Overview

Your guides will meet you at the train station in historic Carlisle and transfer by road (approximately 45 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 with 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 your guides will present an overview of the week ahead, followed by our first dinner together at the Gather restaurant, a nearby farm.

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 most 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 transfer to a private cabin on the hillside where you'll soak in the views and the stars, all while enjoying a delicious barbecue dinner featuring local Scottish fare and whisky tasting.

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.

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 Queen's 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. Meet up with the support team, then continue through the hills on a long descent to the town of Newton Stewart. Recharge here with lunch or enjoy 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 your hotel, featuring the best of the region's local food and drink.

Overview

Your final morning in Scotland brings a taste of The Gralloch, a race in the UCI Gravel World Series, as you ride part of its course straight from the hotel. A winding trail leads into a testing climb, best taken at your own pace, before the route rises and falls on fast gravel through the forest. A descent drops you onto quiet tarmac, where wide views carry you on a last swift run back into the village. Back at the Murray Arms Hotel, you’ll say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM. From there, a private coach takes you to Carlisle Train Station, approximately 90 minutes away, to connect with onward trains. Please book train departures no earlier than 1:30 PM.