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 2-5 - Castle Kennedy Estate
** SORRY -THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This route explores the estate landscape of Lochinch, with a mix of lochs and flowers.
Walk 2-6 - Galloway House and Garlieston Coast
This easy route explores the coastal landscape around Galloway House and the coastal village of Garlieston, with the option to enjoy lunch in Garlieston
Walk 4-4 - Supper Walk: Bruce's Stone to Glentrool (Easy)
This is a leisurely walk with negligible ascent which starts at Bruce’s Stone and is never far from Loch Trool and the the Water of Trool.
Walk 3-5 - The nature of the Wood of Cree
This short walk on woodland paths will be taken at a gentle pace so we can appreciate all the flaura and fauna of this special woodland, with it’s ancient oaks, tumbling waterfalls and carpets of wild flowers and berries.
Walk 6-4 - Kilsture at night
This short late evening walk showcases biofluorescence - a magical process where living organisms absorb light and re-emit it as a different colour which can only be discovered under UV light.
Walk 7-4 - Discovering Penninghame Pond
This wheelchair friendly route explores the delightful Penninghame Pond and is run in conjunction with Dumfries & Galloway Disability Sport.
Walk 1-3 - Gatehouse by the back door
*FULLY BOOKED*This route into the Fleet Scenic Area offers an unchallenging walk on forest roads and woodland paths. Accompanied by a nature expert from Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere we will gain a greater appreciation of the flaura and fauna we may have otherwise missed along this route.
Walk 2-4 - Discovering the Glenkens: Mossdale to New Galloway
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED** This route explores Loch Stroan, and then the mature conifer forests overlooking Loch Ken, but with some lovely views along the way before finishing in the attractive village of New Galloway.
Walk 3-4 - Kilsture and Bladnoch
This gentle route through the low lying Machars takes in the RSPB Crook of Baldoon Nature Reserve.
Walk 5-4 - Pilgrim's Way: Glasserton to Isle of Whithorn
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This route in the southern Machars combines history and scenery with a blast of sea air!
Walk 4-3 - Supper Walk: Bruce's Stone to Glentrool (Moderate)
This afternoon walk takes in views of Loch Trool from all angles before climbing into the forest.
Walk 5-3 - The 39 Steps, and then some!
** SORRY - TIHS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** Following in footsteps of Richard Hannay in John Buchan’s famous book, The 39 Steps, the walk follows the old Paddy Line (railway line) from Mossdale to the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct.
Walk 6-2 - Larg and Knockeans Hills
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOOKED ** This delightful walk provides a mixture of open hill and woodland with a variety of interesting features on the way, as well as panoramic views across Wigtown Bay, the valley of the River Cree and into the Galloway Hills.
Walk 6-3 - Needle's Eye and the Muckle Lands
**SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This coastal walk follows the Solway coast, an areas steeped in history, beautiful landscapes, and a past winner in UK tree of the year!
Walk 7-2 - Kirk, castle and coast
** SORRY - THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** This walk starts at the old, ruined Kirk at Girthon before heading towards the coast, where there is plenty of historical interest and lovely coastal landscapes.
Walk 7-3 - Gem Rock and Creetown's quarries
Creetown granite has been used around the world, and this geology themed walk, accompanied by a geological expert, explores the role the rocks have shaped the landscape, history, buildings and industry of the area.
Walk 1-2 - Round the North Rhins
A coastal walk starting near Corsewall lighthouse and following the newly improved route around the North Rhins to the old flying boat station near Kirkcolm.
Walk 2-3 - Mt Pisga, Kenlum and the Boreland Hills
This walk explores the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area
Walk 3-3 - The Wheely Brig and the Gemstone
A delightful walk beginning at Kirroughtree Visitor Centre which winds through the woodlands and forests on the outskirts of Newton Stewart.
Walk 4-2 - Wild west coast to Portpatrick
Accompanied by flaura and fauna experts from Solway Firth Partnership, this clifftop walk starts at Cairngarroch and on route to Portpatrick passes promontory forts and the ruins of Dunskey Castle. This a walk that links the past to the present.
Walk 5-2 - Fells, woods and lochs
This route starts on the shores of Loch Ryan and explores the upland area to the loch’s east.
Walk 1-1 - Into the wilderness: Cairnsmore of Fleet
This route explores the wilder side of the majestic Cairnsmore of Fleet, taking in both summits. This huge wild space is not only a National Nature Reserve, but also a SSSI and core zone of the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, making it an area of extremely high conservation value.
Walk 2-2 - Into solitude: Millfore
This route across Millfore explores the Minnigaff Hills – an often-overlooked area when visiting Galloway, which is unfortunate as they offer a different experience where wilderness and solitude are key features.
Walk 3-1 - Baggers Delight: Shalloch on Minnoch
This route in the Galloway Hills gives those who don’t want to tackle the really challenging routes a chance to capture a Corbett.
Walk 3-2 - The southern Stewartry hills
A lovely, strenuous walk in the southern Stewartry, including the summits of Screel and Bengairn, with panoramic views of the Solway coast.
Walk 3-6 - Sunset on Cairnsmore
Enjoy the sunset on Cairnsmore of Fleet
Walk 4-1 - Game on: Mochrum Fell
This route explores an area in the eastern Glenkens and provides an exciting linear route encompassing a variety of different landscapes including open fields, lochside, standing and clear-felled forest and open moorland.
Walk 5-1 - King of the gypsies
This route up Cairnsmore of Fleet includes a visit to a cave below Eastman’s Cairn, named after Billy Marshall, the so called King of the gypsies.
Walk 6-1 - Round the lochs
This route embraces everything that Galloway Forest Park tries to promote in its recreational use.
Walk 7-1 - Into the past: Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
This route explores the highest of the Galloway Cairnsmores, and a Corbett to boot, Cairnsmore of Carsphairn.
Walk 6-5 - Sunset on Cairnsmore of Fleet
** SORRY THIS WALK IS FULLY BOOKED ** A repeat of our highly successful evening walk up the iconic Cairnsmore of Fleet to watch the sun set, with some added nocturnal wildlife interest
Walk 2-1 - Into the fire: Merrick Circuit
This year’s challenge walk will provide spectacular scenery and views over the Galloway countryside and will show the true meaning of walking in the Galloway tussocks, with most of the walking taking place in the craggy granite core of the surrounding Ring of Fire route.
