Galloway Forest Park at Easter

Hi,

Would this be a good idea for an Easter daddy/daughter (9) holiday? Easy trails and wildlife?

Any accommodation suggestions?

Thanks,

Mick

you have the choice of Glentrool and Kirroughtree 7 stanes trails… the Trails at Glentrool are good for the youngsters , apart from the Purple big country trail (51km in length), plenty of accommodation to be had at Glentrool and surrounding area (check Google maps), the Green and blue at Kirroughtree would suit the younger rider , as the Red/black would be to full on for them… unsure if Gentrool still has a cafe , but Kirroughtree does… also plenty of forest trails to be had , the road from Glentrool visitor centre down to Bruce’s stone at Loch Trool is worth a wee run…..Plenty of wildlife to be seen if one is quiet on approach…..LOL

It’s worth a visit to Clatteringshaws loch to see the wildlife you can feed the deer nearby  It’s also a good spot for star gazing, They’re about to start construction of a new dark skies observatory at Clatteringshaws.

Newton Stewart used to be just about my favourite place when I was growing up, it’s looking a bit tired now like many towns but it’s your nearest place for supermarkets cafes  pubs etc. I don’t know if the pub in Glentrool village is still open.

The Glentrool (blue?) loop has some pleasant singletrack and is a 30 minute xc adult blast so perfect distance for a keen kid. Think the cafe is still going and there is a new community hub / cafe / accomodation – no idea what it is like. https://www.glentroolhive.co.uk/the-coorie

Mossyard beach is good for clambering around, rockpools and sand at low tide with some accommodation. Various static caravans around that area. Google maps is probably as good as anything for finding accommodation options. We stay at Galloway View in Gatehouse of Fleet – can’t remember if the bed in their little “bothies” can be set up as twins.

As mentioned stops for wild goats and deer on the road to Clatteringshaws. There is a deer landrover safari thing at Sandyhills which is a bit spendy but also friendly cafe which is free to visit and sometimes has views of the deer.

We’ve seen red squirrels and woodpeckers on the feeders at Kirroughtree (hide on the way to old / second playground). In June I fleetingly saw the Pine Marten on Kirri red (“nutcracker” section). Also occasionally seen red squirrels biking at Dalbeattie and Mabie.

Red Kites and some other wildlife hides around Laurieston, Loch Ken and Threave.

Galloway Smokehouse has an American style diner if you want something different for burgers and milkshakes in an evening.

Im in newton stewart so if you fancy a beer shout.

Glentrools nice n quiet and has a great Blue. Theres kirro.

Plus knockman woods etc

Did that when ours were that age – Glentrool blue was a highlight as I seem to recall it having the longest downhill of the Stanes?

Kirroughtree also as above – the kids remember the red squirrels on the feeder as much as the riding.

The Barholm centre in Creetown has very reasonably priced self catering accommodation. Staff are super helpful too.

We had a good couple of days riding at kirroughtree when my eldest was about 9 riding the blue . Worth looking at a map though as there was a section that we missed out on the second day as it wasn’t that exciting and you just had to not turn left of the fire road and ride up about 50 m and that got you to the good stuff again . I’ll have a quick look and see if I can work out which bit .

Just looked at the map , we missed out the bit round larg hill .

If you get a clear night there , the view of the  sky from the campsites are amazing.

another ‘non-bike’ attraction in the area is the ice cream place at https://www.creamogalloway.co.uk/ — they used to have some sort of adventure park thing too but it’s years since I was there with my kids.

it’s a lovely area.

Just to add that we are only doing the easiest trails. Eg Perry’s Trail at Cannock and Wolf Cub Trail at Laggan.

We tried Glevlivet but that was far too steep.

I’m hoping that our confidence will improve this year now she is on an MTB instead of a Frog.

the green and blue at Glentrool will be more than doable https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/glentrool

as will the green and blue at kirroughtree  https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/kirroughtree

you can download maps of the trails on the website…..and as I said there are loads of fireroads for you and the wee one to explore…

i have stayed here a couple of times and it’s nice. we stayed in the bothy

https://www.ballochodee.com/