With its coastal setting and the lack of any big hills, Dalbeattie has a relaxed feel, but the riding is far from dull - the outcrops of rock and fine views make sure of that.
The trails
There’s a broad range of trails on offer and it’s the granite rock that defines the riding here. While the green-graded Ironhash trail offers easy biking mostly on forest roads, the blue-graded Moyle Hill route will have your tyres crossing short sections of rough rock and narrow trail - but the riding is fun rather than difficult.
On the red-graded Hardrock trail things go up a gear, and the surface becomes both rougher and rockier, with several notably challenging stretches. It's the black-graded sections, however - The Slab, the Terrible Twins and Volunteer Ridge - that get people talking and the heart racing.
Recent trail building has increased the amount of singletrack in the routes and, at the trail head, a skills area with differently-graded loops gives a taste of Dalbeattie riding for those new to the area or to mountain biking. The skills trails total 1.5km in length and are on 100% singletrack.
Facilities
Parking
Car parking is available in the Richorn car park, where the trail head is located. See details of how to get to Dalbeattie by car.
Bike wash
A bike wash is on site close to the trail head.
Bike hire
MPG cycles in Dalbeattie has bikes for hire. Telephone 01556 610659 for details. Bike hire is also available from Gorsebank, near the Dalbeattie trailhead. See www.gorsebank.com or call 01556 611634.
Other facilities
Nearby Dalbeattie has a range of facilities to help you make the most of your visit.
Dalbeattie Hardrock Cycle Club
There is a regular weekly mountain bike group running at Dalbeattie on Thursday evenings, meeting at 6.30pm at the Dalbeattie trailhead. The club is open to riders of all abilities as well as Juniors between the ages of 12 and 17. Please note juniors who attend club outings must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
For more details see the Hardrock Cycle Club website.
The Dalbeattie Stane
See what are the 7stanes? for details of the Dalbeattie sculpted stane.