Galloway Forest Gravel Circuit

About this route

Galloway Forest Park is Britain's largest forest park, and it was the UK's first International Dark Sky Park. Its forest roads give gravel riders long, quiet riding through conifer plantation and open moor between the A712 near Murray's Monument and Clatteringshaws Loch and the remote interior to the north and west.

The one named section worth building a ride around is Raiders' Road, a 10-mile two-way forest drive that Forestry and Land Scotland opens to vehicles from April to October and to walkers, cyclists and horse-riders all year. This page has not been traced, so it publishes no loop, distance or ascent: plan your own line on OS Explorer 318 or the FLS park map, and check FLS notices for timber operations first.

Highlights

• Raiders' Road — a forest drive open to cyclists all year, beside the Water of Ken
• Clatteringshaws Loch
• Dark skies — Galloway Forest Park was the UK's first International Dark Sky Park

Route notes

Not a traced route — plan your own line. Raiders' Road is open to vehicles from April to October, so expect cars on it in those months; it is open to cyclists all year. Timber lorries have priority on forest roads, and FLS posts operational closures at forest entrances and on its website. There is no campsite at Caldons any longer — FLS runs only a car park there.

Seasonal conditions

Midges can be severe in still, damp weather from June to August; May and September are usually better. Forest roads drain well, but some tracks are muddy after sustained rain.

Water sources on route

• Forestry burns (treat before drinking)

Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.

OS map sheets