Glentrool

The Palgowan

The Palgowan Stats

Grade: Green - Easy
Distance: 14Km
Singletrack: 10%
Estimated Time To Ride The Route: 2 hrs

If you choose the Palgowan route, turn left on to the forest road and head north towards Palgowan and more open countryside. After crossing through a field along a muddy farm track, you'll reach a minor public road which you can follow all the way back to the visitor centre.

 

However if you have energy to spare, take the climb around Glencaird Hill with superb views. Before entering the trees for a long descent to the quaint village of Glentrool joining up with the public road using the shortcut .

The Trails view grading charts

Visitor Comments

snowster
01/08/12
A big contrast to the Blue Route, and sadly, not in a good way. One you leave the common entry track, the route follows a forestry road that has evidently been heavily used lately. Lots of brash and mud. Then another forestry road surfaced with loose stone. A charmless second ascent from Palgowan, again on a forestry road. Two stars for the decent descent and return to base. Not family friendly. Not very bike friendly, either.
Robin
08/05/12
Had a great day, last week. The finish to this route is sweet so I went and did it all over again. Enjoy
William Barker
11/03/12
Amazing trail...
the best part is at the end where you come flying down the hill back to the park...
Jim Stevenson
24/05/10
Went with my partner and 7 yr old daughter on Palgowan route. Was a great route apart from when you get to Palgowan farm itself where you have to go through the farmers field where cows are kept. Farmer had been feeding cows down at the bike trail and trail had turned into a quagmire which my partner and daughter got stuck in up to their ankles in muck and cow dung. I had to rescue them from sinking further by lifting them and bikes across the sea of mud. Also, cows wouldn't get out of the way which scared the bejesus out of my daughter. Trail was ok from there to the end. In hindsight was maybe a bit far for my daughter as we did the Glencaird Hill loop near the end.
Bungo Boy
16/10/09
Only obstacles are 2 gates to open and close behind you!

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Facilities

Catering

 Forestry Commission Scotland is currently tendering for businesses to run the catering at all the visitor centres in the Galloway Forest Park.

We are hoping to get caterers in at Kirroughtree as soon as possible and at Clatteringshaws and Glentrool once the centres are fully open, hopefully at the end of July.

In the meantime, if you are visiting Kirroughtree, you can still get light refreshments from the Breakpad bikeshop.
We apologise for any inconvenience whilst the construction work to upgrade and build all the centres is carrying on. We promise to keep the website up to date to keep everyone informed of any changes. www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark

Nearby Newton Stewart also has a good selection of places to eat and drink.

Parking

Car parking is available at Glentrool Visitor Centre. Parking costs £2 per day.

 

Toilets

Works are still on going at the visitor centre and the new toilet block.

Bike Hire

There is  a seasonal bike hire service from The Break Pad, Tel 01671 401303 or contact www.thebreakpad.com for more details.

Bike hire also available from Courtyard Cycle Hire on Tel 01671 830286 or contact www.courtyardcyclehire.co.uk.

Kirkcowan Cycles sell bikes and  offer a repair service, Tel 01671 830286 or contact www.kirkcowancycles.co.uk

 

Trail Conditions

Current at 18th June 2013.

Trails: Open with diversions, see below. 

Conditions: Good.

Diversions: Diversions on the Purple big country route from the Caldons road end at marker 50 to marker 13. Please follow the main road from the Caldons to the Brogan. At marker 34 to 39 the trail is diverted the back onto the main road round by Clatteringshaws loch due to harvesting at the black loch.

Other: Glentrool Visitor Centre : Closed  

Telephone: 01671 840302.

 

Today's Weather

Partly Cloudy
52°F / 11°C

Further Information

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