UP TO 15 MILES (25km)

AROUND CASTLE DOUGLAS
 

This is the shortest milage category.

These tours below are self-led and suitable for cyclists who wish a little cycling each day but also experience time in the countryside, coast, beauty spots or visitor attractions of the area.

Our base Castle Douglas is ideally situated with quiet country roads radiating in all directions from the town. The Solway coast can be reached within this distance as well as Loch Ken and the edge of the Galloway Forest. 

We have 8 tours within this distance from Castle Douglas and similarly 4 tours from our secondary base in Newton Stewart. It is possible to cycle between both bases to make a week's tour with 2 overnight  stops on the way there and a midway stop on the way back with just over 15 miles distance between some of these linking legs. See also the Midweek twin based tour and 7 day tour.

Apart from our listed tours, on arrival we can also advise on additional options on the maps provided.
 

PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO

Although up to 15 miles is a relatively short distance to cycle, it allows plenty of time to stop and look around. The town of Dalbeattie and several villages, some which have pubs and do bar lunches are within this distance.

Also accessible near to Castle Douglas is Threave Castle operated by Historic Scotland and Threave Gardens operated by The National Trust for Scotland.

We have a nice route to Ken Dee Marshes, a water and woodland nature reserve. You pass Balmaghie Kirk which sits on a hill and overlooks Loch Ken.

The Galloway Kite Trail feeding station near Laurieston is also accessible and certainly worth a visit to be there at 2pm each day to view the red kites swooping down to the bird tables to be fed.

There are also several woodland walks in the area which can be reached by cycle within this distance.

 
 

Please quote Route Name and Ref. No.'s which interest you in CONTACT/ENQUIRIES page.
ROON THE LOCH     Ref:  CD01

Passing Lochside Park on the shores of Carlingwark Loch, this relatively flat tour takes a wide sweep around Carlingwark Loch at the south end of Castle Douglas. Continue past the cuckoo bridge with fields on either side, ahead offers views of the hill range of Screel .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 5 miles (8.00 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
AROUND GREENLAW     Ref:  CD02
 This tour is a local jaunt around the hinterland of Castle Douglas. It passes through rich farmland with several roadside cottages along the way. It is also suitable for a pleasant evening cycle. .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 6 miles (9.60 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
THE FORD     Ref:  CD03
 This is a nice half day leisurely ride. There are panoramic views as you go downhill to the Urr Valley where real ale and good food are available in the village pub, hosted by Wullie who will look after your every need. After a visit to a country church the River Urr is .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 8 miles (12.80 km)
Difficulty Grade: Strenuous
Duration: 1 Day
AROUND THREAVE CASTLE     Ref:  CD04
 Lots to see on this countryside tour around the outskirts of Castle Douglas. The River Dee is crossed on two occasions. The route also passes through three small villages. There are views of Threave Castle (not accessible from this point) before passing beside Threave Garden, .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 8.5 miles (13.60 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
OLD BRIDGE OF URR AND THE HAUGH     Ref:  CD05
 This is a peaceful countryside route going not too far from Castle Douglas to the Old Bridge of Urr settlement and then broadly following the River Urr. Different return routes are available but a pub lunch and real ale are available on the return journey. .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 9 miles (14.40 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
THE CROWS NEST PASS     Ref:  CD06
 This tour gets its name from the excellent Crows Nest restaurant at the extremity of the tour which is open all day and popular with cycling tourers. The first part is undulating with a rise to the top of a hill, then the quiet road goes downhill to gain views of the River .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 13 miles (20.80 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
THE LAURIESTON LOOP     Ref:  CD07
 This is a pleasant route that first of all follows the edge of Loch Ken where a bird nature reserve is worth a visit. An excellent village pub is on hand to serve a pub lunch. On the return route a quiet road follows the line of the River Dee before visiting two villages, .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 14 miles (22.40 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
THE DURHAM AND HAUGH LOOP     Ref:  CD08
 Although of a relatively short distance, there are two hilly parts which make this pleasant countryside cycle of moderate difficulty. The route passes through no less than five villages with the last having a first class pub which is popular locally for its excellent food .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 15 miles (24.00 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
GLORIOUS GALLOWAY – EASY AND INTERESTING     Ref:  MB05
 This is a 7 day tour, with daily distances between 8.5 (last day of tour) and 19 miles, the average being only 12 miles per day. Grade - Easy Terrain - Generally flat with some gentle rises. This tour has been chosen to suit the novice cyclist who would like to travel some .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Castle Douglas
Ending in: Castle Douglas
Daily Distance: 12 miles (19.20 km) average
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 7 Days
MINNIGAFF AND PENKILN BURN     Ref:  NS04
 Whether as an easy part-day route or even an evening jaunt, this circuit is not too far from Newton Stewart. Once into the countryside the single-track road rises slightly before following approximately the line of the Penkiln Burn, which originates in the Kirroughtree forest .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Newton Stewart
Ending in: Newtown Stewart
Daily Distance: 7 miles (11.20 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
THE CHALLOCH AND BISHOP BURNS     Ref:  NS05
 This is a pleasant countryside cycle of a nice length. Apart from the two named burns (small rivers), the River Cree bounds the east side of the route. This is a suitable morning or afternoon jaunt with time left to spend in Newton Stewart or on another of the shorter tours. .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Newton Stewart
Ending in: Newtown Stewart
Daily Distance: 15 miles (24.00 km
Difficulty Grade: Moderate
Duration: 1 Day
NEWTON STEWART CIRCUIT     Ref:  NS06
 Initially following the riverside for a mile or so into the country, this route returns to the highest part of Newton Stewart which provides extensive views of the Galloway Forest park and Cairnsmore of Fleet (710m). This is an easy and pleasant cycle ride which gives a .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Newton Stewart
Ending in: Newtown Stewart
Daily Distance: 4.5 miles (7.20 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
Duration: 1 Day
KIRROUGHTREE     Ref:  NS14
 Using part of the National Cycle Network route to avoid most of the busier A75 road, this tour uses the same route for both outward and return journeys. At Kirroughtree there is a Forest Enterprise Visitor Centre, walking and mountain biking routes as well as a tearoom/restaurant. .........[Click for more]
Starting from: Newton Stewart
Ending in: Newtown Stewart
Daily Distance: 8 miles (12.80 km)
Difficulty Grade: Easy
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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