to Dumfries is around 3 hours from Stranraer and 1hr 30 minutes from Troon.

Trains to Dumfries are operated by First Scotrail and Northern Rail. Bikes can be carried on these trains but space might be limited, or you might need to book. See First Scotrail's information for cyclists.

National Rail Enquiries' Virgin Trains provides an intercity service that runs through Carlisle for connections to Dumfries.

For further information on rail travel in Scotland and throughout GB see www.nationalrail.co.uk. The site also has general information about taking your bike on trains in Britain.

By Public Transport (Bus)

The 501 service, run by Stagecoach West Scotland provides regular daily buses to Dalbeattie from Dumfries and Castle Douglas. Please note that bikes cannot be carried on these services.

There are regular buses to Dumfries from Stranraer, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Carlisle. Check with individual operators to see whether bikes can be carried.

For bus journey planning in Scotland see www.travelinescotland.com or use the box at the foot of this section. For bus travel from other parts of GB and NI, see www.traveline.org.uk.

By Ferry

From Northern Ireland, there are ferries to Stranraer from Belfast, and to Troon and Cairnryan from Larne. Train and bus connections to Dumfries are avalable from Stranraer, and a train connection to Dumfries is available from Troon (See train and bus details, above).

See www.stenaline.co.uk and www.poirishsea.com for more details.

By Air

The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Glasgow Prestwick. There are rail connections from Prestwick to Dumfries taking around 1 hr 30 minutes (changing in Troon or Kilmarnock), and car hire is available at the airport.

For more details of flights, see the Glasgow Prestwick airport website.

By Bike

National Cycle Route 7 runs through both Dumfries and Castle Douglas. It joins the B794 at Haugh of Urr, (5km from Castle Douglas, 20km from Dumfries) which leads through Dalbeattie town to the trail head, around 8km distant.

Traveline Scotland

Use the Traveline Scotland box below to plan a journey to Dalbeattie using public transport in Scotland. You'll need the postcode of where you're starting from.

See www.travelinescotland.com for other options or www.traveline.org.uk if coming from elsewhere in GB & NI.

Disclaimer

These are suggested routes only, using the most direct routes available.

Trail Conditions

Updated on 17th May 2012. 

Trails: All Open

 

Conditions: Normal.

 

Diversions: None. However please note there will be timber lorries using the forest roads so please give way to them and never pass a lorry while it is loading unless signalled to do so by the operator.  Road surface on the green route between waymarker posts 59 - 61 is uneven due to the forest machinery using it so please take care in this area.

 

More info: call the FC ranger service on 01387 860247.

Today's Weather

Mostly Cloudy
48°F / 9°C

Facilities

Catering

Nearby Dalbeattie has a range of facilities to help you make the most of your visit.

Parking

Car parking is available in the Richorn car park, where the trail head is located and costs £3 per day

Toilets

Toilets available 400 metres past trailhead at Gorsebank.

Bike Hire

A bike wash is on site close to the trail head.

MPG cycles in Dalbeattie has bikes for hire. Currently open from 9am - 5pm Mon-Fri, and 10am - 5pm on Saturday. Telephone 01556 610659 for details. Bike hire is also available at Gorsebank (400 metres from trailhead) and is open 7 days. Call 07814 501214 or visit www.gorsebank.com for more info.
 

Further Information