Main Dalbeattie Forest 2 Main The Hills Map 2 3 · 2017-03-05 · large print or in another language, please contact: The Diversity Team Tel: 0131 314 6575 E-mail: [email protected]

Trail GradesForestry Commission trails are graded according to the degree of difficulty, gradients

and type of conditionsvisitors can expect.

EasySensible footwear

Easy-going(Muscle-loosener)

ModerateWaterproof footwear

Moderate-going(Muscle-stretcher)

StrenuousHillwalking boots

Demanding(Muscle-builder)

The northern end of Dalbeattie Forest is known as theTown Wood due to its position on the edge of Dalbeattietown and is a popular amenity with the locals and visitors.Originally an area of rough grazing and granite outcrops, theforest was planted from the 1920’s, and now extends 6 milessouth to the village of Colvend. The walks start from the TownWood car park (the first Forestry Commission car park as you head southout of Dalbeattie on the A 710) and offer a choice of distances and difficulty. From the Easy AccessTrail that visits a unique granite sculpture and then you can reach the Plantain Loch alonganother trail. As you walk round you will see a number of disused quarries that were onceworked by local families. Now quarried on a larger scale elsewhere, Dalbeattie granite isreputed to be one of the hardest stones available and has been used in constructionaroundthe world most notably in the Eddystone Lighthouse, the Mersey Docks in Liverpool and the Thames Embankment in London.

Dominated by some of the tallest trees insouthwest Scotland, soaring to 40 metresabove the woodland floor, this short walkclimbs steeply to a stunning viewpoint. Thebreathtaking panorama out to the Solway Coast

makes the hard work worthwhile! By far the largesttrees in the wood are the Douglas firs. This species oftree was discovered by the Scottish colonist ArchibaldMenzies on the west coast of North America in 1791, butnamed after another Scot, David Douglas, who sent seedto Britain in 1825. The forest car park is situated off theB736, west of Palnackie.

Park in Rockcliffe and follow the track past the Baron’sCraig Hotel up to the forest and the start of the walk.The trail starts with an easy stroll

using the forest roads, before leading intothe trees along a footpath which opensout on top of Mark Hill. Take in the viewsacross the bay and the hills beyond fromMuckle before descending onto theNational Trust for Scotland’s Jubilee Path,which returns to Rockcliffe.

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5 The Muckle 13/4 miles 1hr 20mins(including the Jubilee path)

Mark HillMainMap

4 Douglas Trail 13/4 miles 1hr 25mins

Doach Wood

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2 Easy Access Trail 1 mile 45mins

Plantain Loch Trail 13/4 miles 1 hr 15mins

Richorn Trail 3/4 mile 30mins

Quarry Trail 21/4 miles 1 hr 45mins

Dalbeattie Forest

Fly Agaric

Plan

tain

Loch

Taking care when out and aboutPlease remember that the weather on

the hills and mountains can change very quickly. Even in summer, conditionson the tops of mountains are often much colder and windier than at the low levels,

despite clear skies.

Sculpture in Dalbeattie Forest

This lowland mixed deciduous wood on the edge ofMabie Forest is being managed by ForestryCommission Scotland to encourage naturalregeneration. This approach ensures that the wooddevelops as naturally as possible, improving the

opportunities for native plants and animals such as piedflycatchers and owls. The walk provides an excellent way toexplore this beautiful wood. Part of the route follows anold railway line that once linked Dumfries and Stranraer, itnow provides a sheltered haven for wildlife including fernsand lizards. The trail starts from the car park, which is signpostedoff the A711 Dumfries to Dalbeattie road.

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3 Flycatcher Trail 1.5 miles 1hour

The Hills Take Care - When out and about

Whilst enjoying the walks, please remember that you are in aworking forest. Ongoing management such as tree felling androad maintenance ensures that the forests remain diverse andcontinue to supply timber for use in our everyday lives.Please look out for signs that will inform you of any safetyissues and make responsible decisions based on theinformation. Diversions will be provided wherever possible.

WarningForest

OperationsPlease obey all signs & directions

We apologize for any inconvenience

No unauthorisedpersons allowed

beyond this point

We apologize for any inconvenience

View from Doach Wood

Dalbeattie Main Street ©www.scottishviewpoint.com

Key to Maps

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The Forests of the

Solway CoastThe forests of the Solway Coast cloak thecoastal plains and rolling hills stretching outfrom the bustling market town of Dumfries.Providing a backdrop to quiet villages andsecluded bays, the forests await visitors bothnew and old, in search of inspiring walks andspectacular views.

Forestry CommissionScotland welcomeswalkers, cyclists andhorse riders onto its landand provides manywaymarked routes forthese activities. Walkingroutes in the forestsaround the Solway Coastare described in thisleaflet. Information onthe ‘7stanes’ cycle routesat Mabie Forest andDalbeattie Forest isavailable from www.7stanesmountainbiking.com

What to See and DoDumfries and Galloway is a haven for wildlife. Migratorybarnacle geese arrive in their thousands from arctic Norwayand spend the winter grazing the coastal saltmarshes, whilstgolden eagles soar above the craggy hills. The sprawlingwoods and forests are home for many of the area’s plants andanimals, including red squirrels, roe deer, badgers andbuzzards. Forestry Commission Scotland always considers theneeds of wildlife during forest management and is activelycommitted to conservation work for vulnerable species such as the pearl-bordered fritillary and nightjar.

Looking for something extra to doduring your visit to the forest? Thenwhy not pick up our Events leaflet at

any local Tourist InformationCentre or from the Forestry Offices

at Ae and Mabie (see back page).Smaller, local events willbe advertised on the notice boards in

the forest during peak periods.

A supporting leaflet, ‘The Forests of theSouthern Uplands’ is also available, withinformation on forest walks around Ae,Moffat, Lockerbie and Thornhill,available from the Ae Forest Offices (address - see back page).

Redsquirrel

Bluebells

Fun for all the family

The Forests of the

Solway CoastExplore

Enjoy

and

Discover

Forinformation

on what’savailable from

ForestryCommission

Scotland inthe rest of

Dumfries &Galloway,

including theGalloway

Forest Park,please contactthe address at

the top.

Forestry Commission ScotlandDumfries & Borders Forest DistrictAe Village, Parkgate, Dumfries, DG1 1QBTel: 01387 860247E-mail: dumfries&[email protected]: 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, 0870 6082608 orwww.travelinescotland.com© Crown Copyright 2015

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BadgerIf you need this publication in analternative format, for example, inlarge print or in another language,please contact:

The Diversity Team Tel: 0131 314 6575E-mail: [email protected]

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

The Forestry Commission bought Mabie Forest in1943, though forestry has been an important partof life here since 1800. Today, it is one of the

most popular destinations in the area for outdoorrecreation and offers something for everyone fromworld-class mountain bike trails to quiet picnic areasand stunning viewpoints. All of the walks start from themain car park and cross the Mabie Burn towards the OldSawmill where picnic areas, a woodland pond and toiletscan be found. The All Abilities Trail is a short, easy goingintroduction to the forest, passing through the old policywoods of Mabie House and visiting a community sensorygarden. A little further along the Chinney Field Trail awoodland pond can be found with access back to the OldSawmill. For the more adventurous, a number of longerwalks meander through the forest, such as the LochaberTrail which takes in a variety of natural habitats that areactively managed for wildlife such as nightjars,butterflies and dragonflies. For young families a play areanestles amongst the trees next to the car park and offerssafe fun for the children. Refreshments are available fromThe Shed café, opening times vary throughout the year.Mabie Forest sits 4 miles south of Dumfries off the A710.

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1 All Abilities Trail 1/3 mile 2 0mins

Chinney Field Trail 11/2mil es 1hr 10mins

Dalshinnie Glen Trail 3 miles 2hours

Lochaber Trail 51/4 miles 3hrs 15mins

Nith View Trail 41/2 miles 3hours

Marthrown Hill Trail 1 miles 45mins

Mabie Forest 1

ExploreEnjoy

and

Discover

Tweed ValleyForest Park