Sit back and enjoy the view

Douglas Trail

Walk beneath towering Douglas firs beforeclimbing to a breathtaking viewpoint on GaigrieHill. The view of the Solway Coast is your reward.

Sections of uneven gravel and earth path with exposed tree roots. Some long steep slopes.

1¾ miles /2.7 kmAllow1½ hour

3 Doach Wood

1 Mabie Forest

Nith View Trail

Explore this quiet beech dominated part of the forestfor ever-changing views over the Nith Estuary and the rolling Galloway hills.

Mostly wide, firm gravel surface with some uneven sections and exposed tree roots. One short rough rocky section. Includes some steep slopes and a number of short flights of steps.

Lochaber Trail

A wonderfully varied exploration of Dalshinnie Lochnature reserve and the two hills above. There areextensive views of Criffel and the Solway Firth fromboth Marthrown and Craigbill Hills.

Mostly gravel surface. Short sections of rough earth and stone with muddy patches. Long steep slopes for up to 500m. Includes some steps and a 0.9m opening.

4½ miles /8.1 kmAllow3½ hours

5 miles /8.1 kmAllow3½ hours

Orchard Trail

A beautiful stroll beneath the redwoods and giantsequoia along the burn to reach the tranquil sensorygarden in Garden Wood.

Wide, firm surface throughout. Includes a number of short moderate slopes.

Chinney Field Trail

A picturesque circuit of Chinney Field, which is filledwith wild flowers in the summer and has good viewsacross the Nith Estuary.

Wide, firm gravel surfacethroughout with some loose stones. Long moderate slopes withshort steeper sections. One bridge.

½ miles / 0.8 km Allow¼ hour

1¼ miles / 2.1 km Allow¾ hour

Big trees, big view! The old Douglas firs hereare a great sight: they are some of the tallesttrees in south-west Scotland.

Walk through the cracking Douglas fir in Doach Wood

Mabie’s buzzing with nature: tree-mendoustrails and brilliant 7stanes biking! There’sopen space to play, picnic and barbecue, lots of trails with spectacular views andtoilets; refreshments are available at MabieHouse Hotel. Mabie’s one of the richest sitesin Scotland for butterflies, some of which arevery rare. There’s an amazing mix of trees,from ancient oaks to spruce seedlings.

Dalshinnie Glen Trail

Take a wander through the stately Douglas firs to findthe relaxing tranquil Dalshinnie Loch.

Wide, firm gravel surface with some uneven loose sections and exposed tree roots. Moderate slopes with some steep sections.

2½ miles / 4 km Allow1¼ hours

Sadly we’re having to fell a lot of larch trees in Mabiebecause they're infected bythe tree disease Phytophthoraramorum and are dying. This may look harsh but newtrees will soon be growing intheir place. Do ask us if you’dlike to know more.

Flycatcher Trail

Explore this lovely ash and oak woodland, home tothe long-eared owl and the pied flycatcher. Follow the line of the former railway near the strikingGoldielea Viaduct.

Loose gravel track with some uneven sections. One steep slope.

1 mile /1.6 kmAllow¾ hour

2 The Hills

This quiet woodland on the edge of MabieForest is being managed to encourage thetrees to regenerate naturally. We’re helpingnative plants to re-establish and encouragingbirds like pied flycatchers and owls to nestamongst the young trees.

Key to Maps

Goldielea viaduct

Pied flycatcher

A view over the Solway

It’s peaceful in the old railway cutting

Forinformation

on what’savailable from

ForestryCommission

Scotland inthe rest of

Dumfries &Galloway,

please contact

the addressat the top.

Forestry Commission ScotlandDumfries & Borders Forest DistrictAe Village, Parkgate, Dumfries, DG1 1QBTel: 0300 067 6900E-mail: dumfriesborders@forestry.gsi.gov.ukWeb: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

For more trails inthe area - look out for: The Forests of theSouthern Uplandsand also theTweed Valley ForestPark leaflets

Contact 1

For information on public transport services contact:Traveline Scotland, 0871 2002233 orwww.travelinescotland.com

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If you need this publication in analternative format, please contact: The Diversity Team

Tel: 0300 067 5000Email: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

If you have enjoyed these walks - why not try more in our Southern Uplands leaflet

ExploreEnjoy

and

Discover

Tweed ValleyForest Park

Just a little in-land from the Solway coast andaround Dumfries, you’ll find some great forestexperiences: inspiring walks, great bike rides andspectacular views.There’s an easy tofollow waymarkedroute for everyonehere, whether youdawdle, stride out,run or ride.

The routes described inthis guide are mainlyfor walking. For our‘7stanes’ mountain bikeroutes in Mabie andDalbeattie Forests, visit:

www.7stanesmountainbiking.com

For forest walks around Ae, Moffat, Lockerbie andThornhill, download the ‘Forests of the SouthernUplands’ leaflet from: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland.Galloway Forest Park is also fairly close by, withsome spectacular scenery and lots to do. www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark

Forests of

Dumfriesand the Solway

These forests are great for spotting wildlife;home to red squirrels, roe deer, badgers andbuzzards. Just sit or stand quietly and you’llsoon see or hear something of the lifeamongst the trees, from insects to birds and mammals.

As the forests mature and become morediverse, more niches for wildlife open up.We’re also working to help more vulnerable speciessuch as the pearl-bordered fritillary and nightjar.

Wildlife

Discover the forests your way...

4 Dalbeattie Forest

Plantain Loch

Birch Trail

A gentle wander through mossy pines, with plenty ofplaces to stop and sit. Look for the granite sculptures.

Wide, firm gravel surface throughout. Some loose stones. Long gentle slopes with some short moderate sections.

Plantain Loch Trail

A lovely walk along the tranquil shores of PlantainLoch. Look out for wildlife: red squirrels, grey heronsor dragonflies in summer.

Mostly firm gravel surface. Short rough rocky section with exposed tree roots. Several short steep slopes.

Quarry Trail

Discover Dalbeattie’s quarrying heritage at the top ofthe forest, where oak and beech mingle with the pine trees.

Mostly firm gravel tracks. Rough section with narrow rocky path through trees and some muddy patches. Steep slope to quarries.

1 miles /1.6 kmAllow½ hour

1¾ miles /2.9 kmAllow1 hour

2 ¼ miles /3.7 kmAllow1½ hours

It's the granite thatmakes it great! Thegranite rock foundationof Dalbeattie forest isgrippy stuff. It’s beingused across the globe,from the cobbled streetsof London to alighthouse in Sri Lanka.A great place to walkand there’s anadventure play area atthe Town Woodentrance. The mountainbike trails start from the7stanes car park.

A wee rest in Dalbeattie forest before more ‘walkies’

Dumfries & Galloway

Red squirrel *

Buzzard *

Can you spotthe nightjar?

Badger *

Pearl-borderedfritillary

Explore the Forests of

Dumfriesand the Solway

Sculp

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Dalbe

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