The Gallovidian Gravel is a 205-mile (330km) circular bikepacking route through Dumfries and Galloway, linking forests, lochs, coastline, gravel tracks and some of Scotland’s quietest roads.
With three days available, four of us headed to Dumfries to ride our own version of the route. Weather forecasts, train times and local knowledge would eventually reshape the original plan, but that is often how the best bikepacking trips work.
Day One. Forests, Beaches and Coastlines
After a healthy Scottish breakfast (“healthy” doing some very heavy lifting there!), we started beneath the Robert Burns statue in Dumfries.
It begins. Image: Edward Kingston
The conditions were close to perfect as we left town and headed towards the forests. Greig’s local knowledge soon introduced a few changes to the planned route, taking us along quieter tracks and roads before passing Lochaber Loch and turning towards the Solway Coast.
Perfect conditions as we left Dumfries. Image: Iza Murtagh
From Sandyhills, the route began criss-crossing the coastline. This was one of the most varied sections of the trip, mixing woodland, small coastal roads, open views across the Solway Firth and some excellent gravel. We continued through Rockcliffe and Dundrennan before finally turning west towards our accommodation in Gatehouse of Fleet.
A long opening day, but with good weather, quiet roads and the coast regularly appearing between the trees, there was little to complain about.
Following the Solway Coast towards Rockcliffe. Image: Iza Murtagh
125km and 1724m elevation. View day one on Strava
Day Two. Into Galloway Forest Park
We started slightly later on day two and reversed the planned route direction.
From Gatehouse of Fleet, we headed north into Galloway Forest Park. The coastal views quickly disappeared behind us, replaced by forests, lochs and a steady accumulation of climbing.
The route passed the Otter Pools before continuing towards Clatteringshaws Loch. From there, the tracks carried us deeper into the forest, with the Glentrool Visitor Centre providing a useful target for a late lunch.
Otter Pools. Image: Edward Kingston
Clatteringshaws Loch. Image: Edward Kingston
This was the biggest day of the trip: 121km and approximately 1,500 metres of climbing. Staying two nights in Gatehouse of Fleet, we travelled lighter to enjoy the fast gravel descents.
The route switched regularly between forest roads, gravel tracks and quiet tarmac. Some sections were fast and flowing; others required a little more concentration. The scale of Galloway Forest Park also meant long stretches without seeing many other riders or many other people at all.
Heading deeper into Galloway Forest Park. Image: Alan Leather
The only mechanical: one slashed tyre which somehow required three different inner tubes before it was finally resolved. Best not to ask.
After reaching Glentrool cafe just before closing time and refuelling, we began the return journey towards Gatehouse of Fleet. Another long day, but probably the most complete day of riding on the trip.
Forests, remote lochs, sustained climbing and a properly timed café stop. Bikepacking essentials, all present and correct.
121km. 1552m elevation. View day two on Strava
Day Three. The Old Military Road
Some rain was forecast for the final day, and we also had trains to catch from Dumfries, so plans changed again.
Instead of trying to complete the remaining section of the official route, we shortened the day and followed the old military road from Gatehouse of Fleet back towards Dumfries. It proved to be an excellent alternative. The route gave us another mixture of gravel, quiet roads and open countryside, without the pressure of watching the time and wondering whether we would make the train.
Pushing for home. Image: Alan Leather
A very good café stop in Castle Douglas provided the final substantial refuel before we continued towards Dumfries; amazingly, no rain all weekend apart from the last ten kilometres.
An excellent bike leaning trunk. Image: Iza Murtagh
No ride would be complete without the finishing photo and can of Iron Bru in front of Robert Burns.
Cheers! Image: Iza Murtagh
Shorter on paper, but a fitting end to the trip.
56km and 670m elevation. - View day three on Strava
Four Out, Four Back
Four riders left Dumfries and four returned. There was also a considerable amount of homemade flapjack consumed.
Throughout the trip, we tested both new and existing Carradice luggage across constantly changing terrain from smooth tarmac and fast gravel to rougher forest tracks.
Trips like this are exactly what the bags are designed for: carrying what you need, dealing with unpredictable conditions and allowing the route to change along the way.
A special thank you goes to Carradice ambassador Iza Murtagh for the route planning and, just as importantly, the café choices.
Thanks also to Greig for the local route knowledge, logistics and accommodation arrangements. Knowing which tracks work and which ones are best avoided makes a considerable difference on a route like this.
The Gallovidian Gravel offers an impressive amount of variety within a relatively compact part of Scotland. Coastline one hour, deep forest the next, with lochs, old roads and small towns linking everything together. We did not ride every kilometre of the official route. Weather, time and local knowledge all played their part. But that is bikepacking.
Another proper riding adventure in the books. Where next?
