BIKE and HIKE [Cancelled] See 2-6a for an alternative moderate walk option which includes the walk section of this route [Go>>]
(Cycle to Craigencallie and Walk via Millfore to Auchinleck)

This is a new venture for our Walking Festival and the route suggested can be adapted to the abilities and interests of our clients. We have included in the price hire of bikes, uplift of bikes, guided walk and transport to the start.

The cycling part starts in Newton Stewart heading to Kirroughtree where part of the 7 Stanes mountain bike routes could be undertaken before following the Old Edinburgh Road, past the Black Loch and finishing at Craigencallie where the bikes will be uplifted.

Depending on the route taken in Kirroughtree the first leg is approximately 18 kilometres. Having abandoned the bikes and had a break, a steep climb for one kilometre takes us to the top of Cairngarroch.

The hill part of the day is wild and remote with the likelihood of sections of wet ground but with no technical difficulties. The route follows a natural line to Millfore, the highest point at 656 metres, to Drigmorn Hill and down the ridge to Drigmorn farm. The top of Millfore gives an excellent view towards Newton Stewart and the whaleback of Cairnsmore of Fleet with the chance to have a completely different aspect of the coires of Larg and Lamachan and the craggy aspect of Curleywee.

The white Lochan of Drigmorn, the setting of many a curling bonspiel in colder times, is also visible. The route over Drigmorn Hill to Drigmorn is a little rough but straightforward and this leads to a forest road and Auchinleck where the party will be picked up and returned to Newton Stewart.

The walking part of the day is 10 kilometres. As this is a completely new idea the organisers will listen to prospective clients, and the suggested route could be modified, but the concept of cycling and walking is the attraction to the Festival. It may well be that cycling, on and off road, could be the focus of a separate festival in the not too distant future???