Coast and Hills
Places of Interest - Castle Douglas Food Town; Sulwath Brewery, Carlingwark loch; Threave Castle and Garden; Dalbeattie museum; Sandyhills beach; Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve; John Paul Jones visitor centre; Sweetheart Abbey; Galloway Conservation Park; Galloway Hydros VC; David Coulthard museum; Kirkcudbright artsist town; Cardoness Castle; Cream o' Galloway ice cream farm; Kilt making centre; Mill on the Fleet. Tea Rooms, Pubs and Restaurants recommended. Places of Interest List.
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Day 1: Kippford to Sandyhills – 7 miles – Coastal.
You can walk the length of this walk and return to Kippford or Rockliffe by bus or walk back by the same coastal path to cover 14 miles. This is a truly spectacular walk mentioned in several Scottish walking books. Firstly following the shore to Castle Point with spectacular views over the Solway Firth to the Lake District of England. The long coastal path rises along the cliff tops to the ruined Gutcher’s House. In the nesting season birdwatchers can enjoy seeing guillemots, gulls, cormorants, ravens and birds of prey. Further along you pass a cairn in memory of a ship which sank in 1866. Passing the hamlets of Port o’ Warren and Port Ling, the path continues in a dramatic fashion to arrive at Sandyhills – the best beach in the area. There are several options for refreshment in the area.
Day 2: Castramont – Big Water of Fleet circuit - 14 miles – Hills, Countryside, Moorland and Forest.
Today’s walk takes you into peaceful hilly countryside, through a forest and return to near Gatehouse of Fleet by the Big Water of Fleet glen. One striking feature is the Big Water of Fleet viaduct which is the focal point of this peaceful area which has picnic facilities and is popular with visitors.Scottish Natural Heritage have also created the area as a nature reserve, small visitor centre and operate a working farm here. Here you can learn about the wildlife of the area. The walk partly follows the old disused railway line and has the majestic granite crag, The Clints of Dromore, as a backdrop. The last downhill part follows the National Cycle Route before returning to your car near Rusko Castle.
Day 3: Kirroughtree - Cairnsmore of Fleet – 6 miles – Hill climb.
If you would like a hill walk close to Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, Cairnsmore of Fleet hill at 711 metres would fit the bill. You can walk the 1.5 miles from Kirroughtree to the Cairnsmore start point. The 3 miles distance to the summit of the highest hill in the area takes between 2 and 2.5 hours. Near the top is a cairn which commemorates military planes which crashed into the hillside in World War 2. You get fantastic views of Wigtown Bay, the Lake District, Isle of Man and the Galloway Hills to the north on a fine day.
Day 4: Barlaes Hill or Mackilston Hills – 8.5 or 11.5 miles – Hills and Moorland.
From St. John’s Town of Dalry you follow the Southern Upland Way walking route signs for 4 miles before heading back using the quiet National Byways cycling route road with fine views over Carsfad and Earlstoun lochs. You have the option of walking a longer route for nearly another mile on the Southern Upland Way before branching off to follow the Black Water river to a youth hostel near Kendoon. The quiet road follows the Water of Ken valley and lochs back towards Dalry.