Good place to ride and camp in Scotland?

ross_mcculloch

I live in Glasgow and a mate and I are thinking about heading away for the weekend to take in a few trails and do a spot of camping (rogue or on a site). Ideally we're after somewhere close(ish) to a train station as neither of us drive.

Any suggestions?

woodywmb

Arecleoch Forest, south Ayrshire. Train to Barrhill and cycle to forest one mile away. From there trails lead to Galloway Forest and a network of tracks, hills and lochs. Southern Upland Way is also a feature. You could pedal for a month and still not see half ot it. Trains go from Glasgow to Ayr where you change to join Girvan-Stranraer line.

ross_mcculloch

That sounds perfect! Any idea if there's a decent campsite nearby or is it rogue camping all the way?

woodywmb

There are plenty caravans and tents dotted around Loch Doon. It's owned by the local authority and so no permission is required.

This bothy is on the Southern Upland Way at Laggangarn, six miles from Barrmill Station. Sleeps 10. Watertight and is in better nick than it looks. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/633259

Here's another. This one was loaded with food and booze the last time I was there. You could even camp outside it. South east of Loch Doon

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/277889

Here is an official site quite a bit away at Loch Ken:

http://www.visitsouthernscotland.com/ac ... ionid=3486

You need to check these on OS map - but there's millions of acres of open space.Galloway Forest is biggest in Europe.

ross_mcculloch

Excellent info mate! I think this one looks like a goer.

Now I just need some nice weather...

jimh_123

You could also try one of the 7 stanes circuits. The one at AE south of Dumfries is good. I got the train from glasgow to Dumfries then cycled out to centre. It took me about 20mins. to cycle. There's a camp site on the site as well so its an excellent base for a cracker week end of cycling. The campsite is good, they can cook you your meals and there's even a suna and hot pool for you to use.

link to the trail centre is:
http://www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/achs-5rnfq9

Campsite link:
http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide ... /home.html

ross_mcculloch

That's an excellent idea, the facilities sounds great.

woodywmb

A sauna, hot pool and meals cooked for you? Hardly the great outdoor adventure!!!

Having said that, Ae with its new trails, bike shop and cafe, is worth visiting. Hope it gets the support it needs.

jimh_123

The facilities are there IF you want to use them. But for me, being a true adventure junky, I rubbed sticks together to make my fire, hunted for wild boar and showered using the sweet morning dew!!

It is a good trail centre though and i'll defenitely be back to try my new bike on it. My last attempt was me bouncing and falling along on my fully rigid machine. But now with a bit of suspension I cant wait to tackle it again.

BoardinBob

There's a decent wee loop round Loch Bradan with a track half way round that will take you to Loch Doon

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Loch-Bradan-Loop

And some pics I took a few years ago