Adventure Scotland - brought to you by Scotland's National Tourism Organisation

Ae was the last 7stanes centre to be completed and is located in a large forest beside the tiny village of Ae north of Dumfries.

The Forest of Ae has been a popular venue for many years for mountain bikers there's a great range of trails here to suit all abilities. There's also a well-established downhill scene and the 'Ae Up' uplift service for those who have the ability and fancy tackling a competition downhill course which is 1.6 kilometres long, with a 22ft 'Coffin Jump' and which finishes with a 20ft drop ? all of which takes the top riders around three minutes.

There is some serious climbing too, using a mixture of single-track (some of it high and exposed) and forest roads. Look out for 'The Edge' - a stretch of single-track that takes riders over a high ridge, dropping steeply down to the river on one side, before plunging into the dark forest, for a trail that swoops down thanks to some fast bermed corners and with the impression of speed enhanced by the proximity of the trees. There's numerous bermed corners, tabletops, jumps, double jumps, North Shore and some serious drop-offs that might not be best approached at top speed.

You'll also find some good facilites at Ae including a new cafe, bike shop, bike hire, workshop, showers, toilets, bike wash & parking (Ae Bike Shop & Cafe www.Ae7.co.uk T: 01387 860541)

For details of the uplift service, contact Tally at 'Ae-Up' Lift Service on 07709 144299. £25 gets you up to 10 runs a day and pre-booking is essential.

Activities available