Review for Glentrool Mountain Bike Trail Centre

Tibbort:

Glentrool. I guess its the Stane that most people avoid, largely because there is no red graded trail, and it the most remote western Stane of them all. We stayed at a nice campsite in the village (Glentrool Holiday Park), riding Dalbeattie on the way there and Mabie on the way home to keep things interesting. The trail centre is 10 minutes ride from the campsite. We knew there were some diversions in place due to logging- this is due to be completed August 2014. However, this made navigation difficult. Starting the big country route we were soon diverted by some "helpful" workers, and we found ourselves doing the route backwards. This didn't matter, and i think it is actually a better way to complete the ride- all the major climbs are done early, followed by a mellow country lane ride back to the finish. You just have to keep an eye out for signs facing backwards and take a gamble as to which is the right way. We did notice that on the road sections there is very little in the way of signage. This route has over 2500ft of climbing and is 58km but the views of the lochs makes it worthwhile. This isn't a ride through random firetracks deep in the forest as i'd thought- it takes you high out onto the moors above the tree line (which is where the axehead Stane is)- but maybe wait until the logging's finished before tackling it. The blue route is short and can be done in just over half an hour of riding- there is plenty of winding singletrack before a great bermed finish. Kirroughtree is just down the road (20 minutes by car) so stay nearby and do both over a weekend.

Something for beginners and those with stamina great final descent on blue