|
|
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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
|
|