Walk 1.9 - THE AWFUL HAND RANGE
Distance - 17.5km (11 miles) Walking Time 8.5 hours
Ascent - 1072 metres (3518ft)
Difficulty Level - Strenuous
Start - Multi Start Point (Saturday) NX415 804
Depart - 0830hrs
Return - 1700hrs

Our Awful Hand Range walk is a linear route offering the walker a unique opportunity to walk the ridge of some of the highest hills in the Galloways. Starting from the Multi Start Point (NX 415 803) the walking party will travel by bus to Stinchar Bridge to commence the southerly traverse along the ridge.

From Stinchar Bridge we commence this route following a waymarked trail to the summit of Cornish Hill (467m). From here we commence our ascent of the first of the main hills on this route via Caerloch Dhu to Shalloch on Minnoch (762m). From here we continue due south via the Maidens Bed and Nick of Carlach to Tarfessock (697m). Views from here over romantic locations such as Castle on Oyne and Macatterick provide some fine backdrops along the way.

From Tarfessock we continue via Balminnoch to Kirrireoch (786m) before we descend to tackle Little Spear and the Merrick. The summit of the Merrick at 843 metres, is the highest peak in Southern Scotland and one of the most popular walking challenges in the Galloway Hills. On a clear day views as far as the Lake District, Ben Lomond and the Inner Hebrides can be enjoyed over a bite of lunch and a well earned rest. We now tackle the descent and the easy part of our day.

Our chosen descent for this walk is via the so called tourist path via the Neive of the Spit, Benyellary and Culsharg. The way down provides for some spectacular views over Loch Trool and the Minnigaff Hills of Larg, Lamachan and Mulldonoch. Mulldonoch gained it's place in the national history books by becoming the launch pad for an ambush of the English troops by Robert the Bruce and his men in the Battle of Glentrool in 1307.

Interestingly, due to the terrain we cover during this walk, the descent is 1295m (4248ft). Some of these descents are fairly steep, but not outwith the capabilities of a regular hillwalker.

We hope this new challenge in the weekend's itinerary will prove popular.

Book early as spaces on this walk will be limited to 20