Newton Stewart Walking Festival - WalkFest
WalkFest 2006 - supported by Forestry Commision Scotland
NSWF Logo
Supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council

Galloway MRT - supports Newton Stewart WalkFest'07

Programme of Events
Friday 11th May

 Knockeans Hill and Balloch Wood, Creetown

 

 Distance: 8km (5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 300m

Ref 1-1

Route Summary
A gentle stroll that gives splendid views of the Cree Estuary and surrounding hills.

Friday Evening
Ceilidh (from 19-30) in the Galloway Arms Hotel. Live music and buffet £8

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Saturday 12th May

 Loch Doon to Bruce's Stone

+

 Distance: 22km (14 miles)

£8.00

 Ascent: 1177m

Ref 2-1

Route Summary
This year’s big Walkfest challenge is an absolute cracker taking in some of the wildest and most remote parts of Galloway’s mountain landscape.

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 Kirriereoch to Bruce's Stone

 Distance: 15km (10 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 766m

Ref 2-2

Route Summary
A linear walk taking in two tops Kirriereoch and the Merrick with an interesting descent.

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 Merrick via the Murder Hole

 Distance: 15km (10 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 762m

Ref 2-3

Route Summary
A circular walk following the necklace of lochs and a different final ascent of the Merrick.

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 Approach of Edward's Army

 Distance: 11km (7 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 100m

Ref 2-4

Route Summary
This walk follows the route taken by the English army prior to the Battle of Trool in 1307. A local historian will be the leader.

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 Two Day Overnighter [New]

 Distance: 23km (14 miles)

£10.00

 Ascent: 1200m

Ref 2-5

Route Summary
A two day walk of the Merrick area. This is a new venture involving an overnight wild camp on the shore of Loch Enoch.

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 Bike and Hike [New]

 Distance: 28km (18 miles)

£10.00

 Ascent: TBC

Ref 2-6

Route Summary
A mixed day of cycling and walking. Another new addition to our programme invoving an off road cycle to Craigencallie and a walk in the Minnigaff hills.

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 Water of Trool

 Distance: 7km (4.5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 115m

Ref 2-7

Route Summary
A pleasant waymarked family route starting from Stroan Bridge with an optional interpretation quiz for children.

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 Newton Stewart Town Walk

~

 Distance: 7km (4.5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: N/A

Ref 2-8

Route Summary
This popular town walk with a local historian offers an insight to the history and character of the market town.

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 Southern Upland Way - New Luce to Bargrennan

 Distance: 26km (16 miles)

£8.00

 Ascent: 300m

Ref 2-9

Route Summary
With the extension of Walkfest to a week we are offering three sections of the SUW. This is the long middle section going through wild and varied countryside. Saturday evening

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Saturday Evening
Galloway Arms Hotel 8pm
Talk by a local historian focusing on King Robert the Bruce and the 700th anniversary of the start of the fight for Scottish independence.
No charge - Tea/coffee provided.

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Sunday 13th May

 Cairnsmore of Fleet from Gatehouse Station

 Distance: 13km (8 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 610m

Ref 3-1

Route Summary
This easterly approach of Cairnsmore is virtually in open countryside giving wonderful mountain views.

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 The Minnigaff Hills - Caldons to Auchinleck

 Distance: 13km (8 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 750m

Ref 3-2

Route Summary
A traverse of Lamachan and Curleywee descending by the old Drover’s Road.

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 Cruggleton Coastal

 Distance: 9km (5.5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 120m

Ref 3-3

Route Summary
A splendid coastal walk to the remains of the 13th century Cruggleton Castle (sacked by Bruce). Return via the beautiful gardens of Galloway House. A local historian will add a new dimension to this walk.

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 Larg Hill

 Distance: 11km (7 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 290m

Ref 3-4

Route Summary
Explore some of the uncharted paths and tracks in the mixed woodlands of Kirroughtree Forest.

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 Old Blackcraig

 Distance: 5km (3.5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 230m

Ref 3-5

Route Summary
A circular walk throught the Forest Wood incorporating the old village of Blackcraig.

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 Knockeans Hill and Balloch Wood, Creetown

 

 Distance: 8km (5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 300m

Ref 3-6

Route Summary
A gentle stroll that gives splendid views of the Cree Estuary and surrounding hills.

 Wildlife Walk - Castramont Wood

 Distance: 10km (6 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 220m

Ref 3-7

Route Summary
The main purpose of this lovely walk is to look at some of Galloway’s diverse wildlife in a mixture of different habitats – woodland, moorland and farmland

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 Toddlers Walk

~

 Distance: 2.5km (1.5 miles)

FREE

 Ascent: N/A

Ref 3-8

Route Summary
Explore the natural treasures of Galloway with the Forestry Wildlife Ranger. Look for red squirrels, pondlife and birds.

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 The Port Road

~

 Distance: 5.5km (3.5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 30m

Ref 3-9

Route Summary
Follow part of the old railway that led to Portpatrick (now a cycle track). The open elevated position gives excellent views of the Cree, Wigtown and towards Newton Stewart.

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:: Sunday Evening -
Walking Festival Film Evening at Newton Stewart Cinema

7-30pm - Arthur's Dyke (15)
A funny poignant story of the mishaps and misadventures of three middle aged men who set out to walk the route of Offa's Dyke in the Welsh Marches 20 years after they first walked the route. Starring Pauline Quirk and Dennis Waterman.

Adult £5 Concessions £4.00 - payable at the door on the evening.

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Monday 14th May

 SUW - Castle Kennedy to Portpatrick

 Distance: 18km (11.5 miles)

£8.00

 Ascent: 250m

Ref 4-1

Route Summary
The final section going westerly gives a wonderful panorama of the Clyde Estuary and the Irish coastline as you walk the final few miles. Enjoy a refreshment in this delightful village

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 The Cradle of Scotland's Indpendence

 Distance: 12km (7.5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 600m

Ref 4-2

Route Summary
Starting from Bruce’s Stone overlooking the site of his victory over Edward 1’s army this circular walk takes in some rough walking to Craiglee descending to the Southern Upland Way and back to Loch Trool.

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Tuesday 15th May

 Southern Upland Way - Craigenbay to Bargrennan

 Distance: 22km (14 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 260m

Ref 5-1

Route Summary
This section goes through the heart of The Galloway Hills providing unforgettable views from start to finish. This walk could be foreshortened to end at the Visitor Centre at Stroan Bridge reducing it to 16km (10 miles).

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 Cairnsmore from the Red Deer Range

 Distance: 15 km (9.5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 767m

Ref 5-2

Route Summary
A tough high level walk across Craignarget and Cairnsmore of Fleet with some fine mountain views.

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Wednesday 16th May

 Rhinns of Kells

+

 Distance: 21km (13 miles)

£8.00

 Ascent: 1100m

Ref 6-1

Route Summary
A long challenging, classic high-level ridge walk, one of the best in Southern Scotland, with superb views.

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 Cairnsmore of Dee

 Distance: 10 km (6 Miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 500m

Ref 6-2

Route Summary
A circular walk along the Raider’ Road up Cairnsmore of Dee to Benniguinea and finishing at Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre.

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Thursday 17th May

 Cambret and Cairnharrow

 Distance: 8km (5 miles)

£5.00

 Ascent: 440m

Ref 7-1

Route Summary
To finish Walkfest ’07 a pleasant, short walk is offered through an area of historical interest offering excellent views of the Isle of Man and the Lake District.

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Walk Gradings

+

 Very strenuous - a mountain adventure

 

 Strenuous - open hillside with some steep sections

 

 Moderate - a combination of paths and open hillside

 

 Easy/Moderate - generally paths and forest tracks

~

 All inclusive - suitable for all, wheelchairs and buggies

 

 

Bruce's Stone - Glentrool

[Gradings Explained]

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