Start/Finish Rik’s Bike Shed, Drumlanrig Castle Total distance 8.5km (5.3 miles) Total ascent 201m Time 1-2 hours Maps OS Landranger sheet 78, Nithsdale & Annandale/Drumlanrig MTB leaflet map. Or Garmin Discoverer 1:50K – Scotland (GPS) Summary A short non-technical route with optional red graded sections. From the car park for Rik’s Bike Shed, take the forest track west following the Drumlanrig MTB route signs for the blue route. You’ll follow these for the whole route. Follow the track up the hill, by Beech and Coldstream Lochs. Take the singletrack left of Hillhead Loch before rejoining the track and climbing again. After the stretch of straight track follow the blue sign right, then right again, cutting through fire roads. You are at the high point of the loop, so it is largely descending down to the river from here. As the track follows Boghouse Burn, keep an eye on the left for a wide singletrack turning. Turn left down the blue signposted singletrack, following it through some fun berms and fast descents. Cross the track and continue descending to cross the minor road and drop down the track into Carse Wood. At the bottom of the track take the hard right to turn back on yourself and follow the riverside track all the way down, keeping to the blue signposts. This eventually spits you out onto the red Tarmac of the castle driveway, where you turn right and follow it all the way back to the start, admiring the castle as you approach it. by Matt_Skinner
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