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Walk 3-1 Craignaw and Merrick
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Route Summary
Starting at Bruce’s Stone
the Gairland Burn path
leads to Loch Valley and
the route to Craignaw
goes past the memorial
to the F1-11 aircraft
accident. Going north
to Dungeon Hill the route
then reaches the most
distant top Mullwarchar.
From here there is a steep
descent to Loch Twachtan
and an equally steep ascent
to the col below the Merrick.
The final major ascent
is up the Little Spear
to the summit of the Merrick
with its stunning panoramic
views. The descent to
Bruce’s Stone is by the
tourist path past Benyellary
and Culsharg. This is
a major undertaking and
should only be considered
by fit, regular hill walkers.
Distance: 21km (13 miles)
Ascent: 1600 metres
Difficulty: Very strenuous
Registration from 6.45am
Depart at 7.15am
Return by 6.00pm
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Walk 3-2 Cairnsmore of Fleet’s
Aircraft Accidents
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Route Summary
This walk not only includes
visiting several aircraft
accident sites but the
ascent to Cairnsmore is
by a new route. The start
is from Dromore visitor
centre following forest
roads first north then
east emerging from the
forest heading to Mid
Burn which is followed
to two accident sites.
The climb to the summit
of Cairnsmore is by Spout
of the Clints where one
of the finest views in
Galloway is experienced.
From Cairnsmore the route
is over Meikle Mulltaggart
and past the Coo Lochans
to Craignelder, skirt
Big Gairy and a steep
descent to Talnoltry.
Distance: 15km (9 miles)
Ascent: 900 metres
Difficulty: Strenuous
Registration from 7.15am
Depart at 7.45am
Return by 4.30pm
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Walk 3-3 Wood of Cree to Caldons
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Route Summary
 Starting
at Wood of Cree RSPB car
park the woodland paths
are followed, with a wildlife
guide to enhance the experiences
this oak forest offers
in springtime. The route
continues through spruce
forest past Loch Middle
emerging on the slopes
leading to Larg Hill.
The views westerly are
quite unique from this
location. Lamachan Hill
is the next top followed
by Mulldonoch with a steep
descent to the site of
the Battle of Glentrool
where the path leads along
the south side of Loch
Trool to the pick up at
Caldons.
Distance: 16km (10 miles)
Ascent: 1000 metres
Difficulty: Strenuous
Registration from 8.00am
Depart at 8.30am.
Return by 5.30pm
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Walk 3-4 Crammery Hill
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Route Summary
A brand new route
that provides stunning
views of the Cree Estuary
giving a flavour of the
wild aspect of Galloway
without too much effort.
Starting in Creetown a
good road leads to Clanery
and Clanery Hill before
crossing the Graddoch
Burn. Forest rides and
roads open to the slopes
of Crammery Hill, a rarely
visited top, and Cairnsmore
Burn is followed downhill
to another forest road
that leads to the path
that returns to the finish
at Muirfad.
Distance: 14km (9 miles)
Ascent: 500 metres
Difficulty: Moderate plus
Registration from 9.00am
Depart at 9.30am.
Return by 4.00pm
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Walk
3-5 Return to the Almorness
Coast
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Route Summary
This walk was the most
requested one to be included
in the 10th anniversary
programme. The route explores
Almorness peninsula in
an anti-clockwise direction,
following a series of
roads and paths, through
varied landscapes with
enchanting sea views evoking
the smuggling history
of the Solway. The highest
point Moyl, provides a
stunning panorama including
Hestan Island and the
Lakeland Fells while the
woodlands and fields are
home to an abundance of
wildlife. The finish is
at the quaint village
of Palnackie. Alternative
pick up point at Castle
Douglas – call 01671 404500
for details.
Distance: 13km (8 miles)
Ascent: 350 metres
Difficulty: Moderate
Registration from 9.00am
Depart at 9.30am
Return by 5.00pm
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Walk
3-6 The Solway Riviera: Sandyhills
to Kippford
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Route Summary
This part of the beautiful
Solway coast can only
be fully appreciated on
foot. The entire route
is never far from the
sea and the views are
constantly changing. Starting
at Sandyhills, the route
passes through the delightful
hamlet of Portling and
then onto Port O’ Warren
and the monument at Gutcher’s
Isle. Castlehill Point
provides one of the best
views before proceeding
to Rockcliffe and then
the Jubilee path leads
to Kippford. Alternative
pick up point at Castle
Douglas – call 01671 404500
for details.
Distance: 10km (6 miles)
Ascent: 350 metres
Difficulty: Moderate
Registration from 9.00am
Depart at 9.30am
Return by 5.00pm
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Walk 3-7 The geology and
mining story of Palnure Burn
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Route Summary
 This
route will explore the
mining heritage of the
area with our geology
expert. Starting at the
Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall,
the only climb of the
day is to Murray’s Monument,
before dropping down to
Talnoltry then following
the Palnure Burn and Bargaly
Glen to Kirroughtree.
We then spend some time
exploring the old lead
mining sites around Blackcraig.
Distance: 12km (8 miles)
Ascent: 150 metres
Difficulty: Moderate
Registration from 9.45am
Depart at 10.15am.
Return by 4.00pm
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Walk
3-8 Photographing the Galloway
Coast
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Route Summary
For his fifth year with
the festival, landscape
photographer Keith Ratcliffe
takes us to the coast
for a photographic walk.
Starting at Garlieston
with its military history,
the walk at the edge of
the sea on paths, beaches
and cliff tops will take
us to the ruin of Cruggleton
Castle. Along the route
we will visit several
scenic locations and there
should also be a good
display of spring flowers
for our photographic enjoyment.
Distance: 8km (5 miles)
Ascent: 100 metres
Difficulty: Moderate
Registration from 9.45am
Depart at 10.15am
Return by 5.00pm
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Walk Gradings
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Very strenuous
- A true mountain adventure, often
with difficult walking underfoot
in Galloway's wildest locations.
Distances are usually at least 16km
(10 miles) and there is usually
around 1000m of ascent.
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Strenuous -
Open hillside with some steep sections.
Distances typically 10km (7 miles)
to 15km (9 miles) with between 500
and 850m of ascent. Suitable only
for those with a good level of fitness.
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Moderate +
- Generally on lower land across
farm land, through forests or on
the coast, usually on paths, but
with some difficult sections. Distances
of around 10km (7 miles) with typically
around 300m of ascent.
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Moderate -
Generally on lower land across farm
land, through forests or on the
coast, usually on paths. Distances
are generally 7km (4 miles) to 10km
(7 miles) with only minimal levels
of ascent but may include some exposed
sections. A number of these walks
are led by historical or wildlife
experts and hence are taken at a
slower pace to allow for items of
interest along the route to be discussed.
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