Rights of way and other users
Since the establishment of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act of 2003, mountain bikers, walkers and horse riders have had unrestricted access to vast tracts of Scotland’s magnificent landscape. Unlike England and Wales, however, there are no dedicated bridleways and relatively few way-marked footpaths; indeed, path signposts and waymarkers are generally thin on the ground in Scotland. Because there is no parable system of footpaths, bridleways and byways marked on OS maps covering Scotland, it’s difficult to plan MTB routes in a given area merely by studying the relevant maps. Outside of the trail centres, popular mountain biking routes tend to be established through word of mouth and internet forums by mountain bikers living locally. For people travelling from different parts of the country or from outside of Scotland, the whole prospect of seeking out viable, quality mountain biking routes provides something of a challenge, which is where this guidebook comes in.
Mountain bikers should always give way to walkers and horse riders. Don’t approach walkers or horse riders at speed from behind or in front. When approaching from behind, slow right down and announce your presence with a ‘hello’ so as not to startle man or beast. When approaching from the front, slow down and give a wide berth or stop and make way for them to pass you (some riders use a bell, but experience suggests that some walkers and horse riders find bell-tinkling mountain bikers irksome in the extreme!).
This is more than a matter of politeness; if you approach walkers or horse riders at speed and/or fail to warn of your presence then you might cause a serious accident. There are already far too many walkers and horse riders with a low opinion of mountain bikers as it is, and poor behaviour could lead to some paths and tracks being closed to mountain bikers in future. We’re all ambassadors for our sport and for each other when we’re out on the trails.
Forestry plantation on the Three Brethren, Ettrick Forest (Route 9)
Maps
Ordnance Survey provide map coverage of central and southern Scotland in 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scales (www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/leisure).
ORDNANCE SURVEY 1:25,000 EXPLORER SERIES
342 Glasgow, Paisley, Rutherglen & Kirkintilloch
341 Greenock, Largs & Millport
348 Campsie Fells, Kilsyth, Strathblane & Fintry
OL 38 Loch Lomond South, Dumbarton & Helensburgh, Drymen & Cove
328 Sanquhar & New Cumnock, Muirkirk & Moniaive
329 Lowther Hills, Sanquhar & Leadhills, Wanlockhead & Crawford
318 Galloway Forest Park North, Glentrool, Loch Doon & St John’s Town of Dalry
345 Lammermuir Hills, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg & Gifford
344 Pentland Hills, Penicuick & West Linton
337 Peebles and Innerleithen, Eddleston & Ettrickbridge, Traquair & Yarrow
336 Biggar & Broughton, Culter Fell & Dollar Law
338 Galashiels, Selkirk & Melrose, St Boswells & Lauder
OL 16 The Cheviot Hills, Jedburgh & Wooler
ORDNANCE SURVEY 1:50,000 LANDRANGER SERIES
64 Glasgow
63 Firth of Clyde, Greenock & Rothesay
57 Stirling & The Trossachs
77 Dalmellington & New Galloway, Galloway Forest Park
71 Lanark & Upper Nithsdale
78 Nithsdale & Annandale
66 Edinburgh, Penicuick & North Berwick
67 Duns, Dunbar & Eyemouth
73 Peebles, Galashiels & Selkirk, Tweed Valley
80 Cheviot Hills & Kielder Water
Digital Ordnance Survey mapping of the region is available from www.memory-map.co.uk, www.anquet.co.uk and direct from the Ordnance Survey (www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk).
The most up-to-date 1:50,000 scale Ordnance Survey mapping has been used for the routes in this guidebook. At the time of going to press, the information on the maps included in this guide was accurate. Older copies of some maps may contain information that is at odds with what is included here.
How to use this guide
Each of the routes included in this guide are graded according to the degree of physical effort they require. The grades are as follows:
The grades reflect the length of the route, the number and severity of climbs and the nature of the terrain traversed. Aside from the dedicated downhill and freeriding trails to be found at the various trail centres (route descriptions of which are not included in this guide), there is little difficult or ‘technical’ mountain biking encountered in the areas covered, hence there is no ‘difficult’ grade. There are no ‘easy’ routes included here and, therefore, there is no ‘easy’ grade.
Timings
Each route description has an estimated time for how long it should take to get around. These timings are a rough guide and the actual time will vary depending on fitness and experience, time of year, weather conditions and possible punctures or mechanical problems, as well as ‘re-fuelling’, pub or café stops. Allow yourself extra time for your first try-out of each of the routes in this guidebook.
Distances
Distances are given in kilometres and metres throughout the route descriptions. The total distance given at the beginning of each route is given in kilometres with the equivalent in miles given in brackets. All distances given in metres are linear distances and not height gain, unless specifically stated. ‘Climb for 200m along the bridleway’ means the climb is over a distance of 200m as opposed to: ‘...ascend 200m as you climb along the bridleway for 500m’.
The total route distances are also broken down into off-road and on-road distances, with the off-road total given as a percentage. These off-road/on-road distances are as accurate as possible, allowing for a few grey areas where there’s some uncertainty as to whether a particular section of a route really qualifies as a ‘road’ or not!
The route descriptions are detailed and map references are given where opportunities for uncertainty with route-finding occur. Once you’ve ridden the routes a couple of times they will become more familiar and you can spend less time with your nose in this book! Like following recipes from a cookery book, interpreting these routes in your own way and indulging in a spot of improvisation will adapt them to your own taste.
Although the routes in this guide incorporate the most up-to-date Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 mapping available at the time of publication, you should also carry the relevant OS map sheets with you; you may also want to carry a GPS. Should you get lost or want to find railway stations, pubs, car parks or villages that are off the route, they will allow you to see the wider context.
ABBREVIATIONS