Glentrool

How To Get To Glentrool

Glentrool, part of Galloway Forest Park, lies off the A714 between Girvan in Ayrshire and Newton Stewart in Galloway.

The trail head is at Glentrool visitor centre.

View a map of Glentrool's location in Scotland

At Bargrennan, turn right onto the minor road and follow the signs for the Visitor Centre. After another 2km, the road forks just after Glentrool Village. Take the right hand fork. The Visitor Centre is just under 1km further along the road.

From Edinburgh, Glasgow or Girvan

From Edinburgh take the M8 to Glasgow and join the M77. Follow the M77 / A77 through Kilmarnock and Ayr to Girvan. Join the A714 just south of Girvan and follow the road for about 30km. At Bargrennan, turn left onto the minor road and follow the signs for the Visitor Centre. After another 2km, the road forks just after Glentrool Village. Take the right hand fork. The Visitor Centre is just under 1km further along the road.

By Car

Using SatNav or GPS?

The nearest postcode is DG8 6SZ. To reach the trail head, take the right hand fork just after Glentrool village and head to the visitor centre.

The Glentrool trail head OS Grid Reference is: NX371787

From Stranraer, Dumfries, Carlisle or Newton Stewart to Bagrennan

From Stranraer to Bargrennan

Take the A75 east towards Newton Stewart. Join the A714 at Newton Stewart and head north for around 13.5km.

From Dumfries to Bargrennan

Follow the A75 west to Newton Stewart. Join the A714 at Newton Stewart and head north for around 13.5km.

From Carlisle to Bargrennan

Head north on the A74 and then join the A75 at Gretna. Follow the A75 through Dumfries to Newton Stewart. Join the A714 at Newton Stewart and head north for around 13.5km.

At Bargrennan, turn right onto the minor road and follow the signs for the Visitor Centre. After another 2km, the road forks just after Glentrool Village. Take the right hand fork. The Visitor Centre is just under 1km further along the road.

From Edinburgh, Glasgow or Girvan

From Edinburgh take the M8 to Glasgow and join the M77. Follow the M77 / A77 through Kilmarnock and Ayr to Girvan. Join the A714 just south of Girvan and follow the road for about 30km. At Bargrennan, turn left onto the minor road and follow the signs for the Visitor Centre. After another 2km, the road forks just after Glentrool Village. Take the right hand fork. The Visitor Centre is just under 1km further along the road.

By Public Transport (Train)

The nearest train station is at Barrhill, around 18km from the trailhead by main road. Journey time to Barrhill is between 1hr 40 minutes and 2 hours from Glasgow, and 1hr 10 minutes from Prestwick Airport. There are direct services and some that require a change. From Stranraer, trains are direct, taking around 30 minutes, and there are rail connections to Barrhill from Troon if arriving there from Northern Ireland.

Trains to Barrhill are operated by First Scotrail. You might need to book in advance to take your bike on the train. See First Scotrail's information for cyclists.

There is a bus connection to Glentrool village and onwards to Newton Stewart from Barrhill, running 7 days a week. See travel by bus details above. There is also a station in Dumfries, from where there are bus connections onwards to Newton Stewart.

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)

Buses do serve Glentrool village, approximately 1km from the trail head, however, unfortunately bikes cannot be carried.

Kings of Kircowan runs the daily service 359 between Newton Stewart and Girvan, stopping at Glentrool village. Journey time to Glentrool from Girvan is 50 minutes; from Barrhill (for train connections) or Newton Stewart to Glentrool village is around 25 minutes. The timetable is available on the Kings of Kircowan Website.

Stagecoach West Scotland runs the no. 500 / x75 direct service to Newton Stewart from Stranraer, Dumfries and Carlisle.

There are no direct bus services from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Newton Stewart, but connections are available in in Dumfries or Girvan.

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 connections to Barrhill are available from Stranraer and Troon, as are bus connections to Newton Stewart and Girvan, for onward travel to Glentrool. (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 direct rail connections from Prestwick to Barrhill, 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 directly through Glentrool visitor centre from Newton Stewart. The distance from Newton Stewart to the visitor centre is roughly 15km.

If travelling from the station at Barrhill (see below), the B7027 offers a back road option of around 30km to join the Glentrool trail in Newton Stewart. Turn off the A714 in Newton Stewart town centre onto the B7079 at Bridge of Cree and take the first left onto Millcroft road. The trail joins Millcroft road where it becomes Cumloden Road, roughly 1km from Bridge of Cree.

Traveline Scotland

Use the Traveline Scotland box below to plan a journey to Glentrool 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.

Facilities

Catering

Glentrool Visitor Centre open from June 2013, but due to ongoing development work please check our website http://www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   http://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 23rd May 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 for the winter season 

Telephone: 01671 840302.

 

Today's Weather

Fair
39°F / 4°C

Further Information

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