There are a number of factors which influence how difficult a walk is, including underfoot conditions, distance and ascent.
The walk gradings we use are only a guide. You should bear in mind that unlike some more congested hill walking areas, most of the walking routes in Galloway do not follow well defined footpaths. For both your enjoyment and the enjoyment of others, please choose walks which fit with your level of fitness and capability. Should you have any queries after having read the descriptions, please call us to discuss.
The five walk categories we use during the festival have the following typical characteristics:
Very strenuous - A true mountain adventure, often with difficult walking underfoot in Galloway's wildest locations. Distances are typically 20km (12 miles) or more and with an ascent of typically over 1,000 metres (but sometimes much more). Suitable only for those with a high level of fitness and hillwalking experience.
Strenuous - Open hillside with some steep sections. Distances typically 15km (9 miles) to 20km (12 miles) with between 500m and 1000m of ascent. Suitable only for those with a good level of fitness.
Moderate plus - Generally on lower land across farmland, through forests or on the coast, usually on paths, but with some difficult sections. Distances vary, but are typically around 15km (9 miles) with several hundred metres of ascent.
Moderate - Generally on lower land across farmland, through forests or on the coast, usually on paths. Distances are around 10km (6 miles) to 14km (9 miles) with a few hundred metres of ascent. A number of these walks are led by experts with a particular interest and hence are taken at a slower pace to allow for discussion along the route.
Easy - Generally level walks on paths or paved surfaces with distances typically of up to 10km (6 miles).
Walk 2-6 - Balloch Wood: Creetown Delights
This route explores the village of Creetown and the nearby Balloch Woods, with plenty of points of interest along the way.
Walk 4-4 - Glentrool Kindness Path
This wheelchair friendly route explores the delightful Glentrool Kindness Path and is run in conjunction with Dumfries & Galloway Disability Sport.
Walk 4-3 - Innerwell to Garlieston: Round the Bend to Garlieston
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This lovely, mainly flat, coastal route follows the western shore of Wigtown Bay from the former fishery at Innerwell to the attractive harbour village of Garlieston.
Walk 6-4 - Supper walk: New Luce (Easy)
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This is the easier of the afternoon walks which finish at New Luce where an evening meal will be enjoyed at the Kenmuir Arms in New Luce
Walk 1-3 - Shenanton to Kirkcowan
This low-level walk features the varied landscape around the pretty village of Kirkcowan
Walk 2-4 - SUW Day 2: Castle Kennedy to New Luce
The second day of the Southern Upland Way celebration begins at Castle Kennedy Gardens and proceeds through the woods of the Earl of Stair’s estate before heading onto the moors.
Walk 2-5 - Raiding the Dornells
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This lovely new route is along the tracks and lanes of an old shooting estate
Walk 3-4 - Monreith and Barhullion
A lovely walk in the western Machars, with views over Luce Bay and plenty of historical interest
Walk 3-6 - Barclye to Minnigaff: A Peep at the Past
This route north of Newton Stewart takes in an areas rich in archaeology. We will be accompanied by our local and very knowledgeable archaeologist.
Walk 3-7 - The Romany Bridge
This is a delightful low level walk which follows the Southern Upland Way from Bargrennan to Stroan Bridge, via a rather distinctive bridge. There should be bird song to enjoy along the entire route and with the Waters of Minnoch never far away.
Walk 5-3 - Glasserton to Isle of Whithorn: From Church to Chapel
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This route, from the church at Glasserton to the chapel at Isle of Whithorn takes advantage of new footpaths which have been installed at part of the Whithorn Way.
Walk 6-3 - Supper Walk: New Luce (Moderate)
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This is the more difficult of the afternoon walks which finish at New Luce where an evening meal will be enjoyed at the Kenmuir Arms
Walk 7-2 - St Helena's Isle
SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This gentle walk explores the lower reaches of the Glen of Luce, taking in woodland, historical interest and the vast sands of Luce Bay
Walk 1-2 - Southern Upland Way: Day 1 - Portpatrick to Castle Kennedy
Day one of our Southern Upland Way celebration starts at the popular seaside town of Portpatrick, once the ferry port for Ireland and its shortest crossing. The walk combines rugged cliffs with rolling countryside.
Walk 2-3 - The Eye of the Black Loch
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This route uses the network of forest tracks deep in the Galloway Forest Park and gives great views over Clatteringshaws
Walk 3-3 - Southern Upland Way Day 3: New Luce to Knowe
The third day of the Southern Upland Way celebration heads into the moors to explore an area where human habitation is sparse.
Walk 3-5 - Almorness: The Smugglers' Coast
This popular walk on the Solway is a real coastal gem and will be accompanied by a ranger from the Solway Firth Partnership.
Walk 4-2 - Southern Upland Way: Day 4 - Knowe to Glentrool
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** The fourth and final stage of our Southern Upland Way journey covers the stretch from Knowe Village to Glentrool.
Walk 5-2 - Skyreburn: Round the Head of the Glen
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This walk largely follows the watershed of the Skyreburn and provides some great views from an area off the beaten track
Walk 6-1 - The Lost Road
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This walk follows the route of a former track across lonely moors and linking isolated farmsteads, some active and others derelict.
Walk 6-2 - Wild Swimming: Loch Trool
Back by popular demand, we are once again delighted to be working with “Swim the Lochs” to provide an excellent outdoor experience starting with a picturesque walk around Loch Trool in the heart of the Galloway Forest and then a wild swim in Loch Trool
Walk 7-3 - Knockdollian: The False Craig
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** Knockdolian, the False Craig, towers over the Firth of Clyde behind Ballantrae and is the objective of this new route for Walkfest.
Walk 2-2 - Merrick Mullwarcher Merry Go Round
This great circular walk in the Galloway Hills takes in the highest summit in the south of Scotland, Merrick, and also provides some fine ridge walking.
Walk 3-2 - Curleywee: Galloway Grandeur
This route explores the northern Minnigaff Hills and includes two Donalds – Lamachan and Curleywee. Recent forest harvesting has significantly altered this area, opening up views not previously seen.
Walk 4-1 - Cairnsmore of Fleet via Millburn Path
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** Join us for a hike into one of south west Scotland’s wildest landscapes on Cairnsmore of Fleet. This huge wild space is not only a National Nature Reserve, it’s also a SSSI and core zone of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere
Walk 5-1 - Rig of the Jarkness
This interesting new route covers a variety of terrain in some of the wildest parts of Galloway.
Walk 7-1 - The Larg Hill
This route has three distinct sections for a great day out and offers wonderful views of the Cree Estuary and the Machars from its highest point.
Walk 6-5 - Sunset on Cairnsmore of Fleet
Something new this year – and evening walk up the iconic Cairnsmore of Fleet to watch the sun set
Walk 1-1 - Ring of Fire: Day 1 - The Minnigaff Hills
Day 1 of our Ring of Fire Challenge visits the Minnigaff Hills.
Walk 2-1 - Ring of Fire: Day 2 - Rhinns of Kells
Day 2 of the Ring of Fire challenge explores the Rhinns of Kells
Walk 3-1 - Ring of Fire: Day 3 The Awful Hand
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** Day 3 of the Ring of Fire challenge is a challenging route which uses the Awful Hand range to capture no fewer than two Corbetts and five Donalds in a day which will last long in the memory.
