7 Stanes first timer...riding and camping advice please!

Iain C

(Apologies to any PistonHeads readers as I've posted there too)

Me and the missus are thinking of heading north next week and doing some of the 7 stanes...we've not been before and we'd appreciate some advice!

-Is it worth it? We're Midlands based, Wales is only 3 hours away but we've done most of those trails now...is it worth the extra mileage? (We'll be stopping at the Lakes too to drop in on some friends, will probably do Grizedale whilst we are there)

-Where to stay? We'll be camping, keen to avoid "lots of rules, noise, kids, caravans, no fires" campsites, basic showers and nice views/nice atmosphere is more our thing, ideally centrally located fairly near the trails, with a pub not a million miles away in case it's hosing down! Could either stay at one site for a week and drive to the trails each day or move halfway through the week if it gives us more options. Want to try and keep the driving mileage down when we are up there if possible.

-Where to ride? Red or sensible black (like Llandegla's) routes and singletrack are what we like (surprise surprise), not fussed about massive jumps/parks or full on Fort Bill style DH. Our fave Welsh trail is Climach-X but we also like "out there" stuff like Nant-y-Arain or Penmachno when we're after a more relaxing ride with some views.

-Any other must do's? We'll probably not want to ride every day, is there anything else that well worth a look in the area, rainy day contingency plans etc?

Any information gratefull accepted!

Thanks!

papasmurf.

Iain C wrote:

-Is it worth it?

Yes

Iain C wrote:

-Where to stay?

Can't comment about camping, but dumfries area covers most bases with not too long a drive for a day over at glentress\inners.. castle douglas area is my recommendation.

Iain C wrote:

-Where to ride?

As much of it as you can cram in.. Kirroughtree is a must. Also plenty of non trial centre stuff around to find, but I'm sure someone from scotland on here can give you more details on that.

miss notax

Definitely worth it - my other half and I had 4 days up there a month or so ago and it was fab. The red routes are great, Dalbeattie was my favourite

We were due to go back and were going to stay at the Mabie House Hotel and the Glentress Hotel - there is cheaper accomodation available, but we like spending our days mountain biking and our nights on a comfy bed with a good restaurant nearby 8)

dave_hill

Iain C wrote:

-Is it worth it? We're Midlands based, Wales is only 3 hours away but we've done most of those trails now...is it worth the extra mileage? (We'll be stopping at the Lakes too to drop in on some friends, will probably do Grizedale whilst we are there)

Yes, yes and thrice yes!!! Miles better than the Welsh centres IMHO

Iain C wrote:

-Where to stay? We'll be camping, keen to avoid "lots of rules, noise, kids, caravans, no fires" campsites, basic showers and nice views/nice atmosphere is more our thing, ideally centrally located fairly near the trails, with a pub not a million miles away in case it's hosing down! Could either stay at one site for a week and drive to the trails each day or move halfway through the week if it gives us more options. Want to try and keep the driving mileage down when we are up there if possible.

Try Lochside Camping at Castle Douglas. It is a municipal camping area but the facilities are reasonable and it's only five mintues walk/stagger from the pub (Douglas Arms on King Street or the Castle Hotel on Queen Street if you can stand tartan carpets and golf bores) and an absolutely stonking Chinese restaurant called the Jade Palace.

Alternatively, the Mabie House Hotel at Mabie Forest (right nest to the trails, literally 50 yards away) has camping pods - like insulated wooden tents, just take your bedding. They also do special deals on B&B for MTBers which may be worth considering if the weather isn't looking too rosy.

Iain C wrote:

-Where to ride? Red or sensible black (like Llandegla's) routes and singletrack are what we like (surprise surprise), not fussed about massive jumps/parks or full on Fort Bill style DH. Our fave Welsh trail is Climach-X but we also like "out there" stuff like Nant-y-Arain or Penmachno when we're after a more relaxing ride with some views.

The character of the 7 Stanes is quite different to the Welsh centres. I can't recommend Mabie and Dalbeattie enough - quite compact and "bijou" but offering a decent challenge with some stunning surroundings. My favourite though is Kirroughtree, plenty of riding to be had, the Black stuff is hard enough to be a challenge but nto so difficult to be off-putting and the Northern loop is in some of the most spectacular Scottish scenery South of Glasgow

Iain C wrote:

-Any other must do's? We'll probably not want to ride every day, is there anything else that well worth a look in the area, rainy day contingency plans etc?

There is so much to do in the area it isn't true - I've been visiting for over 30 years and there's still new stuff to do. If you like history and archaeology there's everything from neolithic long-barrows at Cairn Holy near Gatehouse to stone circles, castles, you name it. Kirkudbright is the Artist's Town and is full of galleries; there's a Red Kite feeding centre at Belliemack near Laurieston; a deer centre at Clatteringshaws; the Gem Rock centre at Creetown, which is also steeped in "Wicker Man" lore - if you visit the Creetown Arms Hotel you can lean on the same as Edward Woodward did in the film; go lookign for wild goats the New Galloway park; visit John Paul Jone's birthplace at New Abbey (the founder of the US Navy and renowned privateer); the Scottish National Museum of Costume at Shambellie House; and shed-loads more. You can't go wrong!!

LDNTrailRider

It's so worth it you won't believe it!

Kirroughtree was my fave but they're all awesome and all different. Do as many as you can.

There are plenty of B&B's in Dumfries and some that specifically cater for cyclists. It's a bit of trip to Glentress/Inners from there but it's a very scenic drive.

You won't be disappointed.

*EDIT*

Sorry, didn't see you wanted to camp.

Iain C

Guys

Thanks very much for your input, much appreciated. I think the plan is to head up on Saturday and camp near Peebles, and do Glentress Sunday and Innerleithen on Monday. Take a day off Tuesday and have a nose round Edinburgh, head over towards Newton Stewart on Weds via riding Dalbeattie, and hit Kirroughtree Thursday, drive to the lakes Friday, and stay there and ride/walk Sat/Sun and head home.

Sound sensible?

dave_hill

Iain C wrote:

Guys

Thanks very much for your input, much appreciated. I think the plan is to head up on Saturday and camp near Peebles, and do Glentress Sunday and Innerleithen on Monday. Take a day off Tuesday and have a nose round Edinburgh, head over towards Newton Stewart on Weds via riding Dalbeattie, and hit Kirroughtree Thursday, drive to the lakes Friday, and stay there and ride/walk Sat/Sun and head home.

Sound sensible?

If you're staying near Peebles, it might be worth considering doing Ae or Drumlanrig (not a 7 Stanes centre but good nontheless) instead of Dalbeattie. It's a bit of a detour to take in Dalbeattie on a run from Peebles to Newton Stewart. Also bear in mind that there are no facilities at Dalbeattie - just a car park.

lexiekay

+1 for Drumlanrig - its really good and very different from the 7stanes trails. I also really enjoyed Ae - did them both in one day and it was definitely doable. Nice cafe and bike museum at Drumlanrig too!

The trip I did was
Day one - Kirroughtree
two - Glentress and Innerleithen
three - Drumlanrig and Ae
four - Dalbeattie and Mabie

I'd have to say that Dalbeattie and Mabie were my least favourites, but possibly cos I was really tired by then!
Stayed in Mathrown of Mabie bunkhouse which was very nice, just up the track from the Mabie hotel mentioned above.