We’re off up to stay in Dalbeattie next week, so wondered which of the local Stanes are worth it.
I’ll prob do an early start and pedal to Dalbeattie trails one morning, I think we’ll also be in Mabie on one afternoon.
Just looking across the others and looked like Kirrochtree might be a good bet for me.
To consider: 7yr old who can prob manage blue run with me. 3 year old on balance bike but could prob still just fit on one of those front bike seats. Wife not massively keen on riding but will prob do an afternoon.
So; which trails are best bang for my buck if solo and which are best for whole family (trails/infrastructure/bike hire/alternative activities)?
Appreciate any advice.
Cheers
From Dumfries itself, Dalbeattie, Mabie and Ae are your closest, Kirroughtree is a decent drive away.
'Worth it' depends on what you're after. Dalbeattie red is headlined by the big rock slabs, but it's a decent loop. The Blue is decent fun I'm told, I've not ridden it myself.
Mabie red is more old-school XC than Dalbeattie but still a good fun ride. It'd be my preference if I was out for a solo spin.
Ae blue is good fun, I've ridden sections that are a good giggle. Ae red is a laugh but long and pretty rough in places.
Still a lot of storm damage and trail closures - Dalbeattie has diversions ATM, I think Mabie is mostly open. Not sure about Ae, it was badly hit though.
Dalbeattie trails are still being cleared from storm damage.
The taster loops are open plus the majority of the blue but with diversions. Lots of the singletrack sections of the red is still covered in fallen trees and genuinely unrideable and needs a bit of knowledge to skip around on forest roads, not sure when will be officially open.
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/dalbeattie
Mabie is open but with diversions
Kirroughtree is where we take visitors with kids because is a short fun blue which can do laps of whilst younger ones can sit in cafe when tired
Mabie is open but with diversions
We were considering Mabie over the Easter weekend, how extensive are the diversions? Might we be better advised to consider Glentress instead? Haven't ridden either for about a decade
We had a good time at Kirrouughtree when my boy was about 7 and the youngest was 3 . We did the full blue on day 1 and on day 2 we did the blue again but cut out the fire road section to make it a bit Shorter . 7 year old was on his own bike and the youngest was on the shotgun seat , bit of towee use as well.
The kids loved the playpark at kirro visitor center as well.
Definitely worth checking on the situation locally re windblow and closures/diversions.
Dalbeattie (marked red) is fun but bits probably beyond most 7yr olds. When fully open it's a nice varied and scenic round with enough technical bits to make it interesting, and some very very good off piste bits accessible (see strava/trailforks for locations, also in various woods nearby) - worth checking local shop to see what the situation is. The taster loop will be ideal for your 7 year old - a couple of potentially challenging bits depending on what they are used to but pretty fun (if very short). You can get a 3yr old round on a balance bike IME but it's slow generally and you'll want to tow them up to the top. The longer green (?) is mainly forest track and undulating so might be a bit tedious.
I prefer Dalbeattie marked route to Mabie and Ae, but both the latter have some excellent unmarked stuff worth seeking out (I know some of Mabie was affected by harvesting, some of Ae's are in recently clearfelled so i'd guess relatively unaffected by the storms - ask in the shop). Not taken the kids to Ae or Mabie (yet) so would be interested in how they are if you decide to go.
Having holidayed within 3 miles of it, I visited Drumlanrig a few times and highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: can't compare any other 7Stanes centre!
Forest singletrack, varies quite a bit with options for roots, drops etc... a nice jumpy (but rollable) section with a great looking hip jump that I'm not good enough to do properly 😊
Massive scary drop at the end with a rollable (if steep) chicken line to the left.
Lots of other more child friendly route options as well.
Drumlanrig trails are currently closed due to storm damage and I think heard is unlikely to reopen.
Mabie is OK with diversions still some of the good sections open, it had felling on sections before the storms so got away with less damage than Ae and Dalbeattie.
Glentress seems to have had most of the clean up work first so I think is fully open although haven't ridden recently to know for definite
Dalbeattie core path is now cleared between town and the trailhead so if staying in the town then could have a cycle down through the town wood from the old primary school to the taster loops to make into more of a family cycle
Thanks all for the tips, especially the local storm damage updates. Real shame that Dalbeattie main trail looks closed but at least could get the eldest down there from our accommodation.
I like the sound of Kirroughtree (blue trail for all of us, park and cafe, red/black run for me) but as it’s the furthest away might need to find something else nearby to entertain whilst I get a couple of solo hrs riding.
Glentrool green/blue is fun if a bit climby for small legs
Mossyard beach is about 10-15mins drive down the road from Kirroughtree and always good for kids. Or goats and red deer up Queens Drive.
Glentrool green/blue
When do the midges hatch? Been chased away before.
Not biking but the walking trails in Dalbeattie are good with kids. Ours loved the walk to the small loch to see the ducks. On bikes I think we did the green route but 3 up on the tandem. Beaches and coast path are also good. Also Threave castle near Castle Douglas. Walk through the nature reserve and then you have to get a boat across the river as it's on an island so feels like a big(ger) adventure.
Dalbeattie (marked red) is fun but bits probably beyond most 7yr olds.
Would agree with this. Ours enjoyed various places fairly young but the littleun didn't like DB