Although the Glentrool Blue Route is moderate in both length and difficulty, it has a long, final descent which should appeal to riders who wouldn’t normally consider a route of this grade. The views are pretty good too!
Mostly off road, the purpose-built singletrack is wider than the trails at nearby Kirroughtree and has none of the rocks and roots found there, so it shouldn’t prove intimidating to less experienced riders.
It’s not without challenge though, as it climbs 218m to the Green Torr overlooking Loch Trool, before descending quickly back to the visitor centre.
The ascent is fairly gentle, with just a few steep snaps, but coming back down is steeper and you should make sure everyone knows how to use their brakes effectively.
A trail of two halves
Starting from the bridge by the visitor centre the trail soon crosses the Black Linn (bridge) and meanders along its banks, through tall larch trees, before joining a minor forest track.
The route climbs out of the trees and on to the first of four sections of contouring singletrack that gain height gradually up around the Pulnagashel Glen.
As you cut in and out of the trees, the views start to open out, getting better and wider as you continue up, until a final pull on a forest road brings you to the highest point of the route.
What goes up must come down
Continue along the forest road (downhill this time). A brief descent on a wide track is followed by a short singletrack climb onto the Green Torr Ridge overlooking Loch Trool.
Rest a while, take in the view over the loch and the hills beyond and prepare for the long descent ahead. “Then you’re off”, with only the odd turn of the pedals needed to keep you speeding on down Torr Lane.
Bermed corners at halfway slow you down, or allow you to carry your speed depending on how you ride them, and a final turn will land you back on a forest road.
It’s not over yet though - after a very brief roll along the road, the trail heads down through the trees on more swooping track, with a further helping of bermed corners eventually bringing you back to the bottom of the glen and the welcome of the visitor centre café.
Distance: 9km
65% singletrack
Estimated time to ride the route: 1 - 2 hrs