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WalkFest09 Routes at OS Explore

 

Walks on 9th - 12th May 2011

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There are a total of 9 walks during the week

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Monday 9th May

 Tunskeen to Loch Trool

 Distance: 18km

£ 10

 Ascent: 1050m

Ref 4-1

Route Summary
The name Tunskeen has been mentioned frequently over the years so this year we are providing the opportunity to visit one of the most remote bothies in Galloway and a traverse of part of the Awfu Hand ridge. Even the drive to the start at Loch Riecawr provides one of the most scenic roads in the Galloways. The route follows forest roads and tracks to Tunskeen and a steep, rough climb to the Nick of Carclach gains access to the ridge proper over Kirriereoch and the Merrick before descending the path back to Loch Trool.
Map OS Explorer 318

Transport
Registration 08:15
Bus leaves Dashwood Square 08:45 (Journey 60 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 18:00

Walk Leader
Ken McCubbin and Mike Kneeshaw (Galloway MRT)

Walker Age
Walker name


Monday 9th May

 The Woods of Bargaly Glen

 Distance: 12km

£ 8

 Ascent: 350m

Ref 4-2

Route Summary
This is a delightful woodland circuit on either side of the Palnure Burn starting at Cairnsmore car park using existing paths and tracks that meander along the lower slopes of Ardwell and Blairbuies' Hills into Bargaly Glen past Craignine and through Kirroughtree Forest to finish at the Forestry Commission's visitor centre. A forestry expert will lead this walk.
Map OS Explorer 319

Transport
Registration 10:30
Bus leaves Dashwood Square 11:00 (Journey 15 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 16:30

Walk Leader
Richard Kay

Walker Age
Walker name


Tuesday 10th May

 Corserine Horseshoe

 Distance: 16km

£ 10

 Ascent: 1050m

Ref 5-1

Route Summary
We are proud to have Corbetts in Galloway and each Walkfest tries to include most of them and Corserine is the main summit in this walk. Starting from Forrest Lodge, height is gently gained to the forest edge and a steep climb towards Polmaddy Gairy leads to the summit plateau of Corserine. The second main top, Meikle Millyea, is 4km southerly followed by a steep descent to the finish at Clenrie.
Map OS Explorer 318

Transport
Registration 08:15
Bus leaves Dashwood Square 08:45 (Journey 60 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 17:30

Walk Leader
Bob Peace and Ken McCubbin (Galloway MRT)

Walker Age
Walker name


Tuesday 10th May

 The Glenkens Polmaddy to Kenbridge

 

 Distance: 18km

£ 10

 Ascent: 400m

Ref 5-2

Route Summary
This is another first for Walkfest, walking the length of the Glenkens. This walk, which is mostly on way-marked paths, offers a full day in the lovely district of Glenkens, renowned for its Covenanters, wildlife and one of Scotland's earliest hydroelectric schemes. The route, which starts at Polmaddy, follows the Black Water Burn to join the Southern Upland Way at Butterhole Bridge. After crossing open moorland and pasture fields providing views across to the Rhinns of Kells, we leave the Southern Upland Way at St John's Town of Dalry and climb to the viewpoint of Mulloch Hill to enjoy the vista of the Ken Valley before descending to the Kenbridge Hotel.
Map OS Explorer 318 and 320

Transport
Registration 08:15

Bus leaves Dashwood Square 08:45 (Journey 45 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 17:30

Walk Leader
Callum Murray

Walker Age
Walker name


Wednesday 11th May

 The Minnigaff Hills a Galloway Gallimaufry

 Distance: 14km

£ 10

 Ascent: 750m

Ref 6-1

Route Summary
This trek over the Minnigaff Hills passess some of the most wonderfully sounding Galloway names but still provides stunning open views, particularly of the Cree Estuary and into Wigtownshire. Starting at Craigencallie, passing Droughandruie Strand, the route gains height to Cairngarroch. Along the top the route passes Nick of Rushes and Buckdas of Cairnbaber to the high point Millfore. It continues northerly to Gairy of Pulnee and the former curling pond of White Lochan of Drigmorn before turning southerly to pass Fuffock and the third top, Drigmorn, with a final descent to Auchinleck.
Map OS Explorer 319

Transport
Registration 08:15
Bus leaves Dashwood Square 08:45 (Journey 30 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 17:15

Walk Leader

Ken McCubbin and Mike Kneeshaw (Galloway MRT)

Walker Age
Walker name


Wednesday 11th May

 Dromore to Muirfad

 

 Distance: 10km

£ 10

 Ascent: 400m

Ref 6-2

Route Summary
A delightful low level walk that contours the lower slopes of Cairnsmore of Fleet starting in the shadows of the Clints of Dromore then going through the nature reserve towards Culcronchie Hill. A short leg picks up a track that runs alongside the Graddoch Burn all the way back to the car park at the entrance to Cairnsmore Estate.
Map OS Explorer 319

Transport (Note - new departure and return times)
Registration 09:30
Bus leaves Dashwood Square 10:00 (Journey 20 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 16:00

Walk Leader
Tim Stephenson

Walker Age
Walker name


Wednesday 11th May

 The Silver Trail (Cairnsmore of Fleet)

 Distance: 17km

£ 10

 Ascent: 800m

Ref 6-3

Route Summary
By request we are offering an evening walk and the linear route from the Red Deer Range over Cairnsmore of Fleet to the new car park fits the slot. From the start at Brocklock Bridge, the forest road allows access to Millfore and continues past the Coo Lochans, over Meikle Mulltaggart. A short, steep climb to the top of Cairnsmore gives one of the finest views over the Cree Estuary and beyond. The descent is on the path that goes to the car park at the entrance to the Estate.
Map OS Explorer 319

Transport
Registration 15:45
Bus leaves Dashwood Square 16:15 (Journey 15 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 21:30

Walk Leader
TBC (Galloway MRT)

Walker Age
Walker name


Thursday 12th May

 Tiu Meurach (The Merrick)

 Distance: 17.5km

£ 10

 Ascent: 1000m

Ref 7-1

Route Summary
Traditionally we finish Walkfest on the top of Galloway, the Merrick and this route starts with a new approach from Kirriereoch car park. Forest roads are taken to the lonely homestead of Kirriemore, follow the Kirkennan Burn, past the Braes of Mullachgeny and one of the fingers of the Awfu Hand leads to the top of the Merrick. The descent is by Redstone Rig to the Grey Man, along the Buchan Ridge, down the Black Gairy to the track leading to Bruce's Stone.
Map OS Explorer 318

Transport
Registration 08:15
Bus leaves Dashwood Square 08:45 (Journey 40 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 17:15

Walk Leader
Ken McCubbin and Mike Kneeshaw (Galloway MRT)

Walker Age
Walker name


Thursday 12th May

 The Rock Walk

 

 Distance: 14km

£ 10

 Ascent: 450m

Ref 7-2

Route Summary
Stones have played a big part in the life of people of Kirkmabreck Parish-quarrymen, farmers, prehistoric communities and artists. This walk tells this story through geology, history and architecture. The whole route, which has a shore section followed by a traverse of fields and moorland , linked by a short steep climb, provides striking views across Wigtown Bay to the Machars. Starting at the Barr Quarry at Carsluith, the route follows the pebble and shingle foreshore to Kirkdale before climbing to Cairnholy chambered cairn. It then heads north across farmland and moor to Creetown, via the Nick of the Doon, the Standing Stone of Bagbie and the Fell Quarry.
Map OS Explorer 311

Transport
Registration 09:45
Bus leaves Dashwood Square 10:15 (Journey 15 mins)
Return to Dashwood Square 16:15

Walk Leader
Joan Mitchell

Walker Age
Walker name
 

Walk Gradings

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.

 

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.

+

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.

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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