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Walk 1.2 - THE DUNGEONS AND THE MIGHTY
MERRICK
Distance - 23km (14 miles) Walking Time
8.5 hours
Ascent - 1681 metres (5514ft)
Difficulty Level - Very Strenuous
Start - Multi Start Point (Saturday) NX415
804
Depart - 0900hrs
Return - 1730hrs
The WalkFest '05 Galloway Hills Challenge................
This walk is a real challenge for the
hillwalking enthusiast. Are you up for
it? The route traverses some very popular
terrain including The Rig of the Jarkness,
Craiglee, Craignaw, Dungeon Hill, Mullwharchar
The Merrick, Benyellary, Bennan and the
Fell of Eschoncan. This will be a great
day in the hills and one designed for
regular fit walkers.
Starting out along the Rig of the Jarkness
to summit Craiglee (531m) walkers will
share some of the history associated with
Scotland's Independence including the
Battle of Glentrool in 1307. The descent
from Craiglee, followed by a steep ascent
up Little Snibe, will take us into the
heart of the Dungeon Hills, before continuing
northwards to Craignaw (645m). Views over
the Silver Flow towards the Kells Ridge
to the east ensure the constantly changing
horizon holds your interest.
The descent from Craignaw greets the
walker with a visit to 'The De'ils Bowling
Green' before the steady ascent to the
impressive Dungeon Hill (610m). The steep
sides of Dungeon Hill confirm it as a
true mountain with steep precipitous cliffs
on all but one of its slopes. The views
back towards Craignaw and Craiglee are
truly fabulous.
Heading north westwards the passage from
Dungeon Hill to Mullwharchar (692m) via
Pulskaig Burn, an impressive granite footpath
in dry weather, takes the walk to it's
northerly extreme of the day. We now start
making our way via the northerly shores
of Loch Enoch to start our climb of the
Merrick. Ascending via the Redstone Rig,
a steady but not too taxing climb of 300
metres. We are now on the summit of the
highest peak in Southern Scotland.
The route we follow from the summit initially
follows the so called tourist path before
heading off to take in the Bennan (562m).
Our gentle descent via the Fell of Eschoncan
(347m) returns us to the Multi Start Point
at Bruce's Stone Car Park.
This is a real challenge which rarely
follows any marked footpaths. Walkers
must be prepared and suitably equipped
for a long day in the hills with some
testing ascents and descents. This a true
walkers walk!
Book early as spaces on this walk will
be limited to 30.
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