Bargaly Wood is a pleasant 6km trail, which can take anything from 30 minutes to an hour to complete. It's ideal for first timers, families and kids - or those who reckon it’s been too long since they were in the saddle!
The route takes you along forest trails, farm tracks and quiet public roads in a mixed woodland and pastoral setting, with views up Bargaly Glen and to the hills beyond.
The old nursery
Starting out through the open areas and fragmented woodland of the old forest nursery you soon reach the forest edge. You climb briefly on a wide path though some very fine conifers, before a similar descent brings you down to the Little Park Farm road.
Papy Ha
An easy spin along the road takes you past the site of Papy Ha. The name refers to a site of a holy dwelling long since derelict and comes from 'Papy', the Norse for a preacher or teacher, and 'Ha', the Saxon word for hall or house.
Continue on, pass through the farmyard and follow the course of the old road through a couple of fields. As the views up the glen to the Galloway hills start to open out you might find you have a few cows or sheep for company! Note that the track can be a bit muddy in winter.
Palnure burn
On rejoining a tarmac road, you cross over the rushing water of the Palnure Burn via an old stone bridge and continue easily back down the glen on the road alongside Bargaly Wood. Recross Palnure Burn to reach a short climb back up to the visitor centre.
Distance: 6km
10% singletrack
Estimated time to ride the route: 0.5 hours - 1 hour
If you feel you're ready to take the next step, why not try Kirroughtree's blue-graded
Larg Hill trail?