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The National Geographic magazine was founded in October 1888, nine months after the National Geographic Society was established in Washington, D.C and, over almost 140 years of publication, has become a showcase for pioneering photojournalism, including ground-breaking underwater colour photos and aerial views. In later decades, it shifted heavily toward global environmentalism, wildlife conservation and deep-dive photojournalism. The magazine is published in dozens of local-language editions globally, reaching millions of readers each month while continuing to fund science, research and exploration.
In recent years, National Geographic Travel has evolved as the dedicated travel and exploration arm of National Geographic, offering global destination guides, journalism and curated tour experiences. Their speciality is drawing attention to particularly special destinations around the world that offer something unique to intrepid travellers. Every year they publish a 'Best of the World' list, which highlights the most exciting travel destinations on the planet.
That's why we're over the moon that Dumfries and Galloway, our very own South-west corner of Scotland, has been named by National Geographic as one of the best places in the world to travel to in 2027!
We've always known that Galloway is a very special place, but to have this confirmed by one of the top travel publications in the world has blown our minds! The global travel experts have called Dumfries and Galloway one of the most breath-taking places on earth, specifically mentioning that cyclists will find a lot to love here. We've been trying to encourage more of our clients to visit this quiet, picturesque corner of Scotland but many people would prefer to have a cycling holiday in one of the more recognisable regions of the UK, like the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands. It really is such an uplifting feeling to have our own sentiments about the amazing potential of cycling in Dumfries and Galloway confirmed by such a prestigious publication.
You can read exactly what National Geographic Travel have to say about Dumfries and Galloway here. You can also have a look at the other 24 places that they have selected as 'The Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2027' here.
Peter and I have spent the last 20 years developing and promoting mountain biking tours, cycle touring routes and, more recently, gravel biking trips in Southern Scotland. It's so uplifting for us to know that our gorgeous region of Scotland has received the recognition that it deserves. We already offer several biking tours, including mountain biking trips, gravel biking tours and cycle touring routes in Dumfries and Galloway including the Kirkpatrick C2C road biking route, the Southern Upland Way MTB tour and the Gallovidian Gravel route. We also have our unique and spectacular Solway Coast Tour which explores our stunning and varied coastline, including spectacular cliffs, gorgeous sandy beaches and pretty, bustling harbour towns.
Contact us now to start planning your bespoke cycling or mountain biking adventure in Dumfries and Galloway, or in any other part of the UK!
Biking Tours in one of National Geographic's Best Place in the World to Travel to in 2027
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Gallovidian Gravel
Number of days cycling
3 to 6 days
Fitness Range
5-6
- 1 - Very little biking but keen to try
- 2 - Cycle a couple of times a week, a few hours per day on flat terrain
- 3 - Can easily cycle half a day on more hilly terrain
- 4 - Can ride for up to 5 hours per day, gently undulating terrain
- 5 - Can ride for 6 hours per day, some short, steep climbs
- 6 - Can ride for 7 hours per day on hilly terrain
- 7 - Comfortable biking for 8 hours per day including long, steep climbs
- 8 - Cycle several times per week, can ride up to 10 hours per day, steep, physically demanding trails
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Southern Upland Coast to Coast
Number of days cycling
6 days
Fitness
6
- 1 - Very little biking but keen to try
- 2 - Cycle a couple of times a week, a few hours per day on flat terrain
- 3 - Can easily cycle half a day on more hilly terrain
- 4 - Can ride for up to 5 hours per day, gently undulating terrain
- 5 - Can ride for 6 hours per day, some short, steep climbs
- 6 - Can ride for 7 hours per day on hilly terrain
- 7 - Comfortable biking for 8 hours per day including long, steep climbs
- 8 - Cycle several times per week, can ride up to 10 hours per day, steep, physically demanding trails
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Kirkpatrick C2C
Number of days cycling
4 to 6 days
Fitness Range
5-7
- 1 - Very little biking but keen to try
- 2 - Cycle a couple of times a week, a few hours per day on flat terrain
- 3 - Can easily cycle half a day on more hilly terrain
- 4 - Can ride for up to 5 hours per day, gently undulating terrain
- 5 - Can ride for 6 hours per day, some short, steep climbs
- 6 - Can ride for 7 hours per day on hilly terrain
- 7 - Comfortable biking for 8 hours per day including long, steep climbs
- 8 - Cycle several times per week, can ride up to 10 hours per day, steep, physically demanding trails
Join us on a spectacular gravel biking tour in Dumfries and Galloway
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The Gallovidian Gravel route is a fantastic new gravel biking tour through Galloway. Nestled in southwestern Scotland, Galloway offers diverse terrain that blends rolling hills, gorgeous coastline, tranquil lochs, and enchanting forests, creating an idyllic setting for an unforgettable gravel biking holiday experience.
The Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast Cycling route traverses Dumfries and Galloway
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The Kirkpatrick coast to coast cycle route is a fantastic road biking challenge, covering 250 miles of peaceful country roads over rolling countryside from Portpatrick, on the Irish Sea coast, to Eyemouth, south of Edinburgh overlooking the North Sea.
The Southern Upland Way is a fabulous C2C MTB route across Southern Scotland
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Our Southern Upland Way coast to coast mountain biking holiday is a pioneering route across one of the widest and wildest parts of Scotland. This mountain biking tour leads the intrepid cyclist on an adventurous coast to coast crossing of the Southern Uplands through stunning, remote wilderness.
Explore the picturesque Solway Coast on our unique cycle touring route
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Galloway's coastline provides an amazing backdrop for a fantastic cycling holiday. Come and explore this a forgotten corner of Scotland along miles of deserted road through beautiful, green, rolling countryside, perfect for a cycling tour along the Solway Coast.
Both Sophie and myself much enjoyed the trip, it was precisely what we were hoping to find in Wales. I had been in Snowdonia before but that was by car...