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 - Galloway House and Garlieston Coast
This easy route explores the coastal landscape around Galloway House and the coastal village of Garlieston
Walk 4-4 - Supper Walk: Glenlee to Dalry (Easy)
This afternoon walk explore the Glenlee and Garroch estates in the Glenkens, before following the River Ken to Dalry and finishing the evening with a wonderful meal at a local hotel.
Walk 3-7 - Discovering Newton Stewart
The perfect opportunity to find out more about the home of WalkFest – Newton Stewart – Gateway to the Galloway Hills
Walk 6-4 - The Riddle of Penninghame Pond
This wheelchair friendly route explores the delightful Penninghame Pond and is run in conjunction with Dumfries & Galloway Disability Sport.
Walk 1-2 - Old Military Road to Gatehouse: In the Footsteps of the Romans
This route, from Cambret Hill to Gatehouse of Fleet, uses a series of country roads and tracks to enjoy a variety of habitats.
Walk 1-3 - The Rocks of Balcary
This coastal route is full of interest and includes one of the most spectacular clifftop sections of the Galloway coast. An accompanying geologist will help us to understand the dramatic rock formations found along the route.
Walk 2-5 - Stewartry Coast Day 1: Gull Craig to Brighouse Bay
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This is the first of two days exploring the southern Stewarty Coast, accompanied by a coastal expert.
Walk 3-3 - Torhousemuir Stone Circle to Bladnoch: Stories from the Past
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED ** Accompanied by the regional archaeologist this walk explores man’s use of this area over thousands of years.
Walk 3-4 - Discovering Glen Trool's Nature
This route explores the natural woodland and landscape around Glentrool, accompanied by a nature expert
Walk 3-6 - Stewartry Coast Day 2: Brighouse Bay to Knockbrex
This is the second of two days exploring the southern Stewarty Coast, accompanied by a nature expert.
Walk 4-3 - Supper Walk: Glenlee to Dalry (Moderate)
This afternoon walk explore the Glenlee and Garroch estates in the Glenkens, and then climbs Waterside Hill before finishing the evening with a wonderful meal at a local hotel.
Walk 5-3 - Penninghame Pond to Challoch Church
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This new route explores the countryside by way or woodland tracks and fields to the north of Newton Stewart.
Walk 6-2 - Five Red Herrings: Clachaneasy to Stroan Bridge
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This walk follows tumbling burns through Galloway Forest Park
Walk 7-3 - Gelston Castle Estate: Glories of the Past
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** The walk explores the history and landscape of the Gelston Castle Estate on the outskirts of the small Stewarty village of Gelston
Walk 2-3 - Woods, Moors and Farms: Chain Bridge to Carsluith
This route explores the varied countryside of the eastern side of Wigtown Bay, with its mixture of woodland, upland hill farms and granite quarries..
Walk 2-4 - Garlick Hill
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED ** This walk skirts the Minnigaff Hills and with limited climbing it enables walkers to appreciate the rugged grandeur that is so much a feature of the Galloways, and with a high point of 445 metres it provides unique views of Larg, Lamachan and Curleywee.
Walk 3-5 - Wild Swimming: Black Loch
We are once again delighted to be working with “Swim the Lochs” to provide an excellent outdoor experience starting with a picturesque walk in the Galloway Forest Park then a wild swim in Black Loch
Walk 4-2 - The Shire Moors: Penwhirn to New Luce
This route explores the remote moors north of New Luce.
Walk 5-1 - Red Kite Extravaganza: Mossdale to Bellymack
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED ** This nature based walk covers a variety of landscapes, with a rather interesting finish!
Walk 5-2 - The Larg Hill
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** 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 6-3 - Discovering Carrick Day 1: Girvan to Colmonell
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This route is the first of two days exploring the Carrick area of South Ayrshire, heading south from Girvan to Colmonell, providing wonderful coastal views
Walk 7-2 - Discovering Carrick Day 2: Colmonell to Barrhill
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED ** This route is the second of two days exploring the Carrick area of South Ayrshire, taking an inland route through the valleys of the Stinchar and Duisk between the villages of Colmonell and Barhill.
Walk 1-1 - The Big Hill: Cairnsmore of Fleet
This route is a great start of WalkFest 2025, taking us over the top of Cairnmore of Fleet, with its 360 degree panoramic views
Walk 2-2 - The Wilderness, the Devil and the Jewel of the Peatlands
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED ** This interesting route covers a wide variety of terrain in some of the wildest parts of Galloway, including the internationally acclaimed Silver Flowe.
Walk 3-2 - The Three Wees
This route takes in three summits in the Minnigaff Hills, including Curleywee
Walk 4-1 - Meikle Millyea
This traverse, mainly on rough open hill, takes in the often missed southern end of the Rhinns of Kells.
Walk 6-1 - Birds, Bogs and Bluebells: Fleet Valley Scenic Area
This walk starts at Knocktinkle and explores the attractive Fleet Valley National Scenic Area as it heads towards Gatehouse of Fleet.
Walk 7-1 - Twa Knuckles
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This high level walk explores two of the knuckles of the Awful Hand range and offers great views of the Galloway Hills.
Walk 6-5 - Sunset on Cairnsmore of Fleet
A repeat of our highly successful evening walk up the iconic Cairnsmore of Fleet to watch the sun set
Walk 2-1 - The Corbetts: Walkfest Challenge
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This route offers the seasoned walker a big day in the hills taking in three Corbetts.
Walk 3-1 - Rhinns of Kells: North to South
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED. PLEASE CONTACT US TO BE ADDED TO THE RESERVE LIST ** This challenging walk along the ridge of the Rhinns of Kells from north to south rarely dips below 2,000 feet and provides great views throughout
