Big Country

Big Country Stats

Grade: NG - Variable
Distance: 58Km
Singletrack: wholly on minor roads and forest roads
Estimated Time To Ride The Route: 3.5 - 7 hrs

**Big Country Route: Diversion in place from post 34 to post 39. This will last for 6 months. Between markers 8 and 13 and markers 37-38, there is timber by the roadside. Please take extra care around this area and obey any signage.**

Broaden your horizons!

Providing a day-long ride into the heart of the Galloway hills on a mix of quiet back roads and forest roads. Don’t be misled by the absence of technical singletrack, as this is a challenging day in the saddle, with testing climbs and big descents. Magnificent views of lochs and hills contrast with sheltered woodlands.

Loch Trool to Borgans

Starting at Glentrool Visitor centre, the route heads towards Loch Trool on tarmacked road, before crossing a bridge over the Water of Trool at Caldons, taking you onto forest road. Heading south west, the trail passes several old quarries before joining up with the minor road at Borgan.

Newton Stewart to Talnotry Hill

From Borgan, the road follows the path of the River Cree towards Newton Stewart, then leads back towards the forest. Steady climbing takes you away from civilisation and about 6km after Newton Stewart the tarmac ends and you're back onto forest road. Joining the Old Edinburgh Road, you meet up with the Kirroughtree Black Route at Talnotry Hill, allowing an extension to the ride for those looking for a truly huge and varied day out.

Black Loch, Millfore and Craigencallie - the day's big ascent

After Talnotry hill, the trail takes you past the rushing waters of the Grey Mare's Tail Burn, with a possible detour on foot down stream to see the carved stone heads of 'The Quorum' and the crashing water of the waterfall beyond. Continuing along the road you soon arrive at the Black Loch and the chance to rest a while and ponder on the concept of the cone-shaped tile structure 'The Eye' (it has a spy hole through its base) before tackling the major climb of the day.

The route ascends 200m as it winds round the side of Poultrybuie hill and the flanks of Millfore, then offers a fast and furious descent below the Buckdas of Cairnbaber to Craigencallie.

The heart of the Galloway Hills

From Craigencaillie, easy forest road leads you deep into the heart of the Galloway hills with extensive views over Loch Dee and to Silver Flow to the hills beyond. At Loch Dee the route joins up with the Southern Upland Way for a stretch.

You are now well above your starting point and it’s time to enjoy the long descent back into Glentrool. Pass the head of Loch Trool and rejoin the minor road by Buchan Bridge. Enjoy the views over Loch Trool on your way back to the visitor centre after an epic day out.

Visitor Comments

Steve

09/06/13

Signage signage signage. Please sort it. It's not just glenrool, any time there are diversions no one really thinks about signage. Don't forget we travel fast on a bike, sings need to be big bold and clear. Sort it please.
Great ride btw.

Paul Haynes

03/06/13

Just got back what a trail could do with some single track trail but still an epic ride !!

toothfairy

28/04/13

SIGN POSTING MUST BE SORTED OUT ASAP
Purple markers ended at 10 then restarted at 41. Diversion signs not clear (except one at Grey Mares Tails which was turned round) If we had not been local we would of be lost...
Extremely hard going even for a couple of fit riders. Please be aware of lack of mobile phone signal up in the forest.
Having said all that, great day out for the fit.

Sarah and Lee

27/02/13

Came a bike ride, hubby loved it, I thought I was going to die and the midges loved snacking on me. But was a CHALLENGE and enjoyed the views and in particular the sight of the car at the end :-)

raymond miller

10/12/12

good challenge, weather not great at end marker signs not great,will come back better weather.

zinan

10/12/12

done route on 8/12/12 weather ok at start closed in at the end a challenge not good marker signs only bad point

Adrian While

24/07/12

Wow - a really challenging ride today, but some of the diversions were a little poorly signposted. However loved it although I'm really tired now. Just over 4 hours of the most challenging ride I have ever done, but the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. Not bad at almost 50.

maddog

14/07/12

Started at Callateringshaw centre went round the far side of the loch and met the trail above craigencallie up past loch dee lunch at grentrool and finish back at Clatteringshaw 40mls 4hr 10 mins not bad for two old codgers ( both 59 )

Tony

20/06/12

Brilliant, awesome, knackering. Made a special trip to do the big one on Bank Holiday Monday, great sense of acheivement for me at 55 and Robbie at 14.

Kenny

04/05/12

Completed on 03/05/2012 in 3hrs 45mins. Epic route fantastic weather and awesome views. Nuff said!

PiperBryce

28/08/11

Good challenging route, weather closed in at Black Loch though and made the run in quite a slog on the soft track and a strong head wind from Loch Dee. Gladly do it again though. 3hrs on the hybrid.

Matt

04/06/11

Tiring - it would be useful if they provided a trail profile for this, so you can see the extent of it. Some big long climbs after 30k, but really enjoyed it. going to bed now ;)

The Doctor

14/05/11

Done it on Fri 13th May, 2hrs 25mins, flat out most of the way, not bad for a road riders first go at offroading - its awsome!!!!!

Cycling Viking

12/03/11

Excellent day out in the quiet, fresh air of the Galloway hills. Well worth the effort required.

Richard

10/10/10

Had a great but tiring day doing this in about 5.5 hours. Not as young as we once were. Really enjoyed the view at the Giants Ax head Stane.

Harry

25/07/10

excellent route. takes you right into the heart of the galloways. great varied scenery and absolute peace and quiet. some good long climbs and a storming descent that goes on for ever. just under 4 hours. it may not be single track but who cares when you've got scenery like that. as for doing it on a tandem.....that big descent must of been mental : )

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Facilities

Catering

Forestry Commission Scotland is currently tendering for businesses to run the catering at all the visitor centres in the Galloway Forest Park.

We are hoping to get caterers in at Kirroughtree as soon as possible and at Clatteringshaws and Glentrool once the centres are fully open, hopefully at the end of July.

In the meantime, if you are visiting Kirroughtree, you can still get light refreshments from the Breakpad bikeshop.
We apologise for any inconvenience whilst the construction work to upgrade and build all the centres is carrying on. We promise to keep the website up to date to keep everyone informed of any changes. www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark

Nearby Newton Stewart also has a good selection of places to eat and drink.

Parking

Car parking is available at Glentrool Visitor Centre. Parking costs £2 per day.

Toilets

Works are still on going at the visitor centre and the new toilet block.

Bike Hire

There is a seasonal bike hire service from The Break Pad, Tel 01671 401303 or contact www.thebreakpad.com for more details.

Bike hire also available from Courtyard Cycle Hire on Tel 01671 830286 or contact www.courtyardcyclehire.co.uk.

Kirkcowan Cycles sell bikes and offer a repair service, Tel 01671 830286 or contact www.kirkcowancycles.co.uk

Trail Conditions

Current at 18th June 2013.

Trails: Open with diversions, see below.

Conditions: Good.

Diversions: Diversions on the Purple big country route from the Caldons road end at marker 50 to marker 13. Please follow the main road from the Caldons to the Brogan. At marker 34 to 39 the trail is diverted the back onto the main road round by Clatteringshaws loch due to harvesting at the black loch.

Other: Glentrool Visitor Centre : Closed

Telephone: 01671 840302.

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