Links of Interest: www.southernuplandway.com www.dumgal.co.uk

Throughout the year we have the pleasure in welcoming walkers to this unique area to enjoy our stunning countryside, remote walks and our more gentle lowland and valley walks.

Below you will find a selection of our walks. We can organise group visits, walk guides and arrange for refreshments, meals and accommodation should you require it.

This area is one of Dumfries and Galloway’s jewels. It is a picturesque, remote area in the Southern Uplands of South West Scotland. Our hills are high! Up to 725metres and well rounded, with the odd outcrop of pure rock. The area offers magnificent views of the Nith Valley and beyond. The River Nith is scenic and takes centre stage in Upper Nithsdale which is home to the three principal communities of Kirkconnel, Sanquhar and Wanlockhead. These vibrant communities each have there own distinct identity and boast a rich heritage.

The walk grades are colour coded this year to assist you in choosing walks that will suit needs of you and your party.

Easy
Moderate
Strenuous
Extremely Strenuous

Walk 1: Old Kirkland, Kirkconnel. (9 miles/14.5km linear).

Theme: Covenanter’s history/scenery. The walk visits St. Canal’s Kirk (ruin) and St. Canal’s Cross with magnificent views of Nithsdale.. Highly recommended

Walk 2: Spango Bridge to Kirkconnel. (12 miles/19km linear).

Theme: Covenanters and scenery. Starts from Spango Bridge, and continues through rough moorland to Blackgannoch, pausing at the Covenanter’s Memorial Wall. Continue on and descend to St. Conal’s Kirk via Glenaylmer Burn, and thereafter to Kirkconnel.

Walk 3: Heads of the Valley. (18 miles/ 28.8km).

Theme: Industrial, local history and scenery. Follow mavis bank walk to main road and then follow forest road, then take road to Sanquhar, Turn back towards Kirkconnel just before Sanquhar, enter village and take Kirkconnel Riverside walk to main Street, return to Kirkconnel Heritage Society. Highly recommended

Walk 4: Lowther Tops. (8 miles/13km circular).

Theme: Industrial history and scenery. Starting at Wanlockhead, (Scotland’s Highest Village) the route follows the Southern Upland Way to the top of Lowther Hill where on a good day you can see the Paps of Jura! From there a track is followed to the top of Green Lowther before descending to Leadhills via Shortcleuch Reservoir. The route then makes a gradual ascent of Wanlock Dod before descending to Wanlockhead.

Walk 5: Wanlockhead to Sanquhar via Cogshead. (8 miles/12.8km linear).

Theme: Upland scenery. Depart from Wanlockhead and follow the Southern Upland Way to Sanquhar via Glengaber Hill and the ruins of Cogshead Farm and a gentle descent into Sanquhar.

Walk 6: Mavis Bank, Kirkconnel. (2,25 miles/3.6km circular)

Theme: A leisurely walk combining historic landmarks and local scenery. Call in to Kirkconnel Parish Heritage Society headquarters to learn more about Kirkconnel and its rich heritage.
Highly recommended

Walk 7: Glenwhargen to Sanquhar. (7 miles/11km linear).

Theme: A fine hill walk which is initially steep, but once on the higher ground, very fine views of Nithsdale are available. Descend into Nithsdale via the historic Milk Can Gate.

Walk 8: Sanquhar to Sanquhar via Mennock, Auchentaggart, Bogg and Southern Upland Way. (9 miles/14.5km circular).

Theme: Valley and upland scenery. A quiet road and track walk, which gives good moorland views and the opportunity to see some interesting historical sites. Return to Sanquhar Tolbooth. (Moderate).

Walk 9: Sanquhar to Sanquhar via Milk Can Gate, Welltrees and Southern Upland Way. (10 miles/16km circular).

Theme: Upland scenery. Leaves Sanquhar and head for South Mains, climbing steeply to Milk Can Gate and to the trig point 1551 at Whing Head. The route then follows the Southern Upland Way to Ulzieside and returns to Sanquhar. Highly recommended

Walk 10: Sanquhar to Wanlockhead via Coffin Road, returning via Southern Upland Way and Cogshead. (16 miles/26 km circular).

Theme: Leave Sanquhar via the Southern Upland Way, branching off to ascend the steep and narrow Glendyne Burn, formerly the source of Sanquhar’s water supply. A steep climb into Wanlockhead, and a rest before returning via Cogshead and the Southern Upland Way. Good moorland and hill walking.

Walk 12: Riverside Walk . (4 miles/ 6.4km)

Theme: Leave the Tolbooth and continue North on the wide pavement of the main A76 until Crawick Bridge. At the traffic lights turn left via the swing gate and follow the track downstream until the junction with the River Nith. Dippers, Goosander, and even the elusive Kingfisher can be seen on this section. At the junction, continue on the path, skirting the river and past Blackaddie House Hotel. At the tarred road, turn right and continue until Nith Bridge where the Southern Upland Way is picked up. Turn left at the bridge and follow the path beside the river, ascend the steps and proceed along the Braeheads. Descend at the sandstone feature, which depicts Sanquhar’s connections with the wide world, and continue along the riverside for a further two miles before reaching the cliffs at Kings Scaur. Turn left up the farm track, which leads past Sanquhar Castle and returns the walker to Sanquhar Main Street. The Tolbooth lies about ¾ mile further. Highly recommended

Walk 13: Sanquhar Historic Walk. (2 miles/5km circular)

Theme: A gentle walk through the Historic Town of Sanquhar, including Sanquhar Castle, returning via the Braeheads to the Tollbooth. There is a separate brochure available from the Tollbooth Museum and Events Office. This walk is suitable and will be of interest to the whole family. (Easy)

Walk 14: Sanquhar to Sanquhar via Euchan Water and Kello Water. (18 miles/29km circular).

Theme: Road and forest tracks. Isolated valley walks with some gradients, and the option to stop off at Kirkconnel or return to Sanquhar. NB Similar to Walk 3. Highly recommended

Walk 15: Covenanters Walk, Wanlockhead to Kirkland. (16 miles/25.6km linear)

Theme: History and scenery. From the Lead Mining Museum, take the road for Meadowfoot , pass the cemetery, and the lead workings, before crossing Wanlock Water and climbing up towards the house at Duntercleuch, continue on track leading to Clackleith and desend towards Wanlock Water and Crawick Water. Pick up sign post for Kirkconnel.
Note: this route deviates from the original right of way which follows close to the banks of Wanlock Water throughout. The original path can still be seen, but it is suggested that the easier modern track (detailed above) is followed. Packed Lunch, appropriate clothing and water required.

Walk 16: Euchan Glen (7 miles/11.2km linear)

Theme: Scenery. Leave Tolbooth via Queens Road and proceed to Nith Bridge. Turn left over the bridge, and follow Southern Upland Way through Ulzieside and up hill until the Whing Bridge. Shortly after leaving the bridge, bear right, around the contour line adjacent to the Plantation, which will bring you to Drumbringan Bridge over the Euchan. At this point take the track, which leads uphill on the left bank of the Euchan for a further 2 miles reaching another bridge below Glenmaddie Farmhouse. Cross over and climb uphill until the tarred road. Turn right and follow the road downhill to Sanquhar. Going is fairly easy, with good tracks a part from short section from Ulzieside to Euchan. Good boots required. Highly recommended

Walk 17: Craig Darroch (9 miles/ 14.4km linear)
Theme: Scenery. Start at Events Office 10.00 Finish 15.00appox. Bus to Craig Darroch. Follow track to Twnty Shilling then on to Farding Mulloch. Open moorland to Dunduff, past earth works and onto merkland.

Walk 18: Wanlockhead Village Heritage Walk (2 miles/ 3.5 km circular)

Theme: Industrial heritage. A exploration of some of the more accessible industrial archaeology around Wanlockhead. Suitable for all the family. Explanatory leaflet available from Museum of Lead Mining. 01659 74387.

Self led walks are available at any time. For more information, directions or brochures about local points of historical interest please contact:
Upper Nithsdale Events, 01659 50191
Kirkconnel Parish Heritage Society, 01659 66002
Museum of Lead Mining, Wanlockhead, 01659 74387

Information on local accommodation can be obtained from Upper Nithsdale Events Office or on this site. We have a comprehensive accommodation guide which includes all types of accommodation available in the area. We will happily arrange this for you. Just contact us.
More accommodation can be found by clicking onto www.visit-dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk

When you are out walking, please observe the Countryside Code and respect the life and work of the countryside.