Route guides Dalbeattie Hardrock
How to get there::From M74 Take junction for Dumfries. Follow A710 through town centre. Follow signposts for Solway Coast then take road marked Dalbeattie. MULTIMAP.
Thanks to the 7-Stanes project, there are now some top notch MTB trails which are definitely worth checking out. And even more being developed as we speak. You most definitely want to check out the Hardrock trail at Dalbeattie, near Dumfries. The 29km of trail includes swooping singletrack through forest, rocky technical bits, thrilling slabs, the odd jump and stunning views.
Here is the link to the Dalbeattie Info. There is a downloadable Map available. It is worth printing as we found the way markings pretty poor to start with. However the trailbuilders have done a great job at Dalbeattie. There are even "Blouse" routes for the less confident riders to avoid the many obstacles that you will encounter.
Quality Singletrack.
From the car park follow the cycle route markings. The last time we were here the markings were very poor and we ended up pissing about for half an hour.
The single is quality and different from all the other man made trails . One moment you could be heading uphill on smooth track in the open, turn a corner then its winding its way through a forest, followed by extremely rocky section through and over big granite lumps. Then suddenly you are on a loose and rocky downhill. When I say rocky, I meant ROCKY. If you love your new bike and don't want to scratch it then don't go.
The Slab.
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This is the real reason we went to Dalbeattie! To tackle the infamous slab. Before you even get to the slab you will have to negotiate some shorter pieces of granite drops . The Qualifier and the Tester. These sections are pretty good fun and serve as a taste for the beast ahead. Then you approach the sign which does your confidence the world of good .Then you face the beat. Looking down the 12m slab of steep rough granite is pretty daunting. Just to add an extra edge there are some diagonal grooves threatening to grab your front wheel and whip you off to the side. Chose your line very carefully, and remember the Golden rule "Commitment". Don't try and change your line half way down or face the consequences. Whichever line you take, don't fall off - its a long, very long, and very abrasive way down to the bottom. The granite surface is extremely grippy even in the rain. Once you fire out of the bottom there is still some hard work to do. Just ask Malkygee or view his attempt on Video.
More quality singletrack.
After the slab, don't think that the remainder of the trail will be an anti-climax. Not so! Next on the agenda is some delightful rocky singletrack , with views down to the sea and all the way across to Cumbria, followed by the Terrible Twins - more slab action on two little versions of the big slab, with a short gap in between them. Then the trail winds through Spooky Wood, dense and gloomy pine forest. This will remind you of the Blair Witch Project. This is puncture central due to the amount of thorns and pine needles. Problem is that its almost dark in there.If you make it out of the wood alive there is the freeflowing downhill of Jacob's Ladder, with carefully crafted stonework on the high speed banking at the bottom.
Overview.
Get yourself down and give it a try if only just for the slab experience. It may be worth camping in or around Dumfries for a long weekend and trying out Mabie Forest and Ae whilst you are there. These trails are all relatively close to one another.
Shieldsy