Mabie Forest – Redwoods, a Woodland Loch and Red Squirrels
A few hours.
The route
Mabie Forest covers the low hills between Dumfries and New Abbey, and its gentlest trail wanders under redwoods and giant sequoias beside a burn, or stream.
A longer path climbs through tall Douglas firs to quiet Dalshinnie Loch, and there's an adventure playground among the trees by the car park. It's a woodland morning for walkers and families, with a chance of a red squirrel.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
None of ours is close by: the nearest is The Scullery in Yarrow, 42 miles away. Sleeps 2; next free Fri 13 Nov to Sun 15 Nov.
The day
Mabie Forest
Big trees, a quiet loch in the woods and a playground at the end. Bring boots: the longer path has roots and steep bits.
About two and a half hoursAbout 3 miles on foot
Mabie Forest
Mabie Forest is signed from the A710 between Dumfries and New Abbey; turn in and it's half a mile to the car park. Parking is £1.50 for up to an hour, £3 for up to three hours and £4 for the day at the time of writing, and Blue Badge holders park free. Mabie Farm Park is signed just before the forest, but there's no road through to the forest from it. The adventure playground stands among the trees beside the car park. The Orchard Trail is half a mile on a wide, firm path, about a quarter of an hour, under redwoods and giant sequoias along the burn to a sensory garden and wildlife sculptures. For longer, the Dalshinnie Glen trail runs two and a half miles through tall Douglas firs to Dalshinnie Loch, about an hour and a quarter, with some steep sections, loose gravel and roots. Red squirrels, roe deer and badgers live in the forest, so keep an eye on the branches. Since the old toilet block was lost to storm damage, portable toilets stand by the car park. Mountain bikers share the car park, and some bike trails close for forestry work, so follow the signs. Mabie House Hotel, beside the car park, serves refreshments.
If it rains
The tall trees keep off the worst of a shower, and the Orchard Trail's firm path copes with rain; the Dalshinnie Glen trail's roots and slopes are slippery when wet.
Mabie House Hotel, a restaurant in Dumfries.
Photographs by Georgie Gee and Dorota Krolczyk via Google