Mountain Biking in Southern and Central Scotland

Southern and Central Scotland is well known for its trail centres, but beyond the 7stanes and the Tweed Valley lies an extensive network of tracks, forest roads, hill paths and ancient byways that offer some of the most varied free-range mountain biking in Britain. From the rolling Lowther Hills and remote Galloway Forest to the Campsie Fells north of Glasgow and the Lammermuirs east of Edinburgh, there are plenty of opportunities to explore by bike.

Covering 21 graded cross-country routes across the region, this Cicerone guidebook by Peter Edwards ranges from 17 to 66km and takes in some of Scotland's most diverse riding terrain. Routes are intended for experienced mountain bikers with a reasonable degree of fitness, graded moderate, hard and very hard, and accessible from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

• The 21 circular routes are organised into three areas: Southwest (Dumfries and Galloway, Galloway Forest, Lowther Hills), Southeast (Tweed Valley, Lammermuirs, Cheviots, Pentland Hills) and Central (Campsie Fells, Kilpatrick Hills, Glasgow waterways)
• Highlights include the Glentrool and Galloway Hills loop, the Tweedsmuir Hills Natural Tweed route, the Pentland Hills rollercoaster, the Campsie Fells circuit via Dumgoyne and Earl's Seat, and the Lowther Hills loop via Durisdeer and Daer Reservoir
• The famous 7stanes trail centres in Dumfries and Galloway are covered in a dedicated overview section, including Glentress, Innerleithen, Kirroughtree, Newcastleton, Ae, Mabie, Dalbeattie and Glentrool, alongside other regional trail centres
• Route descriptions are accompanied by 1:50,000 OS mapping, with practical information on getting there, navigation, rights of way and access, and a note that the general lack of waymarkers in Scotland makes navigation more of a challenge than in other parts of the UK
• Appendices cover bike shops and mechanics across the region, alongside introductory chapters on equipment, maintenance, safety, food, hydration and when to go

A thorough guide to free-range mountain biking across Southern and Central Scotland, from Galloway to the Campsie Fells. There are more trails here to explore than visitors initially realise.

Seasons

Dry weather is hard to guarantee in Southern and Central Scotland though summer is the likeliest time for dry trails. However, every season has its charms - so long as rain and mud doesn't scare you - and winter really can be a wonderland.

Centres

Glasgow, Milngavie, Greenock, Lochwinnoch, Glentrool, New Cumnock, Moniaive, Durisdeer, Wanlockhead, Sanquhar, Hownam, Kirk Yetholm, Peebles, Traquair, Innerleithen, Longformacus, Gifford, Balerno.

Difficulty

The routes are intended for mountain bikers with at least some experience and a reasonable degree of fitness. There are no 'easy' routes in this guidebook, hence routes are graded 'moderate', 'hard' and 'very hard' Any 'difficult' or 'technical' sections are indicated.

The general lack of signposts and other waymarkers endemic to Scotland makes navigation more of a challenge than in other parts of the UK

Must See

The Campsie Fells, the Pentland Hills and the Lammermuirs, the Galloway Forest, the Tweed Valley, the Cheviots and the Lowther Hills of Dumfriesshire.

Emergencies

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

Mountain biking in southern and central Scotland

About the routes in this guide

Centres

Getting there and getting around

Accommodation

When to go

Safety

Equipment

Tools and maintenance

Navigation

Hydration

Food

Rights of way and other users

Maps

How to use this guide

Abbreviations and symbols used in the route descriptions

The 7stanes

Ae Forest

Dalbeattie

Glentress

Innerleithen

Kirroughtree

Newcastleton

Mabie

Glentrool

Other trail centres

Drumlanrig Castle

Carron Valley

Cathkin Braes

Whitelee Wind Farm

Southwest

1Durisdeer, Daer Reservoir and Wedder Law

2Lowther Hills loop

3Shinnel Water and Scaur Water loop

4Carrick Forest Four Lochs loop

5Glentrool and the Galloway Hills

6Windy Standard loop

Southeast

7Belford to Cocklawfoot: Windy Gyle loop

8Kirk Yetholm and the Pennine Way

9Minch Moor and the Three Brethren

10Stake Law and the Gypsy Glen

11The Tweedsmuir Hills: Natural Tweed

12The Lammermuir Hills: Longformacus and Wedder Lairs loop

13Gifford and the Hope Hills

14The Pentland Hills: a rollercoaster route around the reservoirs

Central

15Misty Law

16Greenock Cut

17Kilpatrick Hills loop

18The Campsie Fells: Dumgoyne and Earl’s Seat

19Mugdock Country Park loop

20Carbeth – Cameron Muir loop

21Glasgow waterways loop

Appendices

Appendix ABike shops and mechanics

Appendix BOther useful contacts