Outdoor Activities
Activities which we have developed are available directly from the Park, or we have formed links with nearby specialist operators to ensure that during the day those who wish to be active are able to do so without disturbing the serenity of the Park. This ensures a wholesome blend of activity and peace. We have been awarded the David Bellamy Conservation award for our work
Click to see a copy of our Activity Guide
There is also plenty to do outdoors in the local area
Cycling
Our ‘Activities' leaflet at the Park details most routes in the local Dalbeattie Forest and trails commence just 300 yards from the Park entrance.
Dalbeattie Forest, one of the 7 Stanes is accessed only 300 metres from the Park entrance. In all there are over 17km of cycling trails linking Dalbeattie to Colvend, Sandyhills and Kippford; these three villages being just a short ride outside the Forest itself.
Gentle Family Routes are suitable for the whole family, with clearly marked trails, leaflets are available at Reception. We will happily advise on alternative cycle areas, many only a few miles from the Park.
The 7 Stanes are a group of 7 forests especially developed for cycling in the area providing the South & West of Scotland with arguably the most varied and finest cycling in the UK. One of our local routes has been named in ‘Mountain Bike Rider' as amongst the 10 best rides in the world! 17km of Hard Rock trails including the famous ‘Slab' are amongst the finest anywhere, and only 5 minutes ride from the Park. We offer a washdown point and a small climbing ‘traverse' wall for those still with energy to spare!
Fishing
We have a leaflet at the Park listing most local fishings, however.....
Coarse Fishing is available 2 miles away at the Barean Loch in Dalbeattie Forest. Access to this is by foot or bike through the forest, or by car and a ½ mile walk from Colvend. This loch has some fine pike. Between Dalbeattie & Dumfries just 15 minutes away Cowans Loch is known for its Carp, Tench and Roach.
Salmon, Trout and Sea Trout may all be found in the river Urr which flows through Kippford. It is a beautiful river with an active Angling Association. To the east, the Nith and Annan, or to the west the Dee, Fleet and Cree all offer further sport.
Tackle Shop McCowans & Sons in Dalbeattie (01556 610270) sells a good range of tack & licences, and will provide detailed information on the above and other fishing available in the area.
www.mmccowanandson.co.uk
Walks
© Leeming + Paterson Photography
© Leeming + Paterson PhotographyOur ‘Activities' leaflet details the three main walking areas around the Park, however without leaving our own land you can enjoy a 600 metre woodland walk (dogs permitted off a lead). Walking through our lovely woods you may see our breeding population of Red Squirrels. From the top of our ‘Doon' hill you have views over 10% of the length of Britain, from 50 miles to the south over the Solway Firth into the Lake District hills, and 30 miles north into the Galloway Hills!
Click Here to download our activities leaflet
Kippford & Rockcliffe a forest and coastal walking area. The round trip takes around 1 ½ to 2 hours and offers wonderful views, including the ‘Muckle' and ‘Mote of Mark' a 5th centaury hill fort with marvellous views of the ‘Rough Firth'!
[Route Map]
Dalbeattie Forest highly regarded by walkers and cyclists alike, this is one of the ‘Seven Stanes', Southern Scotland's famous forest areas. It is continually being upgraded by Forest Enterprise and has a large selection of walks with many fine views, commencing just 300 meters from the Park entrance.
Sandyhills to Rockcliffe Coastal Path described as one of the finest coastal paths in Britain, with views over the Solway to Cumbria and the Isle of Man. Mostly a clifftop walk but with some lovely bays at lower levels this is a strenuous 3 hour walk - we suggest doing part of it first, or have either a car at each end, or use the local bus (regular stops) for a welcome lift home. This coastline offers many other beautiful walks, as featured in the TV programme ‘Coast' including the ‘Mersehead' wetland wild life reserve with a long dune walk - a complete wildness experience!
[Route Map]
The Galloway Forest Park has many different walking routes from easy to moderate to hard. It is a fantastic place to explore with some of southwest Scotland's most dramatic scenery.. There are also thre visitor centres situated within the park where you can find out more about the park and enjoy light refreshments.
You can find the Leaflet for walks in The Galloway Forest Park here: Click to download a copy of the leaflet
You can also find a list of all the avalaible walks by visiting the website: www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark
For more walking routes in Dumfries and Galloway visit Dumfries and Galloway Walks at www.walkhighlands.co.uk/galloway/ which provides detailed routes and maps for visitors to the area.
Have Children? Why not visit one of the nearby Treasure Trails, routes and details can be found at www.treasuretrails.co.uk under Southwest Scotland.
Just a few more ideas... You could also go for a walk on the Threave Estate, either to Threave Castle, the circular walk around the estate or through the Gardens. Mersehead just five minutes down the road is also a good spot...
Watersports
Kippford Village has a marina and slipway. The Solway Yacht Club has a temporary membership scheme for visiting dingy sailors and has excellent facilities. Visit www.thesyc.co.uk for more information. Prices for use of the slipway are listed on www.kippfordslipway.co.uk
If you want to try your hand at Kayaking, Canoeing, Sailing, Windsurfing or Powerboating you could try the Galloway Activity Centre on Loch Ken about an hours drive from the holiday park. They also provide Outdoor Laser Quest, Archery, Mountain Biking, Orienteering and Climbing/Abseiling. Equipment hire is also available from the centre as well as a cafe on site.
www.lochken.co.uk
There is also a water ski school on Loch Ken, visit www.skilochken.co.uk for more information.
Driving
The Top Gear Magazine crew recently explored the roads in our area and wrote a five page article about their journey.
"The Galloway Forest is Britain’s first officially recognised Dark Sky Park - a region with such low light pollution that you can see every star, asteroid and probe-fingered alien orbiting the night sky. The boots of our roadster are packed with telescopes for stargazing later, but, while the sun’s up, the forest serves up an equally stellar offering: the finest roads I’ve ever driven in the UK"
Top Gear Magazine (January 2012)
Our ‘Breakout' leaflet in reception lists seven good half day and full day drives, to help holidaymakers find most places of interest on their travels around our lovely area.
Close by the Colvend Coast to ‘New Abbey & Mabie Forest' or the ‘Threave Castle Gardens' and Castle Douglas offer two choices where driving times may be limited to just an hour, while ‘Kirkcudbright' and ‘Gatehouse of fleet' offer a further two choices with drive times of just a little longer, although our suggested routes can make these into easy full days out.
Central Galloway The ‘Rivers & Hills' trip or ‘Glen Trool' would generally be full day tours of around 70 miles each; allow 2 to 3 hours drive time as there is lots we have mentioned for you to see and do.
To the East and North Our ‘Historic Borders' trail offers a choice of three routes including Moffat, Gretna, Drumlanrig Castle, and wild ‘Border Reivers' single track roads over the hills. Edinburgh (and Glasgow) are just two hours away so a trip to Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Yacht Britannia, or the Burrel Collection is quite feasible.
