Mountain Biking
Biking in the Valley
There is plenty to offer for the keen mountain biker in the Douglas area, from forest trails to hardened access roads, there is something for every level of mountain biker.
From routes for families and beginners, to black graded routes for experienced riders, this page will hopefully be able to guide you in the direction of your next bike route.
Graded Trails
Originally developed in 1999, the Mountain Bike Trail Grading System is widely used across the UK to grade way-marked off road cycling trails. The following Graphic sums up each level. For more detail, visit British Cycling.
Below, you will find a list of graded trails and their instructions. Happy cycling!
Hagshaw Hill
GRADE RED – DIFFICULT
From Douglas head west on the A70, once past the primary school take a second right and head for Douglas West. Once at the top of the hill keep straight ahead on to the hardened track. You are now entering the windfarm site.
The track winds its way up to a junction , bear left. Follow the road past the first few windmills, you will see the cairn on the top of the hill in front of you. At the next junction bear right towards the cairn.
You are now entering a loop on top of the hill, keep bearing left and you will come back to the access road. After all your hard effort you can now enjoy the obvious decent back to Douglas.
BEWARE OF LIVESTOCK,SERVICE AND CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC ON THESE ROUTES.
Stable Lake
GRADE GREEN-EASY
At the bottom of the Main St is the main entrance to Douglas & Angus Estates,from here you can enjoy a lovely easy route around the 1st pond with the family etc.The surroundings are beautiful and tranquil and the path is easy to follow,make your way straight ahead,once through the cattle grid follow the hardened road and just keep close to the edge of the water all the way round.
The road makes way for a trail and eventually brings you back to the main entrance.Along the way there are plenty places to stop for a picnic,feed the swans and watch the bird life on the water.
Douglas to Sanquhar
GRADE RED - DIFFICULT
This route is very remote and you will lose mobile signal,be prepared for breakdowns, carry extra food and clothing. It also offers beautiful scenery and cracking views along the way.
Starting from Douglas head west on the A70 towards Glespin,take the first left turn for Crawfordjohn.
Take the single track road on your right signposted for Glentaggart 820/269
Follow the tarmac road till it becomes a track 792/235
Keep straight ahead for Auchendaf,bear right and bypass Auchendaf.
You will pass a croft on your left Kennoxhead then eventually come to the Cleughs croft 766/245
Once past the Cleughs bear left and ignore track on right,follow forest track and next junction 746/223,bear left and steadily go downhill and over a bridge.
Start climbing,at the top of the hill 755/223 bear right.
The next junction is the one for Muirkirk (signposted) 737/202 keep straight ahead bearing left.
Steadily descending now you will eventually reach Blackgannoch Croft 754/177 bear right onto single tarmac road.
This road will eventually take you past a radio mast on your right,then a cracking descent towards Sanquhar.
Once at the bottom 776/111,turn right onto the B740,then left onto the A76.
Sanquhar is less than a mile away.
Sanquar offers good amenities, shops, hotels, acomadation, banks and cafe's.
Nutberry Hill
GRADE RED - MODERATE
Nutberry Hill can be seen from miles around and lies over towards Strathaven from Douglas/Coalburn. Access can be obtained via Hagshaw Hill from Douglas West.The route is mainly hardened forest double track which provides a great surface to ride on and takes you 10 miles inland away from civilisation!
The route takes in nice views, beautiful scenery,tranquility and wildlife.
Starting from Douglas head west along the A70 past the primary school,turn right heading for Douglas West.
From Douglas West enter the Windfarm Site and head for the top of the hill.
811/316 Keep straight ahead through the gate ignoring road to left.
809/316 Keep straight ahead ignoring road to the right.
796/318 Bear left.
779/322 Straight through crossroads(Galawhistle Railway).
771/336 Bear left.
763/325 Bear right.
754/325 Bear right.
743/330 You have now arrived at the loop that circumnavigates Nutberry Hill,take the road to the right.
747/336 Keep straight ahead ignoring the road to the right.
You are now circling the bottom of the hill,the road eventually comes back around to reference point 743/330.
From this point the route retraces its steps back towards Douglas,this may be the road you came but things look different heading the other way