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About Galloway Forest Park
Welcome to the Galloway Forest Park, 300 square miles of mixed landscape - yours to explore!
- Our visitor centres at Kirroughtree, Glentrool and Clatteringshaws are ideal places to start your visit.
- Check before you go - for details of trail closures, diversions and changes to listed events see the updates page.
Read our blog!
Keep up to date with what's happening in the park through our blog.
Newsletter
To get updates on events in the park, sign up to our newsletter.
Walking
Enjoy a peaceful stroll on one of our woodland trails, or if you fancy something a little more strenuous, head out to the hills and climb the Merrick, south Scotland’s highest peak.
Details of all of our Forest Park walks are in our out and about guide (PDF 5Mb). With 27 waymarked trails to choose from, there is something for every walker.
Wildlife
Galloway has some of Scotland’s most amazing wildlife - but without the long drive north! Red Squirrels, Otter, Pine Marten, Black Grouse, Golden Eagles, Red Deer and even Nightjar. For more details see our wildlife page.
Dark skies
Galloway Forest Park has some of the best dark skies in Europe - ideal for star gazing. There's more information and details of our aim of becoming a Dark Skies park on the Dark skies page.
Fishing
There are some fantastic lochs and rivers here, all in beautiful surroundings, featuring a variety of fish from Brown Trout to Salmon.
With permits from £6.00 it’s a great way to spend the day. For more details see the fishing page in the Galloway Ranger.
Wild camping
Wild camping in the Forest Park is permitted as long as it is done responsibly and in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Canoeing
Looking for a place to canoe? Details at www.canoescotland.com and on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website.
Mountain biking
Some seriously amazing mountain bike trails are here in Dumfries and Galloway. From beginner to adrenaline seeker, there is something for everyone. See the 7stanes website for more information.
Jobs and opportunities
We agree, the Galloway Forest Park is a great place to work. For details of all the Forestry Commission's available jobs see the current vacancies page.
Anything else?
Have we missed anything? Please let us know if there's something you can't find. Email: galloway@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
How to get there:
Newton Stewart, New Galloway, Gatehouse of Fleet, and and Dalmellington and Castle Douglas are the nearest towns or villages.
From the South - M6 to Carlisle, A75 to Newton Stewart signposted to Stranraer.
From Glasgow - A77 to Girvan, A714 to Newton Stewart or A77 to Ayr, A713 to New Galloway.
From Edinburgh - A702 to Abington services, M74 to Beattock. A701 to Dumfries. A75 to Newton Stewart.
OS Grid Reference: NX428855
For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com
Start your visit from:
Wild Goat ParkBarhill Wood
Red Deer Range
Bennan Wood
Laurieston - Kennick Burn
Cally Wood
Glentrool Visitor Centre
Polmaddy
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre
Whitefield Loch
Kilsture
Knockman Wood
Camer Wood
Penninghame Pond
High Camer wood
Galloway Forest Drives
Carrick - Loch Doon
Kirroughtree Christmas Tree Sales Centre
What's on in Galloway Forest Park
March
- Red mountain bike skills weekend Saturday 13 March 2010 to Sunday 14 March 2010
- SXC Sunday 21 March 2010
- Women’s mountain bike tuition weekend 2 Saturday 27 March 2010 to Sunday 28 March 2010
April
- Easter Bike Academy session Saturday 3 April 2010
- Easter at Kirroughtree Sunday 4 April 2010
- Up with the Lark? Wednesday 7 April 2010
- Wood is good! Thursday 8 April 2010
Sunday 2 May 2010 - Bats are great! Friday 9 April 2010
- Wildlife recording day Tuesday 13 April 2010
- From red to black Mountain bike skills course with Mark Wilcox Saturday 17 April 2010 to Sunday 18 April 2010
Facilities:
Activities:
Contact:
Lucy Hadley
Recreation Ranger
01671 402420
e-mail: lucy.hadley@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Been here, done this? What did you think?
Tell us what you think of this wood.
User Comments
17/Dec/2009
You're right, we should be doing more to promote access by public transport where possible. One of the reasons we use the Traveline link is that it would be a big task to keep the public transport access details up to date for all our woods and forests (around 300 in Scotland), so directing users to a source like Traveline makes it more manageable. That said, there is more detailed information about public transport access to Kirroughtree and Glentrool at http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6XQM2A and http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6XQFVE.
20/Nov/2009
16/Nov/2009
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