Going up in a couple of weeks to ride Mabie etc. but really fancy doing some natural stuff as well. Are there any particular routes people have really enjoyed? Staying nr. Castle Douglas but don’t mind getting in the car to drive a reasonable distance. Thanks in advance.

Pretty limited outside forests IME. Don’t be tempted by Screel Hill – forestry work has clobbered much of it.
Loads of stuff in Kirroughtree.

Do a search on here for cairnsmore of fleet, the Merrick is a good winch n plummet, combined with glentrool blue. Good natural stuff at kirro and Dalbeattie, also some reasonable riding further north near loch doon. The Leadhills around Wanlockhead and Drumlanrig is excellent.

Is the best path up Cairnsmore the one shown on the O/S as going through Bardrochwood Moor and finishing at the summit cairn for an out and backer?

There was a thread on here recently about it FOG, somafunk is yer man.

Go see Mark in Next Level bike shop in CD for info. http://www.nextlevelbikes.co.uk/
Sam @ the Breakpad, Kirry.
Kenny @ http://www.livingstons-antiques.co.uk/
Gareth @ https://www.facebook.com/StudioVELO
ride from Sanquhar
Tues night ride @ https://www.facebook.com/AeBikeshopandCafe