Ae, a region in southwest Scotland, is centered around the expansive Ae Forest in Dumfries and Galloway. This area features a diverse landscape of extensive conifer plantations, rolling hills, and the winding Water of Ae, providing a varied terrain for outdoor pursuits. The region is well-suited for several sports like touring cycling, hiking, road cycling, gravel biking, mountain biking, and jogging, with dedicated facilities enhancing the experience.
Ae offers a wide array of outdoor activities,…
63
Routes
4.5
(43)
Average rating
1627
People visited

4.3
(7)
82
hikers
8.72km
02:23
140m
140m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
85
hikers
5.24km
01:22
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
45
hikers
10.4km
02:46
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

39
hikers
3.51km
00:55
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
491
riders
21.9km
02:16
470m
470m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

98
riders
11.1km
01:01
150m
150m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

86
riders
27.6km
02:40
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

51
riders
22.5km
02:29
590m
590m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.6
(7)
133
riders
13.0km
01:11
200m
200m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
23
riders
9.47km
01:01
280m
280m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
25.9km
02:15
330m
330m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
45.3km
04:25
860m
860m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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21
riders
45.8km
02:01
380m
380m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

15
riders
39.9km
02:02
500m
500m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(3)
13
riders
33.4km
01:34
340m
340m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

11
riders
171km
07:46
1,550m
1,550m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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18
riders
22.9km
02:12
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
15
riders
23.9km
02:08
410m
410m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
34.6km
03:12
630m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
26.8km
02:22
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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12
runners
16.0km
01:48
300m
300m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
8.67km
01:04
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
22.5km
02:34
370m
370m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
10.4km
01:10
170m
170m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Ae offers a variety of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, gravel biking, and jogging. The region features 63 routes across these sports, with options for various skill levels. More than 6,000 visitors have explored the area.
Ae Forest is part of the 7stanes mountain bike network, offering graded trails for all abilities. This includes gentle green routes for beginners and families, challenging red-graded trails, and extreme downhill sections for experienced riders. The trails utilize varied terrain, including singletrack and forest roads.
Ae Forest provides numerous waymarked hiking trails, including options suitable for families. The Water of Ae Riverside Trail offers a gentle walk on a firm gravel surface. For more family-friendly options, consult the Family-friendly hikes around Ae guide.
Ae offers a network of forest roads and scenic country routes suitable for touring cycling. These routes provide a tranquil environment for enjoyable rides. Explore options in the Cycling around Ae guide or the Traffic-free bike rides around Ae guide.
The Ae 7stanes Centre provides amenities for cyclists, including a bike shop, a cafe, bike hire services, workshops, and wash facilities. These resources support mountain bikers and other cyclists visiting the forest.
Ae Forest is a designated 'Priority Forest' for Red Squirrel conservation, offering opportunities to spot these creatures. Along the Water of Ae, visitors may also observe otters, dippers, and herons. The diverse forest environment supports various species.
Ae is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 6,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's 63 routes have an average rating of 4.52 out of 5 stars, based on 275 ratings. Mountain biking and touring cycling are among the most popular sports.
Yes, Ae offers easy hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. The Water of Ae Riverside Trail is a gentle option along the watercourse. Further easy routes can be found in the Easy hikes around Ae guide.
Ae's varied terrain, including forest roads and singletrack, makes it suitable for gravel biking. Information and routes for this activity are available in the Gravel biking around Ae guide. This guide details routes that combine different surfaces.
Ae Forest is characterized by extensive conifer plantations and rolling hills. The Water of Ae winds through the forest, forming a drainage basin. Longer routes offer views of rolling farmland and the Solway Estuary in the distance.
Ae Forest offers mountain biking trails of varying lengths, from shorter green routes to longer red-graded and downhill sections. The total network provides diverse options for different ride durations. Specific route lengths can be found within individual tour descriptions on komoot.
Ae Forest is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. General information is available on their website. For inquiries related to the South region, which includes Ae, contact can be made via email at enquiries.south@forestryandland.gov.scot or by telephone at 0300 067 6900.

