2CD – The Scottish Riviera and Galloway Kite Trail
Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – Both 30 mls (48 km) with longer options.
Grade – Easy/Moderate.
Comments – Stay in Castle Douglas and explore the area with these two interesting circular day tours with different terrain. Price – £140 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 Scottish Riviera
Distance – 30 miles. Grade – moderate.
Terrain - A couple of hills with a flat second half.
Summary – Cycle to the coast today to a popular swimming beach, then to a National Scenic Area before climbing Orchardton Tower on your way back. We suggest a good lunch pub stop.
Dalbeattie – pop. 4000 – several features including excellent local museum and ‘7 Stanes’ mountain biking trailhead nearby.
Sandyhills Beach – expansive beach and recreational area - extra miles longer option.
Mersehead Nature Reserve – on a detour route – run by RSPB - on extra miles longer option.
Needle's Eye - a rock formation at an easily missed nature heritage area - worth a quick visit.
Colvend – small visitor centre, shop and nearby craft farm.
Rockliffe – old fashioned village on the coast with excellent tea room, gallery and hotel.
Mote of Mark – former pre 7th century citadel of Celtic Chieftains with commanding views.
The Muckle Hill and Jubilee Path – another viewpoint and popular path. We also point you to an interesting house garden full of driftwood and stone features.
Kippford village – a popular yachting village. We recommend a popular pub food location.
Dalbeattie – another opportunity to visit.
Palnackie – a former busy port beside the River Urr with a visitor attraction nearby.
Orchardton Tower – a 15th century tower house – the only round one in Scotland.
Sulwath brewery – a small brewery and visitor centre with tours – a good place to end the tour in town!
Carlingwark Loch – at the edge of Castle Douglas.
……and if not visited on arrival day,
Threave Garden – one of Scotland’s finest gardens. Just outside Castle Douglas and on a cycle route.
Threave Castle – ring the bell for the boatman to take you to the castle on the island – again just outside Castle Douglas.
Castle Douglas ‘food town’ – a popular shopping centre with lots of attractive independent shops.
Day 2 – The Galloway Kite Trail
Distance – 28 miles. Grade – moderate.
Terrain – Reasonably flat.
Summary – A quiet road to Ken Dee Marshes Nature Reserve beside Loch. An option to extend the tour to a river beauty spot or nearby town (another 5 mls). Visit the red kite feeding station at Bellymack Farm at feeding time before following the River Dee back to Castle Douglas.
a higland coo in a field near Loch Ken
River Urr estuary at KippfordGlenlochar barrage – on the River Dee.
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 (a detour) – Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh. See our info for recommended pubs and restaurants.
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 – stunning photographic gallery. Limited opening, but knock on the door.
Longer options to visit New Galloway and villages on the way back.
Tour End
