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Galloway Forest Park


(Average user rating5 unrated 4.6/5)

About Galloway Forest Park

Welcome to the Galloway Forest Park, 300 square miles of mixed landscape - yours to explore!



Read our blog!


Keep up to date with what's happening in the park through our blog.


Newsletter


To get updates on events in the park, sign up to our newsletter.


Walking


Enjoy a peaceful stroll on one of our woodland trails, or if you fancy something a little more strenuous, head out to the hills and climb the Merrick, south Scotland’s highest peak. 


Details of all of our Forest Park walks are in our out and about guide (PDF 5Mb).  With 27 waymarked trails to choose from, there is something for every walker.


Wildlife


Galloway has some of Scotland’s most amazing wildlife - but without the long drive north! Red Squirrels, Otter, Pine Marten, Black Grouse, Golden Eagles, Red Deer and even Nightjar. For more details see our wildlife page.


Dark skies


Galloway Forest Park has some of the best dark skies in Europe - ideal for star gazing. There's more information and details of our aim of becoming a Dark Skies park on the Dark skies page.


Fishing 


There are some fantastic lochs and rivers here, all in beautiful surroundings, featuring a variety of fish from Brown Trout to Salmon.


With permits from £6.00 it’s a great way to spend the day.  For more details see the fishing page in the Galloway Ranger.


Wild camping


Wild camping in the Forest Park is permitted as long as it is done responsibly and in accordance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.


Canoeing


Looking for a place to canoe? Details at www.canoescotland.com and on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website. 


Mountain biking


Some seriously amazing mountain bike trails are here in Dumfries and Galloway. From beginner to adrenaline seeker, there is something for everyone.  See the 7stanes website for more information.


Jobs and opportunities


We agree, the Galloway Forest Park is a great place to work.  For details of all the Forestry Commission's available jobs see the current vacancies page.


Anything else?


Have we missed anything? Please let us know if there's something you can't find.  Email: galloway@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

How to get there:

Newton Stewart, New Galloway, Gatehouse of Fleet, and and Dalmellington and Castle Douglas are the nearest towns or villages.


From the South - M6 to Carlisle, A75 to Newton Stewart signposted to Stranraer.

From Glasgow - A77 to Girvan, A714 to Newton Stewart or A77 to Ayr, A713 to New Galloway.

From Edinburgh - A702 to Abington services, M74 to Beattock. A701 to Dumfries. A75 to Newton Stewart.

OS Grid Reference: NX428855
For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com

Start your visit from:

Wild Goat Park
Barhill Wood
Red Deer Range
Bennan Wood
Laurieston - Kennick Burn
Cally Wood
Glentrool Visitor Centre
Polmaddy
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre
Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre
Whitefield Loch
Kilsture
Knockman Wood
Camer Wood
Penninghame Pond
High Camer wood
Galloway Forest Drives
Carrick - Loch Doon
Kirroughtree Christmas Tree Sales Centre

What's on in Galloway Forest Park

September

  • Red Deer Range - Guided Walk
    Tuesday 8 June 2010
    Thursday 10 June 2010
    Tuesday 15 June 2010
    Thursday 17 June 2010
    Tuesday 22 June 2010
    Thursday 24 June 2010
    Tuesday 29 June 2010
    Thursday 1 July 2010
    Sunday 4 July 2010 to Thursday 8 July 2010
    Sunday 11 July 2010 to Thursday 15 July 2010
    Sunday 18 July 2010 to Thursday 22 July 2010
    Sunday 25 July 2010 to Thursday 29 July 2010
    Sunday 1 August 2010 to Thursday 5 August 2010
    Sunday 8 August 2010 to Thursday 12 August 2010
    Sunday 15 August 2010 to Thursday 19 August 2010
    Sunday 22 August 2010 to Thursday 26 August 2010
    Sunday 29 August 2010 to Tuesday 31 August 2010
    Sunday 5 September 2010
    Sunday 12 September 2010
  • Fishing open day
    Saturday 26 June 2010
    Saturday 21 August 2010
    Sunday 18 July 2010
    Sunday 5 September 2010
    Sunday 19 September 2010

October

November

December
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Facilities:

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopParkingOther Facilities

Activities:

WalkingCyclingForest DriveHorse RidingEducationalFishingWildlife ActivitiesHeritagePicnicView PointArboretumArtsPlay Area

Contact:

Galloway Forest District

01671 402420
e-mail: galloway@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

User Comments

Name: dan quizy (4 Stars)
27/Jul/2010
went for the day with the boys goerge walking.fantastic day out,thank you scotland.
Name: frustrating part2
5/Jun/2010
also, the map you give us to view the sites, you have the number locations covering names of places that would be helpful to know where to go?also, maybe using google maps may be a tad easier for people looking from their own location from wherever.as opposed to an OS map. it is helpful, but not as practical as other websites make it in this now dominated web 2.0 world.
Name: frustrated
5/Jun/2010
you do not make it clear as to how or where to go to see the dark parks???its very frustrating being told, yeah just take the turn off....and then what??i cant miss it??keep driving till i see something, follow the signs for what?? i am soo confused. especially the section labelled where are the dark parks? and you talk about AMERICA?????very frustrating, whats wrong with putting up postcodes so people can use AA route planners??
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