18 months after Storm Arwen caused widespread disruption at the end of November 2021 the route suggested by the D&G guide is still impassable. The forest tracks are all cleared, but the path section from the track up to the top of Mark Hill is still blocked. However with a little effort it is still… Continue reading Muckle Walk
Category: Rough
Some rocky and/or muddy parts on this route
Portpatrick to Lighthouse
A circular walk is usually preferable to a ‘there and back again’ route. But not always. The first section of this walk along the coastal path from Portpatrick to the lighthouse is very enjoyable, with good views over the town and across the North Channel to Ireland. Shipping works its way from Cairnryan to Larne… Continue reading Portpatrick to Lighthouse
Balcary to Rascarrel
If you suffer from vertigo then this probably isn’t the walk for you as the first section involves some narrow paths along the top of cliffs and steep banks, but if you dare it you are rewarded with some dramatic views particularly out to Hestan. I completed the full loop but you won’t miss much… Continue reading Balcary to Rascarrel
Trusty’s Hill and Rutherford’s Monument
After passing through the housing on the edge of Gatehouse (bear right at the top where the road divides), the outward leg is a rough path with some muddy patches and a few short climbs. There are good views down the estuary and over the town. The pictish rock carvings and the two monuments are… Continue reading Trusty’s Hill and Rutherford’s Monument
Annan, Waterfoot and Summergate Lane
A walk through the industrial heritage of Annan and along the Merse salt marsh on the edge of the Solway. Despite having driven through and round Annan many times, I had no understanding of the scale of industry that took place in the town during the 19th Century. This walk takes you past the old… Continue reading Annan, Waterfoot and Summergate Lane
Quintinshill and River Sark
The Quintinshill rail disaster is the worst railway accident in British History, with over 200 dead, but is not widely known as it took place during WW1 and news of the accident was suppressed as much as possible. The details of the accident make for hard reading. This walk loops around the site of the… Continue reading Quintinshill and River Sark
Old Church Walk
A couple of miles outside of Kirkconnel, this walk allows views of the local hills without involving any climbing. The car park where the walk starts is also the starting point for a 19 mile walk to Wanlockhead. Just before the remains of St Connel’s Church there is the possibility of a diversion to a… Continue reading Old Church Walk
Dalbeattie to Colvend
Most of this long walk is on easy forest tracks, with some sections along the side of the road. Between Colvend and Rockliffe there is about half a mile without pavement, but the road is not particularly busy. The section from Rockliffe to Kippford is along the Jubilee Path route. There is a shop in… Continue reading Dalbeattie to Colvend
Rockcliffe to Sandyhills
One of my favourites, a beautiful ten mile there-and-back-again walk mainly along the clifftops, with great views on a clear day. If you only want to do it one way I would suggest timing your arrival with the local bus and catching the bus to the other end first so that you aren’t racing to… Continue reading Rockcliffe to Sandyhills
Balloch Wood
Starting from the centre of Creetown this is a somewhat muddy and rocky short looped walk along some woodland paths beside Balloch Burn, which may be best walked in winter or spring when there is better visibility of the burn and its waterfalls. An attractive modern stone circle stands in a clearing near to the… Continue reading Balloch Wood