e2e.bike

Cycling adventures across Britain and beyond

Menu
  • End to Ends
    • Britain
    • Ireland
    • France
    • Spain
    • Portugal
    • Belgium
    • Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
    • Austria
    • Switzerland
    • Denmark
    • Czechia
    • Slovakia
    • Poland
    • Latvia
    • Cuba
    • Sri Lanka
    • Taiwan
    • Isle of Man
    • Faroes
    • Liechtenstein
  • Coast to Coasts
  • Yorkshire Ridings
  • Others
  • Writings
Menu
← PreviousNext →

Britain 13 (D2S 3): Clatteringshaws Loch to Stranraer

Posted on 25 May 20132 April 2021 by Rob Ainsley


A glorious morning, and what a view to wake up to: the mirrorlike waters of Clatteringshaws Loch in the heart of Galloway Forest Park, right there in front of my tent (picture). And all mine: not another soul for, literally, miles. Not quite mirrorlike enough to see my haggard reflection clearly, which after two weeks of cycling is probably just as well.


I went offroad 15 miles through fabulous loch and mountain scenery (picture) along National Cycle Route 7. Being a Sustrans ‘trunk route’, it was quite breathtaking: I had to keep gasping in amazement at how bad much of the surface was. Luckily I have 38C tyres on my tourer, though here, tractor tyres wouldn’t have been out of place.


After a lot more lovely Galloway scenery on back roads – where ‘rush hour’ is a tractor and car in the same hour – I got to Stranraer mid-afternoon (picture).


Stranraer’s clearly not a boom town, and the relocation of the Stena ferry port in 2011 to Cairnryan, up the road, hasn’t helped. Even the poundshop here has closed down. The harbour (picture) was hardly bustling, but the Custom House pub certainly was, with lots of families, and locals, and bike bloggers using the wifi.

Dunbar to Stranraer has been a memorable and very pleasant trip, with some of Scotland’s less-visited but glorious scenery. There were some of the most enjoyable downhills I’ve had in Britain, and two of the most beautiful and memorable campsite (both by lochs). But, er, just as well I didn’t come here for the beer.

Miles today: 48
Miles since Dunbar: 183
Miles since starting at Penzance: 893

Previous
←   Britain 12 (D2S 2): St Mary’s Loch to Clatteringshaws Loch
Next
Britain 14: Stranraer to Kirkmaiden to Stranraer →

You are here

e2e.bike > Coast to Coasts > Rhyming Coast to Coasts > Britain 13 (D2S 3): Clatteringshaws Loch to Stranraer

Recent Posts

  • Thankful Yorks 3 and 4: Norton-le-Clay and Cundall 10 July 2025
  • Thankful Yorks 2: Catwick 25 June 2025
  • Schleswig-Holstein: That is the question 6 June 2025

Random Posts

  • Netherlands 7: Steenwijk to Groningen20 March 2024
    A lovely long, easy day of tailwind scooting along the LF9’s make-believe …
  • Spain 14: Bilbao22 April 2019
    Yesterday we were on a coach from Gijón to Bilbao, from where …
  • Loch Tay 3: The Trossachs20 August 2017
    Super day of cycling alongside Trossachs lochs: Venachar, Drunkie, Ard, Chon, Katrine, …

Search e2e.bike

Find me

        
Facebook • Twitter • Linked In • Email
© 2025 e2e.bike | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme