Gravel riding in Scotland just got better! Gallovidian Gravel joins Cycling UK’s growing collection of long-distance must-ride routes.
Since launching our gravel holiday range in 2023, we’ve sampled some of the best gravel riding in Scotland, so we were delighted to be involved in helping Cycling UK create a new off-road route in Dumfries and Galloway – ‘Galloway Gravel Escape’. Working closely together, we’ve developed our new Dumfries and Galloway cycling holiday alongside the Gallovidian Gravel route, making it easier than ever for riders to experience this long-distance adventure. With added support and seamless logistics, our new gravel holiday lets you enjoy the route hassle-free.
To find out more, we caught up with two people who played a key role in planning and reccing the route:
- Ross Adams, Cycling UK’s Programme Manager for routes and training. Ross has been coordinating the launch of this exciting new route in Scotland.
Between Ross and Dave they have a wealth of experience cycling in Scotland! Who better to tell us all about what you can expect…
Overview of contents
There’s a lot to unpack in this article! So, here’s a quick breakdown of what we cover below:
Part 1: Introducing Gallovidian Gravel with Ross Adams
- The name origins
- Why Dumfries and Galloway?
- Route development
- Who is it for?
Part 2: Introducing Galloway Gravel Escape with Dave Shuttle
- Key tour stats and map
- Skedaddle vs Cycling UK: the key differences and level of challenge
- Riding highlights
- Points of interest
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Top Tips
- Bike recommendations
Part 1: Introducing Gallovidian Gravel
To learn more about the Cycling UK route, we asked Ross to give us the lowdown:
What does ‘Gallovidian’ mean?
Gallovidian refers to a person from Galloway or belonging to Galloway. The name is thought to have Gaelic origins and it dates back to medieval times (source).
Why did Cycling UK choose Dumfries and Galloway for the next route in the Adventure Series?
As the national cycling charity, we wanted to address the geographical imbalance of our long-distance bikepacking routes across the UK, so Scotland was the clear choice for our next route. As part of narrowing down our options, there were some things for us to consider:
- Scotland already has a strong adventure bikepacking scene with a wealth of fabulous cycling routes, so we scoped regions with fewer lesser-known routes and not on the same radar as honeypot areas, such as Loch Lomond and The Trossachs.
- A key element of our long-distance routes is to create sustainable tourism that positively benefits the locations the routes pass through, bringing new income streams to local economies and potentially extending the visitor window for travellers. We therefore look for regions that are less well-known, slightly off the well-trodden tourist paths, but still provide amazing cycling opportunities, historical stories to tell and views and memories to last well after the tyres have stopped rolling.
- The start/finish location of Dumfries also provided the much-needed train station we aim to incorporate, as well as easy access from other parts of the UK.
Finally, several partner organisations, such as South of Scotland Destination Alliance and South of Scotland Enterprise, were extremely supportive from the off. This opened the doors to publicity, business engagement and route development.
How was the Gallovidian Gravel route developed?
The development of a new long-distance multiday bike-packing route has a multitude of layers behind the detailed GPX and content-busting guidebook.
We start by scoping a region that aligns with our strategy and meets our route criteria. Through a competitive tender process, we then select a route developer to help map the route. This begins with using online resources and building relationships with local landowners, communities, businesses and stakeholders, before we ride it and see how it translates from screen to reality.
Initial route GPX drafts will then go through many iterations before the finished route is ready. We pay careful consideration to fantastic landscapes, points of interest, suitable terrain and distance, as well as places to refuel, rest, and restock.
Then we create a comprehensive media and comms plan along with a fundraising appeal to help Cycling UK develop these routes. We arrange photoshoots, create the accompanying guidebook and webpages. There’s a whole host of other back-office tasks to complete too, involving email user journeys, launch event planning and further route merchandise. In all, it’s quite a hefty undertaking but thoroughly enjoyable, particularly when you get to hear riders’ stories and experiences.
What kind of riders would this route appeal to?
The route will appeal to experienced bikepacking and touring riders looking for their next adventure and region to explore. However, we hope the inclusion of shorter taster loops within the full route will also attract less experienced riders looking to build confidence in bikepacking and gravel touring. It’s also great to have the accompanying Skedaddle holiday for those looking for a supported option.
Gallovidian Gravel is the eighth route in Cycling UK’s series of long-distance bike-packing routes across the UK. Each offers a slightly different experience, but all guarantee an unforgettable ride.
Part 2: Introducing Skedaddle’s Galloway Gravel Escape
Dumfries and Galloway Gravel Tour – Key stats
- Skedaddle 7 days (5 riding days)
- Guided small group tour (5-14 riders)
- Distance – approx 300Km (around 45% off-road)
- Elevation – over 4000m
Looking for more support? Good news, our new guided Scotland gravel tour takes all the hassle out of planning of this Galloway adventure. Our experienced guide, Dave Shuttle, explains what you can expect below:
How does Skedaddle’s newest Scotland gravel tour differ from the official Gallovidian Gravel route?
The Skedaddle version follows much of Cycling UK’s Gallovidian Gravel route, but with a few adjustments to break the tour into manageable riding days and sneak in the best sections of gravel bike trails we could find on our recce.
For example, we’ve combined sections around Newton Stewart with an extra section of brilliant gravel riding to form a day loop ride. We’ve also connected our favourite gravel trails from two days of riding between Dumfries and Dalbeattie.
Our tour also concludes in Kirkcudbright with a transfer included to Dumfries, removing a longer section of road riding.
How difficult is Gallovidian Gravel, and what’s the riding like?
I think it’s one of the best gravel bike routes in the UK! It’s hardly surprising. There are already so many amazing cycle routes in Dumfries and Galloway. Plus the region is home to UCI’s famous Gralloch gravel festival, one of Britain’s top gravel events.
In comparison to the Gralloch, our own Galloway gravel adventure isn’t too demanding. We’ve graded it a 3 out of 5 on our gravel grade system, but this is influenced more by the daily distances and ascent rather than it being overly technical. That’s not to say there aren’t still fun sections of techy riding, but they’re short, and you can walk them if you’re not feeling too confident.
The terrain is a lovely mix of non-technical forest tracks, quiet backroads, grassy bridleways and some singletrack. There is a good amount of climbing (over 4,000 metres overall), which opens up beautiful views and plenty of fun descents. There is so much variety to experience – from open mountain views and vast forests to dramatic coastline and quaint rural towns.
What are the gravel riding highlights?
The cycling in Dumfries and Galloway is beautiful. My favourite days are probably the Newton Stewart loop day (on our fourth riding day), the sections of gravel riding along the coast around Kippford on our first riding day, and on our final stretch to Kirkcudbright on the final day.
The Newton Stewart loop ride has a distinctly remote feel – after a short morning ride on tarmac to warm up the legs, you soon reach wide gravel tracks along Glen Trool and, after a steady climb, are rewarded with spectacular views over wild landscapes. The gravel trails are fun and fast, and it makes for a stunning ride!
I really like the coastal gravel sections, as there is a real variety of terrain, and the riding is flowy and fun. The bumpy, rooted path between Rockcliffe and Kippford puts a smile on your face and leads nicely to the easy trails through Dalbeattie forest beyond. And the coastal section on the final day around the gorgeous, secluded Carrick Bay has expansive views that stretch as far as the Isle of Man on a clear day. The picturesque town of Kirkcudbright, at the end of this day’s ride, is a great place to celebrate the end of your Scotland gravel adventure too.
What else is there to see along the way?
Gatehouse of Fleet is a gorgeous town, which now has a thriving cycle culture and cycle-friendly cafes thanks to the Gralloch race. The fishing port of Kirkcudbright is also known as an ‘Artist’s Town’, and the creative scene here makes it a popular tourist spot.
Once we leave the towns, there’s a real sense that you’ve escaped to the Scottish wilderness. That’s the beauty of gravel riding. You might spot wild goats or birds of prey – red kites or even an osprey.
The hills harbour tales of centuries of turbulent history, and there are numerous historic sites along the way, including Bruce’s Stone. The large, engraved stone overlooks the site of the Battle of Glen Trool, where Robert the Bruce supposedly rolled boulders down onto his English enemies.
What is the accommodation like on the Galloway Gravel Escape?
We’ve chosen a selection of B&Bs and family-run hotels that offer a cosy, comfortable night’s rest, as well as good bike facilities. The Ship in Gatehouse of Fleet is a particular highlight. It’s super bike-friendly with a large bike and e-bike storage area, bike wash and kit drying facilities, and it has a lovely restaurant.
Are meals included?
Breakfast and lunch are included on all riding days. There aren’t many café options outside of the towns, so we’ll be preparing our delicious (and legendary) Skedaddle picnics, as well as coffee stops so you can snack and re-fuel.
Evening meals aren’t included but we typically book a table for the group. So, if you choose, you can join us and share the day’s riding highlights over a hearty meal.
How does this Scotland gravel holiday compare to others in the range?
Compared to our other guided gravel tour in Scotland, Wild About Argyll, I would say Galloway Gravel Escape is less technical and is a bit more manageable for those newer to gravel riding. It offers lots of variety with a mix of coastal trails, big open views and forest tracks. Check out our Scotland gravel riding guide to see how it compares in more detail.
What would be your top tips for anyone thinking about joining Galloway Gravel?
Don’t forget your waterproof
It’s Scotland, and there is every chance we could experience all seasons of weather in a single day. Up in the hills, the weather can be cool and breezy so a good waterproof will also keep you warm in the wind. You might also want to stash a small pair of binoculars for bird spotting and swim stuff for a sea dip!
Do some training
You won’t find any Munros in the Galloway Hills but it’s Corbetts rise up to 850 metres, making it a spectacular mountain setting for a proper gravel adventure. We won’t be summiting any mountains with our bikes, but you do need to prepare for some punchy climbs! Some days have over 900m of ascent, so you’ll want to do some pre-holiday hill training before you go.
Prepare your navigation device
Gallovidian Gravel is not a way-marked route but you can download the GPX to follow. Download it in advance, as there may be no signal, and always carry a paper map just in case. Of course, if you’re doing the ride with us, our guides will be there to show you the way.
What kind of bike is recommended?
A gravel bike is the best bike for this route. A cross-country mountain bike would also work but it would be slow on the roads.
When you book with us, you have the option to hire one of our quality gravel bikes. These are typically Giant Revolt and Liv Devote carbon gravel bikes with tubeless tyres. We recommend a tubeless set-up with 38mm minimum tyres to minimise the risk of punctures. You’ll also want a good range of gears for climbing. Our Giant and Liv bikes have a 2 x 11 drivechain with 32/48 chainrings and 11 x 34 cassette.
Book your next Scotland gravel adventure! Join us on our Galloway Gravel adventure, departing in May and July.
Galloway Gravel Escape
What’s next?
We hope you enjoyed learning all about the Gallovidian gravel route. If you’re looking for more cycling holidays in Scotland, don’t miss: