Cycling in Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway is the home of cycling, the bicycle was invented here by Kirkpatrick McMillan in 1840, so it’s no surprise we have some of the best cycling routes in the country.

The forests of Mabie, Dalbeattie and Ae offer signposted routes to suit everyone’s taste. Families may want to opt for a quiet forest track, whilst the more adventurous can explore the many off-road routes.If you’re after adventure on your bike you’ll love the world class mountain bike centres, the 7 Stanes. Dalbeattie, Kirroughtree and Mabie Forests are already creating a buzz in the mountain biking world, with their spine tingling drop offs and spectacular single track. For further information about off-road tracks visit https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/activities/mountain-biking/7stanes

The Ken Bridge Hotel is a superb base for off-road mountain biking, with a maze of fire tracks in the forests and newly designed trails through the park and adjacent hills. The roads around the hotel are quiet and offer some excellent touring amongst wonderful scenery.

The hotel has secure storage for cycles. Bike hire is available locally.

Explore the area while staying at The Ken Bridge.

The Ken Bridge, a 10 bedroom Georgian hotel, has a spectacular river bank location close by Loch Ken, in an area renowned for its tranquility and picturesque views. This 18th Century Coaching Inn was originally built to provide food, ale and shelter for travelers and coaches on the Old Edinburgh Road between Ireland and Edinburgh.

The hotel is a superb centre for fishing, golfing, hill walking, cycling on the surrounding quiet country roads, mountain biking on the world famous 7 Stanes routes, bird watching, photography, clay pigeon shooting, field and water-sports or for simply relaxing and taking in the wonderful scenery.

We are on the edge of the UNESCO Dark Skies Park created in 2009, which at the time was the only one in Britain and only the 5th worldwide. The river beside the hotel is a seasonal host to Osprey, Kingfisher and Oyster Catcher, there is also a healthy population of Otter and the hotel gardens receive regular visits from Red Squirrels. Early risers may see deer in the meadows across the river, as well as fox and badger.

The woodland to the west of the hotel is used as a roost by up to as many as 35 Red Kite which frequently soar and wheel spectacularly over the hotel.

The Ken Bridge Hotel is ideally situated enabling you to explore the whole of Dumfries and Galloway.

Dumfries and Galloway has so much to offer from Castles and Historic attractions to numerous outdoor activities. Here are just a few to help you choose when planning your holiday.