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Trip Itinerary
Explore the rugged southwest of Scotland on a gravel bike tour and experience miles of scenic forest, riverbanks, and coastal trails.
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Where to Arrive
Airport:
London (LDN), Manchester (MAN), or Edinburgh (EDI)
Pick-up location:
Carlisle Train Station, Carlisle, England
Pick-up time:
11:00 AM
Where to Depart
Airport:
London (LDN), Manchester (MAN), or Edinburgh (EDI)
Drop-off location:
Carlisle Train Station, Carlisle, England
Drop-off time:
3:30 PM
Additional Arrival Information
We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the start of your Scotland Gravel Bike Tour, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays. The meeting point is Carlisle Station which is located in the northwest corner of England (the address is Court Square, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1QZ). Carlisle Station is easily accessible by direct train from the major airports of London (LDN) in three and a half hours, Manchester (MAN) in two hours.
From Edinburgh Airport (EDI), take the Airlink Service 100 express bus to Edinburgh (Waverley) station, then book a direct train to Carlisle. The Airlink bus takes about 25 minutes and the train takes about one hour. Please consult www.trainline.com to book your tickets in advance. Tickets are typically available three months before the departure date.
Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Carlisle Station at 11:00 AM on the first day of your trip. After a transfer of approximately 90 minutes by private coach, your gravel bike tour in Scotland begins. Please come dressed ready to ride. Enjoy lunch as your guides explain how the trip will unfold, and expertly fit you to your Trek bike. Once everyone's bike is ready, you'll be off into the hills to enjoy your first gravel ride in Scotland.
If you will be late for the pick up or are going to miss it altogether, please inform your guides. If you cannot reach them, please call the trip hotel, The Murray Arms (+44 1557 840 206) and leave a message with your expected arrival time. A taxi from Carlisle to the hotel in Gatehouse of Fleet will be approximately £300.
Additional Departure Information
You will say farewell to your guides at 2:00 PM at the Murray Arms Hotel. After saying goodbye, you will take a private coach back to Carlisle Station (approximately 90 minutes). Here you can take a train to your preferred destination. Please do not book a train before 4:00 PM.
Get your first taste of Scottish gravel as you pedal through the heart of Galloway Forest Park
Overview
Your guides will meet you at the train station in historic Carlisle and transfer by road (approximately 90 mins) to the start point of your gravel adventure in Scotland. After guide introductions, a welcome lunch and bike fitting, you will be all set for your first ride. The route begins with a short section of quiet road to warm up before heading into the heart of the Galloway Forest Park. The park covers an area of 300 square miles and offers endless gravel travels through mixed woodland and wild scenery. You'll follow The Raiders Road which offers a superb intro to the region's gravel; the road is so-named after the cattle rustlers who used this route for centuries. Pass the beautiful Otter Pools and a chance to refuel before climbing steadily, following an old railway line. From the high point, it’s a fast and sweeping descent back to base in Gatehouse of Fleet and the welcoming Murray Arms Hotel. This evening, we'll gather for a social hour where you guides will present an overview of the week ahead, followed by our first dinner together at the hotel, featuring the best of the region's local food and drink.
Hotel
The Murray Arms
Meals included
Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
The Raiders Road and Otter Pools
Savor the scenery as you follow in the footsteps of cattle rustlers.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
New Galloway to Gatehouse - Approximately 22 mi I 35 km and 1,318 ft I 402 m
Pedal through a nature reserve and enjoy a Scottish barbeque
Overview
Today’s route takes us into the Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve and via the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct. This striking piece of architecture is over 150 years old and appeared in the classic movie, The 39 Steps. The nature reserve itself is one of the wildest and remote regions in the South of Scotland and home to some of the country's most iconic birdlife - including red and black grouse, peregrine falcons, and even the occasional golden eagle. Your route continues through the forest and along the beautiful Stroan Loch - here on the shores of the loch enjoy a picnic lunch before tackling the remainder of the day. Look to the skies again for the majestic Red Kites of the region before a steady climb to Glengap takes you to the day's high point. From here a scenic, fast and flowing descent takes you right back to the hotel in Gatehouse. Before dinner, try your hand at wild food foraging along the shoreline as your foraging guide will introduce you to an array of herbs, seaweeds, and plants, including Sea Sandwort, Sea Arrowgrass Spears, Sugar Kelp, and Marsh Samphire. You'll then take a short walk to a private cabin on the hillside where you'll soak in the views and the stars, all while enjoying a delicious BBQ dinner featuring local Scottish fare.
Hotel
The Murray Arms
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Big Water of Fleet Viaduct
This striking viaduct features 20 granite arches, standing nearly 70 feet (21 m) high and 900 feet (274 m) long. Built by the Portpatrick Railway in 1861, it was used until 1965.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Gatehouse to Mossdale Loop - Approximately 36 mi I 58 km and 2,630 ft I 790 m
Ride Option 2
SHORT OPTION:
Gatehouse to Laurieston with Shuttle -
Approximately 25 mi I 40 km and 1,590 ft I 483 m
Ride Option 3
AVID OPTION:
Gatehouse to Mossdale Loop with Glenlochar Extension -
Approximately 41 mi I 67 km and 2,670 ft I 815 m
Activities
Activity 1
TODAY'S ACTIVITY:
Learn the art of coastal foraging
Enjoy gravel trails along the Galloway Coast and explore historic Kirkcudbright
Overview
Today serves up a wonderful change of scenery and landscapes as you head for the coast and a scenic route which combines gravel with quiet country lanes. Hit the trail right from the hotel riding through the Fleet Forest to reach the coast. Enjoy the rolling terrain with fantastic views across the Murray Isles to the distant mountains of the Lake District and the Isle of Man. Following a series of virtually traffic-free roads and more off-road trails you'll reach the charming town of Kirkcudbright for lunch. Explore the historic center and the quaint independent stores before rejoining the bikes and riding back inland. Some steady climbing leads back into the forest and across the hills before a fast and long descent back to Gatehouse of Fleet. Recover with an optional early evening yoga session before enjoying dinner on your own at the hotel or from one of the local options in the village.
Hotel
The Murray Arms
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch
Highlight of the Day
Visit Kirkcudbright
Established as a Royal Burgh in 1455, Kirkcudbright thrives on fishing and a vibrant arts scene. Known as "The Artists’ Town," it houses generations of painters and craftworkers.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
 TODAY'S RIDE:
Gatehouse to Kirkcudbright Loop
- Approximately 30 mi | 50 km and 2,620 ft | 800 m
Ride Option 2
SHORT OPTION:
Gatehouse to Kirkcudbright Loop with Shuttle - Approximately 22 mi I 36 km and 1,150 ft I 350 m
Ride Option 3
 AVID OPTION:
Gatehouse to Kirkcudbright Loop with Lennox Plunton Extension
 - Approximately 39 mi I 63 km and 2,330 ft I 715 m
Tackle ancient military trails through wild landscapes and celebrate with dinner at Gather
Overview
Your longest ride of the trip follows an epic loop through the wild landscapes of Galloway. The day starts with some steady miles on quiet tarmac before the climbing begins, elevated above the shores of Loch Grannoch. Look out for wild deer and wild goats as you follow The Queens Way, where the trail then heads north through remote countryside to reach Glen Trool. Glen Trool has a rich and ancient history including the Battle of Glen Trool during the first war of Scottish Independence. King Robert the Bruce led the Scots to victory against the English here and there remains a large granite boulder in the Glen which commemorates the victory. Reunited with our support crew, you can enjoy a picnic lunch on the shores of the Loch Trool and then continue through the hills for a long descent to the town of Newton Stewart. Recharge here with afternoon tea and scones before the final push back to Gatehouse of Fleet via an ancient military road. Celebrate your day’s big adventure in style with drinks and a gourmet dinner at the amazing Gather restaurant, located on a nearby farm.
Hotel
The Murray Arms
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Featured Meal | Gather Restaurant
Gather is set on a hillside above Wigtown Bay, offering views of the Lake District and the Isle of Man. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks, then dine on fresh delights like Galloway Crab, Kirkwood Farm Lamb, and West Coast Salmon. Don’t miss the local cheeses, paired with a glass of Uisge Beithe—Scottish Malt Whisky!
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Gatehouse to Newton Stewart with Shuttle -
 Approximately 46 mi I 73.5 km and 3,605 ft I 1,099 m
Ride Option 2
 SHORT OPTION:
Viaduct to Newton Stewart with Shuttles -
Approximately 27 mi I 43.4 km and 2,444 ft I 745 m
Ride Option 3
 AVID OPTION:
Gatehouse to Glen Trool and the Big Country Loop
 - Approximately 64 mi I 103 km and 4727 ft I 1,441 m
Ride part of the Gralloch race course and bid farewell to Galloway
Overview
For your final day in Scotland, take on the challenge of riding part of the course for The Gralloch - a world-class race in the Trek UCI Gravel Worlds Series. The route starts right outside our hotel with a testing climb, albeit a lot more agreeable when not done at race pace! From the summit, the route rises and falls through the forest on fast gravel before descending to some welcome tarmac. Enjoy the amazing views on this final section of quiet road before a fun blast back to the village. We will share a final lunch at the hotel together at the hotel before saying farewell to your guides at 2:00 PM at the Murray Arms Hotel. After saying goodbye, you'll take a private coach back to Carlisle Train Station (approximately 90 minutes). Here you can take a train to your preferred destination. Please do not book any train before 4:00 PM.
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch
Highlight of the Day
The Gralloch
Ride a challenging section of the Trek UCI Gravel World's Course.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Gralloch Loop - Approximately 22 mi | 35 km and 1,900 ft | 590 m
If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.
Don’t see exactly what you are looking for or looking for a custom date?
Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735
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Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).
Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).
Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).
Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).
Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).
Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).
Gravel: 4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
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