The Larg Hill route is a great introduction for novices, families and confident children to Kirroughtree’s narrow, twisting trails. Over half of the route is singletrack, with the occasional small rock drop here and there. Reasonable fitness and basic mountain biking skills will be helpful on this trail.
Warm up with the Taster Loop
If you haven’t ridden singletrack before, or you want to warm your legs up, try the blue-graded Taster Loop. It links the first and last sections of the Larg Hill trail to form a 2km lap in the woods close to the car park. You also pass the skills area on the way out, and a quick run through the blue section will show you what to expect on the main trail.
Larg Hill
Start out by climbing on singletrack that is typical of the ride - involving, but not too taxing. After the initial climb, join the forest road, bearing left at marker 16. Another short stretch of forest road brings you to the next singletrack section, with the entrance through the wall on your right.
On exiting, follow the blue route to the left (the red trail heads off to the right) More rollercoaster singletrack brings you out on the forest road again, but not for long - cross straight over and rejoin the trail. You will soon be dropping back down the side of Larg Hill on a fun, swoopy section of singletrack with a few surprises, so watch your speed!
The route rejoins the forest road and takes you right round the back of Larg Hill through natural woodland. The track can get a bit heavy in the wet, so pick your riding line well.
After a stretch, the forest road forks. Bear to the right for another short climb to the top of Rocky Road.
Rocky Road (and more singletrack)
Rocky road takes its name from the last hundred metres of the trail, where you'll find out what the suspension on your bike is for! As the route winds downhill, you'll come to the rocky section, where you can try out your bike handling skills.
Once you've negotiated the rocks, cross over the forest road and join the next singletrack section. On exiting, turn right and follow the road for a short distance, then turn right at marker 63 back onto more singletrack. At the foot of this, turn left onto the forest road.
Here you've got a choice - turn right at marker 8 to head to the start of the Bruntis, or take on the Doon Hill extension.
Doon Hill
At marker 8, keep on the forest road for the Doon Hill extension. It'll add another 4km (around ½ hr) to your ride. It's mostly on forest road, with one stretch of singletrack, and there are no big climbs, so you can get some speed up if you wish. On a clear day the views are top notch. The extension rejoins the main Larg Hill route at marker 63 - turn left to pick up the trail again.
The Bruntis
Whether you take on the Doon Hill extension or not, more singletrack thrills are in store as you end the ride on a long twisty run down past the Bruntis Loch. The final swoop is through some magnificent trees and joins the last stretch of the Taster Loop to leave you with a smile on your face and a short, easy forest road section back to the visitor centre.
Distance: 10km (14km with Doon Hill extension)
50% singletrack: (Doon Hill extension has 15% singletrack)
Estimated time to ride the route: 1 - 2 hours. Add 0.5 hours for the Doon Hill extension.