Gravel bikes are amazing: they roll well on roads, and are perfect for our less than smooth rural lanes, and allow you to ride Galloway's remote gravel paradise.  

 You stay in two hubs Thornhill - up in the Galloway Highlands, and Gatehouse of Fleet, down at the coast with access to Galloway Forest ( home to the UCI Gralloch gravel race ). Together you can ride the Alpine style passes up to Scotland’s highest village and then the now world famous forest gravel of Gatehouse.

Special indeed.

You can do your rides leisurely and enjoy the scenery, or take on big day challenges.  There are so many options here. A a picnic by the coast, even go to a gallery or two, or challenge yourself to reach the highest village in Scotland (Wanlockhead), or the highest tarmac in Scotland - if you want to go harder.  Loops are around 40 miles, or more if you want and you will have one transfer day to ride - a beautiful remote moorland cycle down to the coast. 

Whatever you do, you will relax in comfortable 4* rated hotels with great food and perhaps a dram too.

Arrival  - Day 1:  Arrive in Thornhill and settle. We will welcome you and introduce you to the area and what you are about to explore. 

We have two short rides for you to test the bikes and get a feel for the area, including a loop to see the grave of the inventor of the bicycle - how amazing is that!

Day 2: You will head for the hills and see Mortons Castle, the "Marbles" at Durisdeer Church and the famous Drumlanrig Castle. Further on to Wanlockhead, the highest village ( and pub!) in Scotland, and the amazing Mennock pass - this is our Alpine riding - Want more? - you can ride the highest tarmac in Scotland.

Day 3: A route that goes into the hills above Thornhill with a visit to Ae forest cafe. The views and sweeping descents from Mitchellslack, a very remote farm, never fail to impress.

Finish your ride at Thomas Tosh - cafe near your hotel, it is rather wonderful.

A great ride from the hills to the coast, around 40 miles.

You will head over the high moors where the hardiest of sheep and cattle roam. 

The good thing is, that it is down hill to the coast at Gatehouse of Fleet, but there are a number of short climbs early on in the ride and one long-ish one just before Gatehouse. 

Your destination will be Gatehouse of Fleet by the Solway coast.

Some good food, drinks and a comfortable hotel will await you.

Your gravel routes are a mix and match and can be customised to suit you. But a flavour would be:

Day 5: The first few miles are the same as for the UCI Gravel Series race The Gralloch - a climb up to Fuffock Hill (mispronunciation is allowed once you reach the top - it is now a famous climb in the world of gravel racing, where it is feared by many ). and back via the Old Railway to the iconic Gatehouse Viaduct.

Day 6: Over the hill to Laurieston and then to the quirky town of Kirkcudbright and gravel along the coast and the locals' favourite beaches.

Or, if you fancy more hardcore gravel: a 40+mile route to the iconic Clatteringshaws Loch, and back via Kirroughtree forest and hills to Gatehouse.

Day 7: This will be your departure day. We will bring you back to the arranged station or to your car.