4 Dalbeattie Forest It’s the granite that makes it great! The granite rock foundation of Dalbeattie forest is grippy stuff. It’s being used 2019 across the globe, from the cobbled streets 4 of London to a lighthouse in Sri Lanka. A great place to walk and there’s an Explore the Forests of adventure play area at the Town Wood entrance. The mountain bike Dumfries trails start from the 7stanes car park along the road. and the Solway Birch Trail Plantain Loch Trail Dumfries and Galloway A gentle wander through mossy pines, with A lovely walk along the tranquil shores of plenty of places to stop and sit. Look for the Plantain Loch. Look out for wildlife: red squirrels, granite sculptures. grey herons or dragonflies in summer. Wide, firm gravel surface 1 mile / Mostly firm gravel 1¾ miles / throughout. Some loose 1.6 km surface. Short rough 2.9 km stones. Long gentle Allow rocky section with Allow slopes with some short ½ hour exposed tree roots. 1 hour moderate sections. Several short steep slopes. Quarry Trail Discover Dalbeattie’s quarrying heritage at the top of the forest, where oak and beech mingle with the pine trees. Mostly firm gravel tracks. 2¼ miles / Rough section with narrow 3.7 km rocky path through trees Allow and some muddy patches. 1½ hours Steep slope to quarries. For more information Discover the forests If you have Tel: 0300 067 6900 your way... enjoyed these Email: [email protected] walks - why not try more in our Just a little in-land from the Solway coast and Southern Uplands around Dumfries, you’ll find some great forest el leaflet irr qu experiences: inspiring walks, great bike rides Red s and spectacular views. There’s an easy to follow 2 waymarked route for everyone here, whether B you dawdle, stride out, run or ride. u 1 z za rd Wildlife The routes described in this guide are mainly for walking. For our ‘7stanes’ These forests are great for spotting mountain bike routes in Mabie and wildlife; home to red squirrels, roe Dalbeattie Forests, visit: deer, badgers and buzzards. Just forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes sit or stand quietly and you’ll soon For forest walks around Ae, Moffat, Lockerbie and see or hear something of the life Thornhill, download the ‘Forests of the Southern amongst the trees, from insects to Uplands’ leaflet from: forestryandland.gov.scot birds and mammals. 4 3 Galloway Forest Park is also fairly close by, with As the forests mature and become some spectacular scenery and lots to do. Use #FoundMyForest on your forestryandland.gov.scot/gallowayfp more diverse, more niches for wildlife pictures and videos, and we’ll share open up. We’re also working to help them on social media. more vulnerable species such Mote of 1. 2019/Edition and Land Scotland-10K/21C/Aug Forestry Planning, Visitor & Design by Designed stated. unless otherwise and Land Scotland © Forestry Photography bo Pearl- rdered Mark (fort) fr iti lla as as the pearl-bordered r y fritillary and nightjar. Find out more: forestryandland.gov.scot For information on public transport services contact: Traveline Scotland, 0871 2002233 or www.travelinescotland.com 2019 © Crown Copyright 2019 n io is V B 0 a 2 d 20 g n/ er nso by Andy Parki 1 Mabie Forest Mabie is buzzing with nature, tree-mendous trails and brilliant 7stanes biking! There is open space to play and picnic with lots of trails and spectacular views. Mabie is one of the richest sites in Scotland for butterflies, some of which are very rare. Refreshments are available at Mabie House Hotel. Orchard Trail Nith View A beautiful stroll beneath the redwoods and giant Explore this quiet larch and beech dominated part sequoia along the burn to reach the tranquil sensory of the forest for ever-changing views over the garden and wildlife sculptures in Garden Wood. Nith Estuary and the rolling Galloway hills. Wide, firm surface ½ mile / Mostly wide, firm gravel 4½ miles / throughout. Includes 0.8 km surface with some uneven 7.2 km a number of short Allow sections and exposed Allow moderate slopes. ¼ hour tree roots. One short 3½ hours rough rocky section. Includes some steep slopes and a number of Chinney Field short flights of steps. A picturesque circuit of Chinney Field, which is filled with wild flowers in the summer and has good views across the Nith Estuary. Lochaber Trail Wide, firm gravel surface 1¼ miles / A wonderfully varied exploration of Dalshinnie 2.1 km throughout with some loose Loch nature reserve and the two hills above. There Sadly we are having Allow stones. Long moderate are extensive views of Criffel and the Solway Firth to fell a lot of larch trees ¾ hour slopes with short steeper from both Marthrown and Craigbill Hills. in Mabie because they’re sections. One bridge. Mostly gravel surface. 5 miles / infected by the tree disease Short sections of rough 8.1 km Phytophthora ramorum and are dying. This may look harsh earth and stone with Allow Dalshinnie Glen muddy patches. Long 3½ hours but new trees will soon be growing in their place. Do steep slopes for up to Take a wander through the Stately Douglas Firs 500m. Includes some steps and a 0.9m opening. ask us if you’d like to to find the relaxing tranquil Dalshinnie Loch. know more. Wide, firm gravel surface 2½ miles / with some uneven loose 4.0 km sections and exposed tree Allow 1¼ hours 1 roots. Moderate slopes 2019 with some steep sections. 2 The Hills Key to Maps 3 Doach Wood This quiet woodland on the edge of Forestry and Land Scotland Parking Big trees, big view! The old Douglas firs Mabie Forest is being managed to Land Parking (charge) here are a great sight: they are some of encourage the trees to regenerate Woodland Parking (easy access) the tallest trees in south-west Scotland. naturally. We’re helping native plants Other Woodland Easy access facilities to re-establish and encouraging birds like pied flycatchers and owls to nest Main road Toilets Douglas Trail amongst the young trees. Secondary road Information Minor road Walk beneath towering Douglas firs before Road/track climbing to a breathtaking viewpoint on Gaigrie r e h Hill. The view of the Solway Coast is your reward. Flycatcher Walk tc Picnic area yca Footpath Pied f Forest trails Playground Sections of uneven gravel 1¾miles / Explore this lovely ash and oak woodland, home (colour waymarked) and earth path with 2.7 km to the long-eared owl and the pied flycatcher. Viewpoint Start of forest trails exposed tree roots. Allow 1 Mountainbiking Follow the line of the former railway near the (detailed on trail maps) Some long steep slopes. 1½ hours striking Goldielea Viaduct. Other points of interest Cafe (not FLS) Loose gravel track with 1mile / some uneven sections. 1.6 km 3 One steep slope. Allow 2019 ¾ hour 2 2019 Goldielea viaduct .