Ae Forest Walks and MTB
This route explores the Ae Forest in Dumfries and Galloway.
The expansive forest has miles of walking and mountain bike trails to try. You can start from the Ae Forest car park located near Ae village at the southern end of the woods. Then head north into the forest where you can enjoy views of the Water of Ae.
On the north western side of the forest you can visit the pretty Loch Ettrick and the Crichope Linn waterfall.
You can see the mountain bike trails marked in blue and brown on the open street map below. The video below gives an example of some of the red and black trails you can find at the site.
Postcode
DG1 1QB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Ae Forest Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Ae Forest Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Ae Forest OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Ae Forest Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
More woodland cycling and walking trails can be found in the nearby Mabie Forest and Dalbeattie Forest. Also not far is the 17th century Drumlanrig Castle. The castle is surrounded by extensive grounds with several waymarked walking paths and some challenging mountain bike trails to try.
The long distance Romans and Reivers Route starts in the forest. This 52 mile route follows the old Roman Roads to Hawick in the Scottish Borders. Following the trail north east will take you to Moffat where you can enjoy a riverside walk along the River Annan on the Annadale Way.
To the south east there's Lochmaben where you can enjoy a lovely circular trail around Castle Loch. There's also the remains of the 12th century Lochmaben Castle to see here.
The Caledonian Cycleway passes through the forest. The waymarked route runs from Dumfries to Beattock near Moffat.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Junction of forestry roads in Ae Forest
Water of Ae
Tracks meet, Forest of Ae. Five ways meet at this point, one of the more open areas of the forest.
Water of Ae flowing south
Cycle Trail in Forest of Ae
Above White Naze, Forest of Ae. Below the knoll in the middle distance the land drops steeply down to meet the confluence of the Capel Water & the Water of Ae. Looking ENE.
Footbridge over the Water of Ae. Other than the trees, the Water of Ae is the main feature of the Forest of Ae. The forest is situated in typical Scottish border country of gently rolling hills, which rise from 120m above sea level at Ae village to over 500m on the upper slopes of Queenberry. The origin of the name 'Ae' is unknown, but it is listed in the Guinness book of records as the shortest British village name.
Forest of Ae. The area surrounded by the wall (behind it in the picture) is shown on the map (revised 2000) as being unplanted, but is now filled with trees.