The Mabie Phoenix Trail is a mixed cross-country route in stunning woodland, with ‘natural’ trails complementing classic 7stanes singletrack.
Butterhole Climb and The Ridge
Riding out of the car park you soon leave the road for an easy lead out through tall, open woodland. As you leave the trees, a sharp left turn and a short rocky snap starts the Butterhole climb. After the stiff initial section, the gradient eases for a while then gets steeper again before two wide sections of raised wooden trail lead on to a forest road.
If the weather has been good and the ground is dry, turn left to gain the start of the climb to The Ridge. As you reach the crest, enjoy the view, before taking the line parallel to the dyke on a variable surface, ending in a rapid descent that lands you back at the top of Butterhole Climb again.
Note: If conditions are wet you are advised to miss this section out, unless you like a muddy challenge. To miss out the Ridge, turn right at the top of the Butterhole climb. The road leads on to the Contour Climb.
Contour Climb
Turn right, leaving the road, carry your speed and negotiate a small water splash before a short, rough, twisting climb eases to a narrow traverse spiced with roots and rocks. This in turn leads onto a contouring trail with fine views that eventually turns uphill at the start of Decender Bender.
Descender Bender, The Burn Splash and The Scorpion
Starting as a switchback climb, with the steepest and trickiest bit near the top, you will be ready for the gravity-assisted descent that follows. Watch out for rocky obstacles and a sharp drop off early on before the gradient increases through some tight berms. Crossing the road slows things briefly before more fast, bermed descending and a small water splash.
The next road crossing allows you to carry speed into the Stan’s Pond section that follows, with its fast rolling surface. Soon, after the last of the berms, the trail reverts to “old school” and a rough descent to the Burn Splash - a big one this time, followed by narrow, natural-feeling trail that rears up into the Scorpion, a climb thats a true sting in the tail and a local test piece.
The Roller Coaster
A short section of forest road allows you to recover from The Scorpion before the short climb up to The Roller Coaster. The trail winds and twists upwards, before plunging down in a series of dips and crests on more glorious singletrack. The track is briefly interrupted by the forest road, then you’re back on more of the same, en route to The Elevator.
The Elevator and The Bad Step
Steady climbing at the start with sections of North Shore soon eases, and you eventually contour the side of Marthrown Hill, with a fine view of Dumfries and the hills to the north. With the high point reached, a rapid descent follows, leading to varied going before the Bad Step concentrates the mind. No easy way around this one, so ride it or walk it - the choice is yours.
Rattle 'n' Hum
A short, rooty descent takes you back to that rocky snap at the start of the Butterhole Climb. With tired legs it may seem harder than before, or you may be warmed up by now and find it easier. Either way, don’t continue up the rest of the climb unless you are going round again. Instead, branch left on to Rattle 'n' Hum. It’s smooth to start with but the surfaced trail soon ends and you finish on a narrow trail full of roots and rocks with a final swooping descent back to the start.
Distance: 17km
82% singletrack
Estimated time to ride the route: 1 - 2 hours