Tours of varying distances between 16 (25km) and 25 miles (40km)

The STEWARTRY AREA

 

This cycling distance category takes you further from our base at Castle Douglas into the former land of The Stewarts. The tours are self-led.

You can do a reasonable amount of cycling during the day with some time to stop and look around as you wish.

You are able to reach a greater area of the Solway coast and Galloway Forest Park. The popular town of Kirkcudbright is within your reach as well as a different route to the town of Dalbeattie (than the under 15 miles route) and several villages.

Below there are 8 day tours in this category from Castle Douglas, 2 from our secondary base in Newton Stewart and some 7 day tours. It is possible to cycle between both bases to make a  tour of at least 5 days including one overnight  stop on the way there and back (by a different route).

On arrival we can also advise on additional options on the daily route maps provided.

 
Taking a rest at Carrick Shore
Taking a rest at Carrick Shore

PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO

The county town of Kirkcudbright is a recommended half way stop on a round trip within this category. It is themed as an artists' town and has several art galleries as well as The Stewarty museum. It is a tourist haven on the estuary of the River Dee with several good tea rooms and restaurants.

Atrtactions to visit within this category are the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park, The David Coulthard museum and  The Galloway Hydros Visitor Centre as well as those mentioned in the Up to 15 miles category.

There is of course some beautiful Stewartry countryside to cycle through and possibly stop and savour by cycling up to 25 miles.

 
Quiet country roads
 

Please quote Route Name and Ref. No.'s which interest you in CONTACT/ENQUIRIES page.


URR VALLEY TO DOACH WOOD     Ref:  CD09
Excellent views are part of the charm of this route with a choice of pub lunch or restaurant for a midday break. The town of Dalbeattie (pop. 4000) has an excellent museum and other attractions. The Doach Wood is near to the end of your journey but a walk through the wood .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
16 miles (28.80 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

THE WEE KIRKCUDBRIGHT CENTIPEDE     Ref:  CD10
Named after a local folk song, this tour visits the town of Kirkcudbright which is ten miles from Castle Douglas, and where there are numerous attractions. Kirkcudbright, a well known artists town, has the Stewartry museum and several art galleries which are worth a visit .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
21 miles (33.60 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

AROUND SCREEL AND BENGAIRN     Ref:  CD11
Although this route takes its name from the two highest hills in the area Screel (343m) and Bengairn (391m), it is not particularly strenuous. The first part of the route follows the National Cycle Route before heading to the coast where a pub lunch can be obtained at the .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
22 miles (35.20 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

THE PARTON AND KNOCKVENNIE CIRCUIT     Ref:  CD12
The first part of this route follows the shores of Loch Ken. One of Scotland’s lesser known famous sons, James Clerk Maxwell (1831 – 1879), is buried in the churchyard here which looks over Loch Ken. As a physicist he carried out major work on electro–magnetism, .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
22 miles (35.20 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Strenuous
Duration: 1 Day

THE NINE MILE BAR      Ref:  CD13
The title of this route is an alternative name for a village which is said to have been founded by a religious sect led by the eccentric Mother Buchan in the 18th century. The undulating route on quiet roads provides some excellent views over the countryside. A roadside .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
22 miles (35.20 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

THE HAAS     Ref:  CD14

The first part of this route is along peaceful country roads and then through a farm before emerging at the top of a hill to give magnificent views over the Solway Coast. After meandering downhill for a while, a bar lunch can be obtained in the village. It is worthwhile .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
22 miles (35.20 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day


DAVID COULTHARD MUSEUM     Ref:  CD15
This is a new attraction to spring up in Galloway and is a nice distance from Castle Douglas to provide a not too strenuous day trip. Several racing cars, trophies and memorabilia make the tour a must if you are interested in motor racing. As well as the Pit Stop Diner at .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
24 miles (38.40 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

THE DEE VALLEY     Ref:  CD16
This is a particularly peaceful route which has two visitor attractions i.e. Tongland hydro-electric power station including salmon pass and visitor centre and the David Coulthard museum. Having gently descended to sea level, the homeward journey gradually rises though rich .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
25 miles (40.00 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

GATEHOUSE HALFWAY HOUSE (LINK ROUTE)     Ref:  L02
If wishing to cover the link route between Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart in two shorter stages, with an overnight stop in between, this is the first day of the two stage journey . The popular and picturesque town of Gatehouse of Fleet is the overnight stop location. .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Gatehouse of Fleet
Daily Distance:
25 miles (40.00 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

GATEHOUSE TO NEWTON STEWART (LINK ROUTE)     Ref:  L03
This is the second stage of the two day link route between Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart. There are two options to travel to Newton Stewart. This route is the longer of the two, the other being 8 miles shorter. The tour is basically a hilly route on a quiet single track .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Gatehouse of Fleet
Ending in:
Newtown Stewart
Daily Distance:
24 miles (38.40 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

NEWTON STEWART TO NEW GALLOWAY (LINK ROUTE)     Ref:  L05
This route is the first part of a two stage link route return journey back towards Castle Douglas. The route has many features relating to wildlife and nature including a wild goat park, deer range and museum. About two thirds along the route is a forestry visitor centre .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Newton Stewart
Ending in:
New Galloway
Daily Distance:
19 miles (30.40 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

NEW GALLOWAY TO CASTLE DOUGLAS (LINK ROUTE)      Ref:  L06
This is the second part of the two stage link route back to Castle Douglas from Newton Stewart for cyclists desiring a two-centre accommodation holiday. The route which generally follows Loch Ken and the River Dee, is on peaceful and quiet roads. After passing through a .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
New Galloway
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
20 miles (32.00 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

MIDWEEK TWIN BASED TOUR     Ref:  LO7

MIDWEEK TWIN BASED TOURS
Our popular midweek twin based accommodation breaks are designed for cyclists who wish to experience two different parts of Galloway but don't want the upheaval of moving accommodation places each night of the tour. This .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
Depends on half way stops or not
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 5 days or longer


MID GALLOWAY AND MACHARS MAGIC     Ref:  MB02
A 7 day tour. Daily distances range from 20 miles to 28 miles – average 24 miles per day. Terrain - Mainly coastal and countryside with hills on the later stages. This tour covers the heartland of Galloway on generally peaceful roads which are not far from the coast, .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
24 miles (38.40 km) average
Difficulty Grade:
Easy
Duration: 7 Days

GRETNA GREEN AND LOCKERBIE     Ref:  MB06
This is a 7 day tour. Average distance is 23 miles. Shortest daily distance is 20 miles with the longest being 29 miles Terrain - The first two days are relatively flat, thereafter open countryside and hills are part of each daily journey. This route is designed to cover .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
23 miles (36.80 km) average
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 7 Days

THE GALLOWAY GOURMET TOUR     Ref:  MB08
This is a 7 day break with an average daily distance of 17 miles and no day longer than 20 miles cycling distance. Terrain - relatively flat with an occasional moderate hill. The Galloway Gourmet Trail is designed for the not too serious cyclist who would like to unwind .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
17 miles (27.20 km) average
Difficulty Grade:
Easy
Duration: 7 Days

THE CIRCLE OF GALLOWAY     Ref:  MB09
This tour lasts seven days. The average daily distance is 25 miles, with the shortest being 16 miles and the longest 30 miles. Terrain - some undulating hills, but relatively flat. This route is the only route which does not begin from Castle Douglas. It is designed to accommodate .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
25 miles (40.00 km) average
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 7 Days

NATURE BASED TOURS     Ref:  MB13

There are various places of interest from a nature and wildlife point of view in Dumfries and Galloway which you can visit by bicycle. We combine a bike tour with visits to these places according to your length of tour and preferred daily cycling distance.
Brush .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
Varying
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: Varying


GENTLE GALLOWAY TOUR     Ref:  MB14

This regular weekly tour to experience the delights of Galloway is around 20 miles per day, starts on a Tuesday, and is designed for those who would like a leisurely cycling break and meet others with the same objective - subject to others booking!
The .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Castle Douglas
Ending in:
Castle Douglas
Daily Distance:
20 miles
Difficulty Grade:
Easy
Duration: 7 days


BRUCE’S STONE AND GLENTROOL      Ref:  NS10
This is a cycle tour into the spectacular Galloway hills and the Galloway Forest Park. Bordering the River Cree, the journey takes you through some picturesque countryside and forest areas before turning into the hills, eventually to reach the popular tourist attractions .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Newton Stewart
Ending in:
Newtown Stewart
Daily Distance:
25 miles (40.00 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

HIGH AND LOW AROUND NEWTON STEWART     Ref:  NS13
This route firstly traverses some of the higher ground around Newton Stewart and then to the flatter area to the south. Apart from Newton Stewart there is one village about midway on the route where a bar lunch can be had. The journey on fairly peaceful roads should be within .........[Click for more]
Starting from:
Newton Stewart
Ending in:
Newtown Stewart
Daily Distance:
22 miles (35.20 km)
Difficulty Grade:
Moderate
Duration: 1 Day

What You Get
Bed & Breakfast accommodation
- all arranged.
Welcome briefing
- your holiday explained in detail.
Tour pack
- route maps, places of interest, tourist leaflets.
Friendly help anytime
- should you need us, we will help.
Additional Services
Luggage Transfer Service
Cycle hire
- quality hybrid cycles.
Arrival and Departure Advice
Access
We are conveniently centred by the A75 Carlisle to Stranraer Road, and only a couple hours drive from Scotland's Central Belt, the North of England and the Belfast to Stranraer Ferries. Pickups can easily be arranged from Dumfries Railway Station.  Prestwick, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Carlisle and Newcastle Airports are approximately 2 hours or less away.
Please contact us to advise and assist.
For websites of places you might visit when in our area, click here.
     
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