Galloway Forest Park
Explore the rolling Galloway glens and hills to discover picturesque forest trails, three friendly visitor centres, wonderful wildlife and a long and colourful history.
Here you can enjoy great walking, easy family cycling, exhilarating mountain biking or just sit back and soak up breathtaking loch and mountain views and starry night skies.
Start your adventure at a visitor centre
Start exploring at one of the Forest Park’s three visitor centres. Visit Kirroughtree, the gateway centre for Galloway Forest Park, for active adventures. Discover wonderful woods, water, hills and history at Glentrool and enjoy tranquil views over lochs and hills at Clatteringshaws. Kirroughtree and Glentrool are also home to two of the world-famous 7stanes mountain bike trail centres.
A great day out any time of year
The Forest Park has everything you need for a great day out, whatever the time of year. Meet red deer and wild goats, choose from two scenic Forest Drives, follow in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce or picnic beside a peaceful loch. This is also Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park – one of the best places to stargaze in Europe.
Find out more in our Galloway Forest Park Map and Trail Guide (PDF 4.6MB) or in our Galloway Ranger magazine.
Larch disease
You may notice that there has been tree felling work in many parts of Galloway Forest Park. Phytophthora ramorum (larch disease) has caused widespread damage and killed many larch trees, that we were required under plant health law to remove. The felling's changed how the forest looks and feels – but it has also created some amazing views. Come along and have a look.
Award winning
Galloway Forest Park has received a 2017 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. The certificate is given out to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers.
As seen on TV!
Galloway Forest Park and some of the Forestry Commission staff who work there are currently the stars of a new BBC Scotland documentary series. Watch episodes of The Forest on BBC iPlayer.
Forests to visit
Kirroughtree
The ideal place to start your forest adventure, with a great café, trails, wild watch hide and an adventure play park.
Clatteringshaws
Enjoy panoramic loch and hill views from the café, a loch-side stroll to the historic Bruce’s Stone and stunning star-gazing.
Glentrool
A tranquil spot in the heart of the forest, with scenic woodland, lochside trails and big country mountain biking.
Raiders' Road Forest Drive
Follow the winding River Dee between Clatteringshaws and Loch Ken, picnic beside the Otter Pool and watch out for wildlife.
Red Deer Range
Visit the viewing area and hide to get up close to Britain’s largest land mammal.
Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere
Galloway Forest Park is part of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere – promoting conservation, learning and sustainability under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.