dalbeattie

Located near the coast, Dalbeattie has a great range of tracks given that there isn’t a huge amount of elevation to be found. The most famous feature is a 14m-high lump of granite called The Slab – venture onto the red-graded Hardrock trail and you’ll soon find yourself rolling down it. It’s the expanses of rock that really define the riding here.

essential info

FACILITIES Bike wash, pay-and-display parking, toilets. NEARBY BIKE SHOP MPG Cycles, Dalbeattie, 01556 610659, www.mpgcycles.co.uk Gorsebank (bike hire, on site), 07814 501214, www.gorsebankglamping.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.7stanesmountain biking.com GETTING THERE Dalbeattie is about 13 miles from Dumfries, on the A711. The car park is a short way south of the town. Postcode: DG5 4QU

the trails TASTER LOOP 4km TASTER LOOP 4km IRONHASH 11.5km

An easy ride into the forest. Fairly flat, and ideal for beginners who want to get a feel for what mountain biking has to o er. Mostly on forest roads, the green trail does include two small sections of singletrack.

MOYLE HILL 14km

While not that technical, the blue trail is a good introduction to riding on the granite prevalent in these parts. The loop is a reasonable length and allows you to take in some great views. HARDROCK 25km The Hardrock is a classic red route, with plenty of singletrack and some challenging black-graded features to negotiate too. While the rocky surface is still really grippy in the wet, you need to watch your lines on the lumps of granite.