2EF – The Glenkens Loop and The Wee Toon

Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – 36 / 38 mls (58 / 61 km).
Grade – Moderate/ Strenuous.
Comments – Explore a loch and river valley area one day and some moorland and the coast the next to experience the area’s diverse landscape.                                                                                                                                                                                                              Price – £145 p.p. 

Tour Features - Below we briefly list the interesting features you will find on each day of the cycling tour. Full information on where to find these features is provided in the Tour Information Pack - supplied on arrival at the welcome meeting.  Route maps and local info leaflets are included in the pack along with our suggestions on the best places to visit and also refreshment stops.
All the cycling routes have of course been selected to provide the best scenery each day between your overnight stops.

Pre - tour accommodation is in Castle Douglas.

Day 1 – The Glenkens Loop

Distance – 36 miles. Grade – moderate.
Terrain – reasonably flat first half then a hill or two on return.
Summary – An excellent cycle following the line of Loch Ken to New Galloway and other Glenkens towns and villages. Return by the Urr Valley.

Features:
Glenlochar barrage – on the River Dee with old Roman fort site nearby.
Balmaghie Kirk – great views across Lock Ken on this hilltop church.
Ken Dee Marshes Nature Reserve – with bird hides beside Loch Ken.
Red Deer – we know of a secret location detour with a stag and red deer easily seen!
New Galloway – Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh. See our info for recommended tea rooms.
The Catstrand – art centre with tea room
Balmaclellan – another hillside village with Old Mortality statue and Scotland’s only Clog and Shoe Workshop.
Corsock – village with pub.
Old Bridge of Urr – picturesque village.

Day 2 – The Wee Toon

Distance – 38 mls. Grade – moderate.
Terrain – one gradual hill to moorland.
Summary – Countryside, woodland, moorland, river valleys and coast with two popular towns to look around.

Features:
Laurieston village – with SR Crockett Memorial
Bellymack red kite feeding station – arrive at the right time to see the daily feeding spectacle. Tea and biscuits on offer!
The Gallery, Laurieston – fine photographic gallery. Limited opening, but knock on the door.
Knocktinckle Viewpoint – over the beautiful Fleet Valley NSA.
National Scenic Area – Fleet Valley National Scenic Area and a detour option which we suggest.
Gatehouse of Fleet – an interesting town beside the River Fleet with several attractions which we provide info about.
Cally Palace Hotel – pass the door and call in for afternoon tea!
Sandgreen – a bay with beach.
Cream o’ Galloway ice cream farm – a great place to stop for a refreshment. More than ice cream to experience!
Carrick Shore and Knockbrex Hill Viewpoint – a detour option we point out with views over the Isles of Fleet.
Kirkandrews Kirk – easily missed!
The Coo’s Palace – an interesting farm tower.
Borgue village – pub with limited opening hours (we provide the details)
Brighouse and Ross Bays – detour options – we outline the merits.
Dhoon Bay – a bay popular with locals.
Kirkcudbright – Scotland’s artists’ town with castle, fishing port, art galleries and the Stewartry museum. We provide an info booklet.
Rhonehouse village – home of Kelton Fair.
Threave Garden – one of Scotland’s finest gardens. Several places of interest which we advise about.
Threave Castle – ring the bell for the boatman to take you to the castle on the island.
Sulwath brewery – a small brewery and visitor centre – a good place to end the tour!
Carlingwark Loch – beside Castle Douglas.
Castle Douglas ‘food town’ – with lots of attractive independent shops.
Tour End