Scotland – best of South Scotland – 25 Sept – 1 Oct

Welcome to Mountain Bike Heaven. That’s how best to describe the 7 Stanes. With this unique trip, you have the chance to experience all the Stanes for yourself.

Day 1

In the afternoon, we gather for departure. And begin the journey with the crossing to the UK. The evening is free to spend on the boat. There is a cinema, live entertainment, casino, duty-free shops, bars, several restaurants or the tranquillity of the cabin. Yes…… the trip has begun.

Day 2

In the morning, the boat docks in the UK and we travel by minibus and bike trailer to Newcastleton, the first MTB location of the trip. On the way, we’ll make a stop so everyone has the opportunity to have lunch. After that, it really is time to get down to business.

Newcastleton is great for getting acquainted with the Stanes. The start is in the middle of the Scottish village and the route first takes you to the Skills Area to warm up. There is such a Skills Area at each trail centre to warm up and prepare you for what to expect on the blue route and red route. On the first day, a total of 35 km of trails await you here.

After spending a day at Newcastleton, we will travel on to the hotel (4.5 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor) where we will stay for the next 3 nights. Owners Alistair and Tatiana are the epitome of Scottish hospitality and, as well as running a good restaurant, they also run a cooked cosy pub.

Day 3

After a traditional Scottish breakfast or your own choice, today it’s time to hit Mabie and Dalbeattie. We start with Mabie where you can continue working on your technique and especially the drop-offs at the Skills Area. Highly recommended! There is also 37 km of red route (a nice combination of flow and technique) and a mini downhill park….

Dalbeattie is a ‘one of a kind’ Stane characterised by the granite rocks. Full use has been made of the rocks on each route which makes for a unique experience. At the start again a Skill Area and there are a number of Taster Loops (freely translated: taster loops) several kilometres long so you get a good idea of what to expect on the route.

Day 4

Today it’s time for Kirroughtree and Glentrool. Although these two Stanes are only a short distance apart, they are completely different in character. Glentrool has a small green and blue route but is best known for its Big County Route’ (58 km). The latter is really for the enthusiast, consisting of wide paths, beautiful lochs while covering 1000 hm in the meantime.

In Kirroughtree, we spend most of our time. It has an extensive visitor centre and offers many facilities such as: bike repair, bike rental (should you want to try a different bike), shop, restaurant (for lunch/snacks), showers, toilets, rinse-off areas etc.

Day 5

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Dumfries & Galloway, but of course not before calling on that region’s last Stane: Forest of Ae.

Again, stunning views, but there’s not much time to check them out as the routes are fast-paced. The red route also contains a few nice enduro sections where you can put your accumulated experience of the past few days to good use.

At the bottom of the route another shop and restaurant so everyone can have lunch before we continue on to the Scottish Borders where we call at Innerleithen. With four downhill lines and a commercial up-lift service, Innerleithen is the place to be for downhillers . The cries of adrenaline can already be heard in the car park. This is very spectacular to check out. Next to the downhill is and also a very beautiful and intense red route. This climbs all the way to the top of the mountain to then arrive back down again in almost downhill style.

We stay 1 of the nicest hotels close to Glentress. There is still time for everyone to do some shopping for the home front or to stock up on supplies. Of course, secure bike storage has been arranged again with the possibility of maintenance/repair.

Day 6

The alarm clock is early today as we want to make the most of the last and largest Stane Glentress. Whoever you talk to about the 7 Stanes, everyone knows Glentress

We ride up-lift several times between the lower car park with restaurant and shops and the higher Buzzard’s Nest. On Glentress, you’ll find tracks like Spooky Woods, Super G, Magic Mushroom, Britney Spears and Berm Baby Berm to name a few.

At the bike rental, you’ll find the latest Specialized and Santa Cruz models if you still have those on your wish list. Once everyone has found his/her final way down, it’s time to leave the Stanes behind and head towards the boat.

Day 7

After a night on the boat, we set foot on solid ground again. That takes some getting used to, gone rugged nature and vast landscapes. On home after an amazing mountain biking experience. It probably feels like a very long time since we left and everyone is a wealth of impressions and experiences richer. That will still take some getting used to for everyone to ride again on the Dutch trails after these award winning 7 Stanes trail centres.