Forest road between trees in Mabie Forest near Dumfries

Where to go · Dumfries and Galloway

Forest bathing at Mabie Forest

Redwoods, tall Douglas firs and larch and beech woods just south of Dumfries, with views over the Nith Estuary.

Mabie Forest lies beside the A710 about four miles from Dumfries, on the road to New Abbey. The trees are a varied mix: redwoods and giant sequoia along a burn near the car park, tall Douglas firs in Dalshinnie Glen, and larch and beech on the higher ground, with views over the Nith Estuary to the Galloway hills. It is a busy family site, with play and picnic areas and mountain bike trails.

The car park is about half a mile in from the forest entrance; Mabie Farm Park is signed just before it but has no road through. The Orchard Trail is a short, wide, firm loop past the redwoods to a sensory garden in Garden Wood. Dalshinnie Glen, about four kilometres, is the better choice for a slower walk among the Douglas firs to Dalshinnie Loch, with some loose stones and tree roots underfoot. The longer Nith View and Lochaber trails are steep, with steps. Toilets are near the main car park.

Practical

Managed by
Forestry and Land Scotland
Parking
Car park about half a mile in from the entrance
Terrain
Wide gravel trails with some loose stones and roots; steep on the longer routes
Nearest station
Dumfries, about 15 minutes by car
Facilities
Toilets including accessible toilets, picnic and play areas, wildlife hide; refreshments at Mabie House Hotel
Opening and entry
Open access, free
Official page
forestryandland.gov.scot

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

A guide within 15 miles of Mabie Forest

More woodlands in Dumfries and Galloway

All venues in Dumfries and Galloway
A path through Dalbeattie Town WoodsDalbeattie ForestMossy pine woods, a quiet loch and old granite quarries on the edge of townPath through the tall trees of Doach Wood near PalnackieDoach WoodSecluded wood with some of the tallest Douglas firs in south-west ScotlandWaymarked trail through the woods at Glen Trool, Galloway Forest ParkGlentrool, Galloway Forest ParkBirch and native oak woods around Loch Trool, beneath the Merrick

Photos: Dalbeattie Forest, Ann Cook (CC BY-SA 2.0); Doach Wood, Richard Sutcliffe (CC BY-SA 2.0); Glentrool, Galloway Forest Park, Billy McCrorie (CC BY-SA 2.0).