Dumfries and Galloway walks

This hike starts from Sweetheart Abbey remains free car park and brings you to Waterloo Monument. If you are not claustrophobic or have a fear of heights, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view from the top of the tower! There is quite a steep climb to get to the monument. ⚠️The stairs into the tower are really narrow and steep. At the top there is NO SECURITY BARRIER so it is not recommended to bring children with you or if you have a fear of heights!

Dog friendly walk passing by Caerlaverock Nature Reserve and going to Caerlaverock Castle.

This short but steep hike brings you to Waterloo Monument, Waterloo Hill. If you are not claustrophobic or have a fear of heights, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view from the top of the tower! This is moderate as there is a steep climb with rocky and uneven steps. ⚠️The stairs into the tower are really narrow and steep. At the top there is NO SECURITY BARRIER so it is not recommended to bring children with you or if you have a fear of heights!

This is a quick wander to visit Morton Castle. It is a nice family walk to visit the ruins and enjoy views of the countryside.

This short and easy stroll starts from the beautiful Drumlanrig Castle and then brings you into the woodlands and along a stream to get another view of the castle and its garden.

Easy dog friendly walk in the Scottish countryside. This walk is mainly flat and passes in front of some interesting buildings (the old St Mungo's church graveyard and the abandoned Milkbank House).

This walk brings you to Horse Isles Bay. You can also extend to White Port beach which is known as Palnackie's swimming beach. Many beaches on the Solway Firth are secluded and sandy, but this local beach has the advantage of having a reasonable slope meaning that when the tide is in the water gets deep enough to swim quite near to the shore. It is also possible to cycle the whole way on mountain bikes.

A lovely walk along the Solway Coast with seabirds to view, and fossils to find, ending up at a memorial to those leaving Scotland for the New World and a unique pub. ⚠️You need to check the tide before walking this route. However, an alternative is still available.

This is another lovely walk which visits a secluded sandy beach, then an easy amble across fields to a rocky headland with great views, before looping back through woodland. As so often in Dumfries and Galloway, it is possible to have these beautiful places all to yourself. This route is rarely visited.

A walk among the mountains. Climb and descend the peaks of the Cairnsmore of Carsphairn mountain range.

Easy dog friendly circular walk around Loch Trool.

Circular hike along the Annan River from Annan village to Brydekirk village. Dog-friendly.

This circular walk will bring you to visit Minehead. Then, go up to reach Coran of Portmark offering amazing views over Loch Doon Below on a clear day and come back via Black Craig.

A level coastal walk with long vistas, lonely beaches and a choice of lengths starting at RSPB Mersehead... This is a lovely walk at all times of year, but it is particularly interesting in winter when the migrant birds gather in their thousands at Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve.

The loop from Balcary Bay, along the cliffs to Rascarrel beach is a beautiful walk. An exhilarating cliff top walk with far reaching views. There are three route options so you can choose a walk of different lengths. Or, if you don't like heights, you can miss out the cliff section altogether - but then you would miss the section with the best views.

The hike up to the top of the Merrick (843 m / 2765 ft) is a wonderful day out on varied and interesting terrain with lovely views for almost the entire way.

A hike up past the spectacular Gray Mare's Tail waterfall to the remote and tranquil Loch Skeen

The Mull of Galloway is the southernmost point of Scotland. This walk follows the coastline for part of the route before heading inland to cross the peninsula. Today it is a nature reserve managed by the RSPB and you can see a wide variety of birdlife in season.