Round trip from Dumfries through the Southern Uplands of Lanarkshire and back via the Galloway Forest Park
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 15-07-2021
Route Summary
A round trip route of two halves. The first is through the hills and valleys of South Lanarkshire past old coal and lead mining works and the second is through moorland and forest in the Galloway Forest Park. This is also a route that is easily shortened, see the review. I awarded this route with 4**** stars because of the great roads and landscapes.
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Verdict
Duration
7h 17m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
291.83 km
Countries
South Lanarkshire.
RouteXpert Review
A great route for a Sunday ride with mates. Starting from a McDonald's as a meeting point with fuel 500 m up the road, this route heads north to the coal fields and old lead workings of South Lanarkshire in the Southern Uplands of Scotland. The route travels through varied aspects of Scotland's landscape which have been affected by glaciation. The roads used are generally quiet as this is Scotland's least populated area, they will also thrill as well. There are some good sections, notably the A702, B797 and B740. These have a good surface with fast flowing bends and undulations and good visibility. The landscape is one of rounded hills and valleys where you can predict the course of the road by the positioning of the surrounding hills. There are areas of high ground offering 360° views and as far as the coast on a clear day. You will pass areas of historic industrial mine workings left over from the coal and lead industries, most of it now being taken over by nature but there are still clues to be seen. One of the villages is even called Leadhill and the nearby hill is named Mine Hill. There is a visitor centre in the village of Wanlockhead where you can stop for a coffee and learn some of the mining history.
There are also the remains of gold workings dating to the 16th century. The workings survive primarily as a series of deep channels, known as gold scours, cut into the hillside above the Shortcleuch Water. The site is associated with the Scottish monarchy; James IV and V both granted rights to mine the area and the gold produced was a significant resource for the Crown. Much of the gold coinage of James V and Mary Queen of Scots was minted from gold from this district.
From lead mining to coal mining, the route now travels past old mine workings of the Carmacoup Colliery as it heads towards the Galloway Forest Park. When you reach the town of Dalmellington RP 21, you have a choice to turn left and pick up the route again at RP 36. This will shorten the route by approximately 40 miles (64 km) 75 minutes for those that just want an A.M. or P.M. ride.
The Galloway Forest Park is Britain’s largest forest park. As well as catering for recreation, the park includes economically valuable woodland, producing 500,000 tons of timber per year. This is also Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park – one of the best places to stargaze in Europe! The forestry work is clear to see with areas of mature trees, freshly felled and newly planted saplings. You will also travel across vast areas of open moorland where the road surface can be a little bumpy but the scenery makes up for it.
The route heads east back towards Dumfries on the A712 at Newton Stewart. This is another great road that twists and turns and after crossing over more moorland, gradually becomes more rural countryside.
At RP 30 is the Glen of the Bar. A historic viewpoint at the head of a long tree-clad gully. Numerous animal bones have been found at the end of the gully, prompting historians to suggest that early peoples of the area herded wild animals into the steep sided ravine, and then hurled stones and spears at them to kill them.
The Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall is about 2 km further on and a 100 m walk from the roadside will get you to the foot of the falls for a photo. One of Scotland's finest waterfalls, with a magnificent 60m cascade of pure water.
You will then arrive at Clatteringshaws Reservoir and Visitor Centre where there is a cafe and great views across the waters of the reservoir. The A712 takes you over the River Urr an onto the village of Crocketford to join the A75 which is just 10 minutes back to the start point.
RP 3. Typical South Lanarkshire landscape.
RP 26. Galloway Forest.
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes
Scotland
About this region
Scotland (Scots: Scotland, Scottish Gaelic: Alba [ˈal̪ˠapə] (listen)) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96-mile (154-kilometre) border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast and east, and the Irish Sea to the south. It also contains more than 790 islands, principally in the archipelagos of the Hebrides and the Northern Isles. Most of the population, including the capital Edinburgh, is concentrated in the Central Belt—the plain between the Scottish Highlands and the Southern Uplands—in the Scottish Lowlands.
Scotland is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions or local authorities, known as council areas. Glasgow City is the largest council area in terms of population, with Highland being the largest in terms of area. Limited self-governing power, covering matters such as education, social services and roads and transportation, is devolved from the Scottish Government to each subdivision. Scotland is the second-largest country in the United Kingdom, and accounted for 8.3% of the population in 2012.The Kingdom of Scotland emerged as an independent sovereign state in the 9th century and continued to exist until 1707. By inheritance in 1603, James VI of Scotland became king of England and Ireland, thus forming a personal union of the three kingdoms. Scotland subsequently entered into a political union with the Kingdom of England on 1 May 1707 to create the new Kingdom of Great Britain. The union also created the Parliament of Great Britain, which succeeded both the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England. In 1801, the Kingdom of Great Britain entered into a political union with the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (in 1922, the Irish Free State seceded from the United Kingdom, leading to the latter being officially renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1927).Within Scotland, the monarchy of the United Kingdom has continued to use a variety of styles, titles and other royal symbols of statehood specific to the pre-union Kingdom of Scotland. The legal system within Scotland has also remained separate from those of England and Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland constitutes a distinct jurisdiction in both public and private law. The continued existence of legal, educational, religious and other institutions distinct from those in the remainder of the UK have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and national identity since the 1707 incorporating union with England.In 1999, a Scottish Parliament was re-established, in the form of a devolved unicameral legislature comprising 129 members, having authority over many areas of domestic policy. The head of the Scottish Government is the first minister of Scotland, who is supported by the deputy first minister of Scotland. Scotland is represented in the United Kingdom Parliament by 59 members of parliament (MPs). It is also a member of the British–Irish Council, sending five members of the Scottish Parliament to the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly, as well as being part of the Joint Ministerial Committee, represented by the first minister.
Read more on Wikipedia
Scotland is divided into 32 administrative subdivisions or local authorities, known as council areas. Glasgow City is the largest council area in terms of population, with Highland being the largest in terms of area. Limited self-governing power, covering matters such as education, social services and roads and transportation, is devolved from the Scottish Government to each subdivision. Scotland is the second-largest country in the United Kingdom, and accounted for 8.3% of the population in 2012.The Kingdom of Scotland emerged as an independent sovereign state in the 9th century and continued to exist until 1707. By inheritance in 1603, James VI of Scotland became king of England and Ireland, thus forming a personal union of the three kingdoms. Scotland subsequently entered into a political union with the Kingdom of England on 1 May 1707 to create the new Kingdom of Great Britain. The union also created the Parliament of Great Britain, which succeeded both the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England. In 1801, the Kingdom of Great Britain entered into a political union with the Kingdom of Ireland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (in 1922, the Irish Free State seceded from the United Kingdom, leading to the latter being officially renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1927).Within Scotland, the monarchy of the United Kingdom has continued to use a variety of styles, titles and other royal symbols of statehood specific to the pre-union Kingdom of Scotland. The legal system within Scotland has also remained separate from those of England and Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland constitutes a distinct jurisdiction in both public and private law. The continued existence of legal, educational, religious and other institutions distinct from those in the remainder of the UK have all contributed to the continuation of Scottish culture and national identity since the 1707 incorporating union with England.In 1999, a Scottish Parliament was re-established, in the form of a devolved unicameral legislature comprising 129 members, having authority over many areas of domestic policy. The head of the Scottish Government is the first minister of Scotland, who is supported by the deputy first minister of Scotland. Scotland is represented in the United Kingdom Parliament by 59 members of parliament (MPs). It is also a member of the British–Irish Council, sending five members of the Scottish Parliament to the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly, as well as being part of the Joint Ministerial Committee, represented by the first minister.
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Route Collections in this region
6 Must do routes in The Highlands of Scotland
This collection of routes in the spectacular Scottish Highland's offers a great way to experience the full spectrum of what this region has to offer - snowcapped mountains, loch after loch, areas of solitary wilderness, white sandy beaches and a multitude of historic castles and buildings that reflect the past, the Highland's have everything. The weather however, cannot be guaranteed and somebody once said " Nobody visits Scotland for the weather"!
May can be a very good time of year to visit - temperatures can be pleasant and it's often a dry month with the added bonus that it's too early for the midgies. Many of the roads are single lane but largely empty and well maintained so the riding is comfortable and stress free allowing you to take in the views and there really is a wow around every corner. The pass at Glencoe for example is staggeringly impressive - you can actually see the geology and appreciate how it was scooped out by glaciers.
The people you encounter are warm and engaging and the food is good.
The very popular North Coast 500 route is included for those of you with Iron Butts that like a 1 day challenge. For me, the best way of enjoying the NC 500 is with two overnight stops, so the route includes these if required.
May can be a very good time of year to visit - temperatures can be pleasant and it's often a dry month with the added bonus that it's too early for the midgies. Many of the roads are single lane but largely empty and well maintained so the riding is comfortable and stress free allowing you to take in the views and there really is a wow around every corner. The pass at Glencoe for example is staggeringly impressive - you can actually see the geology and appreciate how it was scooped out by glaciers.
The people you encounter are warm and engaging and the food is good.
The very popular North Coast 500 route is included for those of you with Iron Butts that like a 1 day challenge. For me, the best way of enjoying the NC 500 is with two overnight stops, so the route includes these if required.
View Route Collection
6 Routes
2275.79 km
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Top 10 Downloaded UK routes by RouteXpert Nick Carthew
Hello and welcome to this collection of the Top 10 MyRoute app downloaded routes in the UK.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be ridden.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelstory of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your email.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be ridden.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelstory of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your email.
View Route Collection
10 Routes
2910.58 km
83h 52m