By Car

If you have a SatNav, tap in DG1 1QB to reach Ae forest. If not then the following directions will get you here.

From Dumfries Take the A701 towards Moffat and the A74(M). After about 10km, look for signs to Ae village. Take the left turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area. 

From Glasgow Follow the M74 south to junction 15 (Beattock) and join the A701 towards Dumfries. After 19km look for the second turn off for Ae village on the right. Take the right turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area.

From Edinburgh Follow the A702 south through Biggar to join the M74 at junction 13 (Abington) and then continue on to junction 15 (Beattock) and turn off onto the A701 towards Dumfries. After 19km look for the second turn off for Ae village on the right. Take the right turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area.

From Carlisle Follow the A74 north. There are options at Gretna to take the A75 to Dumfries and then on to the A701, however, continuing north to junction 16 (Annandale Water services) of the A74(M) then heading via Johnstonebridge and minor roads to join the A701 at St Ann's is slightly shorter. At St Ann's, turn left onto the A701 towards Dumfries and continue for 9.5km to the second turn off for Ae village. Take the right turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area.

From Stranraer Take the A75 east to Dumfries, then join the A701 towards Moffat and the A74(M). After about 10km, look for signs to Ae village. Take the left turn off the A701 to the village. Go through the village (about 4 km from the turn off) and turn right into the Forestry Commission area.

By Bike

National Cycle Route 7 runs through Dumfries.

Ae Bike Shop & Cafe can be reached by bike using a combination of cycle path and minor road from the centre of Dumfries.  The cycle path to Locharbriggs starts beside Dumfries station.  At Locharbriggs, the minor road that leads to Ae is signposted for cyclists.  The trail head is around 14km from the centre of Dumfries.

By Bus

Buses run regularly between Dumfries and Moffat, stopping at Ae Bridgend and Parkgate, both roughly 4.5km from the trail head.  The main service providers are MacEwan's coaches and Stagecoach West Scotland.  Journey time varies from   30 - 40 minutes.  Please note that bikes cannot be carried on these services.

For bus journey planning in Scotland use TravelineScotland.

By Train

The nearest station is at Dumfries, approximately 14km from the trailhead.  Regular direct daily trains to Dumfries travel from Carlisle, Newcastle and Glasgow.  If travelling from Edinburgh, it is easier to travel to Carlisle then change rather than going via Glasgow.

Journey times to Dumfries are around 35 minutes from Carlisle, 1hr 45 mins to 2 hours from Glasgow and 2 hours direct from Newcastle (add half an hour if changing in Carlisle).  From Edinburgh, journey times vary, but the shortest trip is just over 2 hours with a change in Carlisle.

Train connections are available from Stranraer and Troon, if arriving by Ferry from Northern Ireland.  Journey time to Dumfries is around 3 hours from Stranraer and 1hr 30 minutes from Troon. 

For further information on rail travel in Scotland and the UK use National Rail.