Walks in Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland
Looking for a great base for a walking holiday?
Check out our 3 family and dog friendly self catering holiday cottages: The Lodge, The Mews or Woodsedge.
With a choice of woodland, coastal or hill walks you will be spoilt for choice
Kirkennan is a great place for walking holidays. I quite often come across online documents of walks in Dumfries and Galloway that I realise might be of use to our guests. I have now started to put them together on this page. This is a work in progress so please do let me know of any I have missed. You can find information on our favourite walks close to Kirkennan at the bottom of our Outdoor Pursuits page.
A set of leaflets produced by Dumfries and Galloway Council
Each gives information and maps for 6 or 7 walks. They are listed in approximate order of distance from Kirkennan (this is not exact as each leaflet covers quite a large area)
Walking in and around Castle Douglas - range from 1.75 - 12.5 km
- Walk 6 Bennan Viewpoint: Car park turning not marked from road but is on left just as road bends and then meets Loch Ken again. Walk details do not mention that the route to the left is now signposted for Secret Cages which can be a bit offputting, but the route is easy to follow. We did the walk in the opposite direction to the instructions following signs to Bennan Viewpoint from the carpark. After the viewpoint you need to re-trace your route for a short distance to the sign for the Secret Cages, then follow route markers after that. Suitable for dogs off lead. Not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters as has steps. Good route for children as has things to read, see and find. Photos can be found here. [Feb 2017]
Walking in and around Dalbeattie and Colvend - from 2 -19 km
- Our blog on the walk from Sandyhills to Kippford combines walks 6 and 4 from this leaflet.
Walking in and around Kirkudbright and Auchencairn - 2.5 - 14 km
- Walk 2 Dee Walk and Tongland: Lovely walk along the river from Kirkcudbright town centre. Largely level. The first stretch of it is suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters, but you would have to turn round before reaching the bridge. Some of it suitable for dogs off lead, but some passes through fields that had cattle in when we went and a short section is along the road. Photos can be found here. [June 2017]
- Walk 6: Balcary to Rascarrel - a description and photos can be found in our blog for this walk.
- Walk 7: Red Haven: Our blog on the walk to Torr Point covers some of this route and goes on beyond. NB this is different from walk 4 to Torrs Point.
Walking in and around Dumfries and New Abbey - 1 - 7.5 km
Walking in and around Gatehouse of Fleet - 2.5 - 12.5 km
- Walk 4: A description of Carstramon Wood at bluebell time can be found in our blog.
Walking in and around Galloway Forest Park - 1 - 11.5 km
- Walk 1 Loch Trool Circular: Suitable for dogs off lead. Not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters as track rough in places. Photos can be found here. [Dec 2016]
Walking in and around the Glenkens - 5 - 19 km
Walking in and around Thornhill - 0.5 - 15.5 km
Walking in and around Newton Stewart - 1.5 - 7 km
Walking in and around Annan - 1 - 10 km
Walking in and around the Machars - 1.5 - 8 km
Walking in and around Moffat - 4km - 6km
Walking in and around Stranraer - 3 - 10 km
Other leaflets
12 Walks in Dumfries and Galloway
Walks in the Coastal Forests of Dumfries & Galloway
Websites with links to further walks
Core Paths in Dumfries and Galloway - Council website showing core paths on a map. Some link through to documents describing the walk in more detail.
Walk Highlands Dumfries and Galloway
See also our blogs about some of our favourite walks:
Balcary Cliffs - spectacular sea views
Carstramon woods - wonderful at bluebell time!
Mersehead to Southerness - a wild coastal walk great for birdwatching
Raven's Craig - a viewpoint overlooking the River Urr
Sandyhills to Kippford - a stunning coastal route
Torr Point - a circular coastal walk taking in a secluded sandy beach
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