Dalbeattie

A mountain biking classic with gorgeous lochside trails

The Plantain Loch is a real highlight in this quiet, easy to explore forest beside the town of Dalbeattie. Pause at the lochside to watch ducks and dragonflies. Or discover soaring sculptures amongst the trees.

The best place to start is the Dalbeattie Town Wood car park. The forest here is a mix of deciduous and conifer forest, creating green link between the town and coast.

Dalbeattie is also one of the 7stanes mountain biking centres. It’s renowned for its challenging granite slabs. If you're here to explore on your bike, head to the 7stanes Dalbeattie car park.

Framework for recreation investment at Dalbeattie

During spring/summer 2024, we consulted with many stakeholders (local people, FLS staff, visitors and organisations) on the future for the recreation offering in and around Dalbeattie Forest. We listened and learned from everyone and are delighted to publish the final draft document. 

Framework document

Walking trails

Dalbeattie route card (PDF)

Walking

Birch Trail

A gentle wander through mossy pines, with plenty of places to stop and sit. Look for the granite sculptures.

Wide, firm gravel surface throughout. Some loose stones. Long gentle slopes with some short moderate sections.

1 miles / 1.6 km

Allow ½ hour

More information

This scenic trail winds through different types of woodland. The route was built by the Dalbeattie Forest Community Partnership.

Walking

Plantain Loch Trail

A lovely walk along the tranquil shores of Plantain Loch. Look out for wildlife: red squirrels, grey herons or dragonflies in summer.

Mostly firm gravel surface. Short rough rocky section with exposed tree roots. Several short steep slopes.

1 ¾ miles / 2.9 km

Allow 1 hour

More information

This trail meanders between the conifers to Plantain Loch, which appears as if by magic through the trees. Rest a while beside the loch and enjoy spotting wildlife from the view point. Watch out for waterfowl with their chicks in spring and colourful dragonflies and damselflies in summer. On the way back there are lovely views over the loch’s glittering waters.

Walking

Quarry Trail

Discover Dalbeattie’s quarrying heritage at the top of the forest, where oak and beech mingle with the pine trees.

Mostly firm gravel tracks. Rough section with narrow rocky path through trees and some muddy patches. Steep slope to quarries.

2 ¼ miles / 3.7 km

Allow 1 ½ hours

More information

Local granite was renowned around the world for its hardness, and is evident in dramatic outcrops all along the route. The quarry used to be one of the main sources of granite for the local community, and its stone has been used for streets and buildings across Britain. Today it’s overgrown with thick mosses and ferns, providing shelter for wildlife.

Mountain biking trails

Dalbeattie is renowned amongst the 7stanes trail centres for its technical trails, granite features and great views, and there’s a trail here for everyone. Hone your technique at the skills area then choose your route into the forest.

Dalbeattie 7stanes route card (PDF)

Mountain Biking

Ironhash Trail (diverted)

Grade – Green: Easy 7 ¼ miles / 11.5 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade - Green: Easy  
Expect relatively flat, wide, and smooth trails. Gentle climbs, descents, rollers and berms, with easy to avoid features such as rocks and potholes. Surface might be loose, uneven or muddy at times.

The Ironhash trail provides an easy ride deep into the heart of the forest, mainly on forest roads. It's ideal for getting a flavour of mountain biking. Enjoy an easy ride into the heart of the woods, followed by a short uphill climb to impressive views over Dalbeattie. Perfect for beginners or children.

A trail notice is in effect

The trail is closed between Post 69 and Post 70/71 (Cloak Cut). Please follow the diversion along the forest road.

Mountain Biking

Moyle Hill Trail

Grade – Blue: Moderate 8 ¾ miles / 14.0 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade – Blue: Moderate  
Expect relatively flat, wide, and smooth trails. Gentle climbs, descents, rollers and berms, with easy to avoid features such as rocks and potholes. Surface might be loose, uneven or muddy at times.

Get ready to rock and roll, on this fun trail which delivers some cracking views. An ideal introduction to 7stanes singletrack and the granite rock that Dalbeattie is famed for. There are sections with rocks and roots, plus some steady uphill climbs – all rewarded with beautiful views of the Urr estuary.

Mountain Biking

Hardrock Trail (diverted)

Grade – Red: Difficult 15 ½ miles / 25.0 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade – Red: Difficult  Expect a mixture of steep climbs, descents and / or avoidable features. Larger jumps, berms and rollable features at controlled speed. Technical features such as tree roots, drop-offs and large rocks. Very variable surfaces.

Step it up a gear on this challenging route with its rougher and rockier surface. Take a ride on miles of singletrack and be prepared for some challenging features along the way. There are optional black-graded sections if you feel like testing your technical ability. The Slab is the star of the show – this fabled section of sheer granite lies at a steep angle and offers a thrilling experience.

A trail notice is in effect

The trail is open with diversions in various places:

• Road to Nowhere is closed due to severe windblow. Please follow diversion from Post 36 to Post 42.
• Spooky Wood II is closed due to severe windblow and Jacob's Ladder is closed due to forest operations. Please follow diversion from Post 54 to Post 41 and on Post 38 to access The Hyperlink via the forest road.
• There is also a short diversion in place from Post 76 to Post 83.

Please follow all signage. 

Activities

Wildlife watching

Plantain Loch, in the heart of Dalbeattie’s Town Wood, is a great place to spot wildlife. In winter, look out for different species of gulls and ducks. Summer is when grey herons nest in some of the lochside trees and little grebes’ nest amongst the reeds. Dragonflies and damselflies put on a show here on warm summer days too. Keep an eye on them zooming around close to the water's surface. One of the easiest to spot is the iridescent Common Blue Damselfly.

Facilities and access

Viewpoint

Mountain biking

Wildlife hide

Walking

Picnic area

Parking (charge)

Easy-access facilities

Stay the Night

There are public toilets, shops and plenty of places to eat and drink at nearby Dalbeattie.

Car parking information

Dalbeattie 7stanes car park

Payment can be made by coin, card or RingGo

• £1.50 for up to 1 hour
• £2 for up to 3 hours
• £3 for all day
• £12 for minibus or coach all day

Dalbeattie Town Wood car park

Payment can be made by coin, card or RingGo

• £1 for up to 1 hour
• £2 for up to 3 hours
• £3 for all day
• £10 for minibus or coach all day

Blue Badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.

Annual parking passes are available for this site, visit our parking page for more information.

Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our Forest Search.

More about parking

Stay the Night 

Our Stay the Night scheme now runs right through the year. This means self-contained motorhomes and campervans will be able to park overnight at the 7stanes car park.

There is a £10 charge to Stay the Night at this car park. Payment can be made through RingGo with details of how to do this at each car park.

To help plan your stay, please see the details below:

• Height barrier – No
• Motorhome capacity of car park – 4
• Suitable for large vehicles/caravans – No
• Parking notes - Stay the Night only available at the 7stanes car park - see map for details. Please leave a 4m gap between other motorhomes.

Please visit our Stay the Night page for full details, participating locations, best practice, and terms and conditions of use .

Stay the night

Getting here

Dalbeattie lies between Dumfries and Castle Douglas at the junction of the A711 and the A710.

From Dumfries, take the A710 via New Abbey towards Colvend (Coast Road) for the mountain bike trails, head for the 7stanes Dalbeattie car park. You will find it on the right about 3/4 mile (1.2km) from Dalbeattie.

For the walking trails, go past the 7stanes mountain bike trail car park about 1/4 mile (1/2km) towards Dalbeattie, the Town Wood car park is on the right.

An alternative and slightly shorter route from Dumfries is the A711 via Cargenbridge/Beeswing then take the A710 when you get to Dalbeattie just before the school and look for signs to Town Wood/7stanes. The car park is on your left after about 1/2 mile (800m).

For the mountain bike trails, head for the 7stanes car park you will find it on the left about 1/4 mile (1/2km) past the Town Wood car park.   

Using SatNav?

DG5 4QU is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Dumfries is the nearest railway station, and there are regular buses from Dumfries to Dalbeattie. You’ll find details at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions