Monday, 01 April 2019
Wild Watch There's plenty of wildlife in the woods around Kirroughtree, especially if you sit quietly and see what comes to see you. And you don't have to go far to see it - scamper al...
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Where we are
Latest forest information
Season 2023 - From April 1 2023 the visitor centre opening hours are 10 am till 5 pm 7 days a week
The Purple wildlife all-abilities trail is currently closed due t o the trail being washed out after recent heavy rain. Please keep an eye on the webpage for updates on re-opening.
About
Galloway Forest Park’s gateway centre
Whatever the season, there's always something to see and do at Kirroughtree. Even at night, when the stars put on a show!
Relax in the visitor centre, enjoy the view and fuel up for the trails. Wander to the Wild Watch Hide to spot red squirrels and birds, or meander to Bruntis Loch. There's adventure play, mountain bike trails and quiet forest roads for gentle family cycles.
Walking trails
Kirroughtree walking trails route card (PDF)
Walking
Wild Watch Trail (closed)
A trail notice is in effect
This trail is currently closed due to the trail being washed out after recent heavy rain. Please keep a eye on the webpage for updates on re-opening.
A short path to the Wild Watch Hide, where squirrels and woodland birds visit the feeders. Continue further along the path to find Kirroughtree’s second play park.
A firm and generally flat path, with some short gentle gradients. No obstacles. Good in all weathers.
¼ miles / 0.5 km
Allow 30 mins
Walking
Anniversary Cairn Trail
Follow this trail through mature woods to the stunning viewpoint at the Galloway Forest Park 50th Anniversary Cairn, then back past the tranquil Bruntis Loch.
Firm gravel paths with some wide forest roads. Generally moderate gradients. Includes a bridge. Shares some sections with mountain bike trails – look out for bikers.
1 ½ miles / 2.5 km
Allow 1 hour
Walking
Little Bruntis Trail
This path visits both the Big and Little Bruntis Lochs, before heading through mixed woodland with beautiful big beech trees. Keep your eyes open for the workings of the historic tin mines, as well as roe deer and red squirrels.
A firm gravel path. Fairly steep gradients. Includes a short section (100m) on quiet public road.
2 ½ miles / 4.0 km
Allow 1½ hours
Walking
Larg Hill Trail
A scenic circuit around wooded Larg Hill rewards you with great views over Newton Stewart, a visit to lovely Bruntis Loch and follows the course of a tumbling burn.
Firm gravel paths and forest roads, with some sections muddy after rain. Long fairly steep gradients. Includes short section of quiet public road. Shares some sections with mountain bike trails.
4 ¼ miles / 7.0 km
Allow 3 hours
More information
In spring watch out for great spotted woodpeckers nesting close to the roadside – look for tell-tale round holes in dead treetrunks where they nest and bring up their young. Listen for the adults drumming (rapid pecking) in the trees – this is the woodpecker’s way of advertising for a mate and marking its territory.
Mountain biking trails
Kirroughtree is one of the world class 7stanes mountain bike venues. It features a superb variety of green, blue and red graded trails, an extreme downhill section for the serious experts, and a skills area for honing your technique.
Kirroughtree 7stanes route card (PDF)
Mountain Biking
Kirroughtree Skills Area
This small set of trails is an ideal warm up for your ride or, if you are new to mountain biking, they’ll give you a taste of the type of trail features you'll find at Kirroughtree.
More information
You’ll find a lot packed into this small section of trails, where you can practise for the more difficult obstacles you might meet on our longer routes. It’s the best place to perfect your technique before you get down to serious business.
Mountain Biking
Bargaly Wood
Take an easy ride through the scenic Bargaly Glen.
3 ¾ miles / 6.0 km
More information
The perfect route for first timers or children. Enjoy a relaxing ride through the mixed woodland of Bargaly Glen along farm tracks and quiet public roads.
Mountain Biking
Larg Hill
Great if you are looking for something with a bit of added excitement. Offers some beautiful views and the option of the Doon Hill extension.
6 ¼ miles / 10.0 km
More information
Ideal for beginners or kids who are confident on their bikes, this winding route is mainly singletrack with a couple of small rock drops thrown in for good measure.
Mountain Biking
The Twister
A technically testing and physically demanding trail.
10 ½ miles / 17.0 km
Mountain Biking
Black Craigs
Black Craigs combines fast flowing singletrack and rocky technical features to test your skills. A highlight is McMoab, with its huge slabs and ridges of exposed granite linked by boulder causeways.
8 ¾ miles / 14.0 km
More information
From the fast flowing single track to the testing rocky technical challenges, on the Black Craigs you’ll find plenty of exposed granite and features to get your adrenaline pumping.
To reach the start of Black Craigs, follow the red-graded Twister trail to its half-way point.
Activities
Wild Watch
Kirroughtree is brimming with wildlife. Explore the visitor centre to discover what lives in the trees, waterways, open hills - and even high in the trees! It’s a short distance from the centre to the Wild Watch Hide, where you might catch red squirrels and woodland birds feeding. You might even spot roe deer.
Fun for the whole family
The play park at Kirroughtree is a great place for the kids to burn off some energy, and there are several trails suitable for little legs and pushchairs. You could also try out our orienteering trail – work as a team or compete against each other.
Dark Sky Park
Scotland has some of the darkest skies in Europe, and Galloway Forest Park is one of the darkest places in Scotland – which is why it’s the UK’s first Dark Sky Park. Kirroughtree is a brilliant place to enjoy the night sky – look out for information panels at the visitor centre which will help you spot the stars.
Fishing in the Forest Park
There’s great fishing in the Forest Park, including brown trout and pike. You can buy a permit at any of the visitor centres for Loch Bradan, Loch Dee, Black Loch and Spectacle Loch.
Long distance cycle route
National Cycle Route 7 (Glasgow to Carlisle via Dumfries and Glen Trool) also winds through the Forest Park, linking Kirroughtree with the other two visitor centres here. You might not want to tackle the whole 200 miles, but get a taste of the experience on scenic stretches of the route.
Facilities and access
Winter opening hours from 1 November:
- Open Monday - Friday 11am - 3:30pm
- Saturday - Sunday 10am - 4:00pm
Car parking information
The charges to park at Kirroughtree are:
Payment options: coin, card or RingGo
- £2 for up to 1 hour
- £3 for up to 3 hours
- £4 for all day
- £14 for minibus or coach all day
Blue badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.
We recommend you bring both coins and cards with you, just in case. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our local forest list without the £ symbol.
Annual parking passes available:
Available in advance by downloading the relevant application form and emailing to the Regional Office or take your completed form and pay at the cafes at Ae, Kirroughtree or Clatteringshaws. Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions (PDF) before applying.
Galloway Car Park Pass - £50 per car and £110 per mini bus or coach
Valid at Kirroughtree, Glentrool, Clatteringshaws, Carrick Forest Drive and Raiders Road Forest Drive.
Dumfries and Galloway Car Park Pass - £70 per car and £125 per mini bus or coach
Valid at Kirroughtree, Glentrool, Clatteringshaws, Carrick Forest Drive, Raiders Road Forest Drive, Ae, Mabie and Dalbeattie.
FLS National Car Park Pass - £100 per car and £150 per mini bus or coach
Valid at all Forestry and Land Scotland car parks except Tentsmuir.
Bike hire and repairs
Bikes can be hired from the The Break Pad bike shop. You can book your bike online before you visit. The shop also offers repairs, safety checks and friendly advice.
The bike shop is open six days a week from 10am to 5pm. Closed Mondays
You can contact them on 01671401303, email info@thebreakpad.com or message them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thebreakpad.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre and café.
Accessibility
Getting here
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre is well signposted from the A75 at Palnure, about 1.5 miles east of Newton Stewart.
Using SatNav?
DG8 7BE is the nearest postcode. Despite what your satnav may suggest, we strongly recommend you stay on the A75 until Palnure and turn off to the visitor centre there.
Public transport
There are regular buses between Dumfries and Stranraer, via Newton Stewart and Gatehouse of Fleet. Get off at Palnure and follow the signs to the visitor centre – it's about 1 mile (2 km) away on foot. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.
Get in touch
Have a question or suggestion for improvement?
Phone
0300 067 6900 (option 2)
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