Don’t be tempted to simply walk up to the monument to Alexander Murray and then head back to the car park. This short but strenuous walk has plenty of interest including some great views and a series of waterfalls. There are several other places to explore while you are in the area including the goat… Continue reading Murray’s Monument
Category: Stewartry
Kirroughtree Forest Trails
Kirroughtree is a great forest to visit, with a selection of walks, lots of bike trails, activities for kids and a great visitor centre with cafe. Unfortunately the information on the D&G leaflet is out of date as the walks have all been amended since it was produced (and at the time of writing more… Continue reading Kirroughtree Forest Trails
Laghead to Lagg
This walk is a good choice for a winter’s day as it is fairly easy going underfoot and means there is less traffic on the road sections – which comprise most of the route. The track between the two farms is the most interesting part of the walk but note that it does include a… Continue reading Laghead to Lagg
Black Water of Dee
There is some storm damage on this short walk but nothing that presents too much of a challenge. The leg along the side of the Dee is particularly enjoyable although the path was not always clear when I visited in August – I imagine it is easier to find when the vegetation isn’t so high.… Continue reading Black Water of Dee
Dundeugh Forest
Although a lot of storm damage was still visible at the time of my visit (August 22) the main trail is now open. The route is along forest tracks which are generally level passing through mixed woodland and spruce plantations, with views in some places – particularly at the confluence of the Waters of Deugh… Continue reading Dundeugh Forest
Cally Woods Trail
These woods are a lovely place to wander around for an hour or two, so it doesn’t really matter that this particular trail has become indistinct in places. New paths have been marked out and many of the old trail markers have disappeared, but you can near enough follow the old Coronation Trail and in… Continue reading Cally Woods Trail
Dalry to Black Water Bridge
This long circular walk takes you along part of the Southern Upland Way (SUW), then a couple of miles along the side of a burn, before an 8 km return along a quiet country road. The SUW section is a generally well maintained path although some short sections will be wet in all but the… Continue reading Dalry to Black Water Bridge
New Galloway to Dalry
A there-and-back-again walk along the flood banks of the Water of Ken. The path is quite rough in places and I suspect will be rather overgrown in summer, for some short sections I was already squeezing between gorse bushes in March. The route involves three short stretches along the side of the A713 which is… Continue reading New Galloway to Dalry
Red Haven
Parking is now available on the left about 200 metres down the road to Balcary, which allows you to access the Millenium Garden and footbridge, leading on to the playing fields where the walk starts. Much of the footpath has been improved but there are still some short sections which can be very muddy. There… Continue reading Red Haven
Brighouse Bay
This walk has three distinct sections – a walk though scrubby woodland alongside the Brighouse caravan park, a coastal path, and a return leg through farmland. For me, the second section was the highlight of what would otherwise not be a very attractive route. Particularly if the ground is wet (as it was when I… Continue reading Brighouse Bay