A rugged Scottish region is drawing adventurous cyclists with its history and wild beauty
A quiet region of southwest Scotland is fast becoming a top spot for gravel biking(Image: Getty Images)
A picturesque Scottish region away from the hustle and bustle of the country’s biggest cities is quietly capturing the attention of adventurous travellers and cyclists.
Galloway, the most southwesterly area in Scotland, is becoming a top destination for gravel biking enthusiasts. Steeped in history and brimming with natural beauty, rugged Galloway offers a taste of Scotland at its most authentic.
This is where Robert the Bruce once roamed, castles still stand from the days of the English wars, and the countryside feels timeless, with heather-covered hills, brooding pine forests, and winding streams where otters play.
According to National Geographic, it’s no surprise that the area has become a hotspot for gravel biking, a fast-growing cycling discipline that blends the agility of mountain biking with the speed of road cycling.
Riders on gravel bikes, built to glide over asphalt, dirt paths and rugged terrain, find that Galloway offers near-limitless trails to explore.
One of the most popular launchpads for such adventures is Gatehouse of Fleet, a market town in the south-west of the region. Just north lies the sprawling Galloway Forest, Britain’s largest forest park, covering over 300 square miles of wild terrain.
Galloway offers endless gravel biking trails, with Gatehouse of Fleet a popular starting point.(Image: Tom Parnell via Wikimedia Commons)
The park now plays host to The Gralloch, an elite gravel cycling race organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale.
Since 2023, around 2,000 riders have descended on Galloway each year to tackle the punishing 70-mile route. But those looking for a gentler ride have plenty of options.
One accessible trail leads from Gatehouse of Fleet along National Cycle Route 7 to the Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve and the towering Big Water of Fleet viaduct, an 18-mile round trip through a landscape of heather, rowan trees and moorland.
For something more challenging, Raiders Road Forest Drive offers a 28-mile route beginning at Clatteringshaws Loch. Riders descend through tall pine forests and rolling hills, crossing a viaduct before looping back via Loch Grannoch.
The most scenic loop may be the 35-mile ride from Clatteringshaws into the valley of the River Dee and onward to Glentrool. With lochs dark as polished steel and moody mountains rising in every direction, this route easily rivals anything found in the Highlands.
Back in Gatehouse of Fleet, cyclists can unwind at the Murray Arms, an 18th-century coaching inn where Robert Burns penned Scots Wha Hae in 1793.
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Recently renovated by Duncan and Vicki McConchie, the hotel now offers 14 characterful rooms, from singles to dog-friendly family suites, with interiors that mix modern comfort and rustic charm.
Expect inky walls, antique milking stools repurposed as plant stands, and tartan throws layered on plush beds.
After a long day’s ride, the on-site restaurant offers comforting dishes like Scotch beef and Guinness stew with horseradish mash or a fragrant coconut and vegetable curry.
For a more casual wind-down, there’s a cosy lounge where guests can sip whisky in the very room where Burns once found inspiration.