Dalbeattie
Dance with the dragonflies in Dalbeattie
Pretty Plantain Loch is a real highlight in this quiet, easy to explore forest beside the town of Dalbeattie. Pause a while at the lochside to watch ducks and dragonflies, and discover soaring sculptures amongst the trees. The best place to start for walkers is the Dalbeattie Town Wood car park.
Dalbeattie is one of the 7stanes world-class mountain biking centres – it’s renowned for its challenging granite slabs. If you're here to explore on your bike, head to the 7stanes Dalbeattie car park.
Our guide to the Forests of Dumfries and the Solway (PDF 6.5MB) will help you explore Dalbeattie and other woodlands in this wonderful part of Scotland.
Find the essentials nearby
There are public toilets, shops and plenty of places to eat and drink at nearby Dalbeattie.
Car parking charges (coins only)
Please note, parking charges are as follows:
- £1 for up to 1 hour
- £2 for up to 3 hours
- £3 for all day
- £12 for minibus and coach all day
Annual Parking Permits valid in Ae, Mabie and Dalbeattie for 2019 are on sale from 1 December. They cost £39 for a car or £59 for a minibus and are valid till the end of the calendar year. A perfect Christmas gift for the forest lover in your life!
To buy one or for further information please contact the Ae Office, phone 0300 067 6900 or email dumfriesborders@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
Walking trails
Our guide to the Forests of Dumfries and the Solway (PDF 6.5MB) will help you explore Dalbeattie and other woodlands in this wonderful part of Scotland.
Birch Trail
A gentle wander through mossy pines, with plenty of places 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.
1 miles / 1.6 km Allow ½ hour
Plantain Loch Trail
A lovely walk along the tranquil shores of Plantain Loch. Look out for wildlife: red squirrels, grey herons or dragonflies in summer.
Mostly firm gravel surface. Short rough rocky section with exposed tree roots. Several short steep slopes.
1 ¾ miles / 2.9 km Allow 1 hour
Quarry Trail
Discover Dalbeattie’s quarrying heritage at the top of the 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.
2 ¼ miles / 3.7 km Allow 1½ hours
Mountain biking trails
With its coastal setting lack of big hills, Dalbeattie has a relaxed feel – but the riding is far from dull.
It’s renowned amongst the 7stanes trail centres for its technical trails, granite features and great views, and there’s a trail here for everyone. Hone your technique at the skills area then choose your route into the forest.
The Dalbeattie 7stanes map (PDF 830KB) shows the trails.
Trail update (1 February): All trails open.
Ironhash Trail
Green: Easy -
7.2 miles / 11.5 km
The Ironhash trail provides an easy ride deep into the heart of the forest, mainly on forest roads. It's ideal for getting a flavour of mountain biking.
More information...Moyle Hill Trail
Blue: Moderate -
8.7 miles / 14.0 km
Get ready to rock and roll, on this fun trail which delivers some cracking views.
More information...Hardrock Trail
Red: Difficult -
15.6 miles / 25.0 km
Step it up a gear on this challenging route with its rougher and rockier surface.
More information...How to get here
Dalbeattie lies between Dumfries and Castle Douglas at the junction of the A711 and the A710. From Dumfries, take the A710 towards Colvend and look for signs to Town Wood car park on your left after about ½ mile (1km). Town Wood car park is at grid reference NX 836 599.
For the mountain bike trails, head for the 7stanes Dalbeattie car park. This is also on the A710 about 1/4 mile (1/2km) beyond Town Wood. Dalbeattie 7stanes car park is at grid reference NX 836 591.
Using SatNav?
DG5 4QU is the nearest postcode.
Public transport
Dumfries is the nearest railway station, and there are regular buses from Dumfries to Dalbeattie. You’ll find details at Traveline Scotland.
Nearby places
Dalbeattie is one of several beautiful forests around the Solway Coast. Close to Dumfries, there are tree-lined hills and glens as well as more world-class mountain bike trails at Mabie Forest. It’s just a few miles to Palnackie, and the soaring Doach Wood where you’ll find some of the tallest trees in south west Scotland. The trails here are short but steep, rewarding your efforts with stunning views of the Solway coast.
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