Knocknearie, Dalcairney Falls and the Ness Glen gorge

Start : Start at the Roundhouse at Loch Doon Dam. Dalmellington, Ayr (KA6 7QE) Grid ref. NS 476 012

(S/E) Start at the roundhouse and walk up the right hand side of the car park, picking up the drystone dyke and follow uphill on the left hand side of it. You will see the first marker post once round the corner.

(1) From the summit of Knocknearie, turn away from the loch and head downhill (North) and continue to follow the markers heading towards the Dark Sky Observatory (DSO).

(2) Pass through the gate and go round the right hand side of Observatory and follow the road down and turn right up towards the fort. Keep to the left of the fort and follow the road to the trail leading downhill and over a small bridge.

(3) Turn left and continue to follow the trail downhill all the way to the suspension bridge. Ignoring the suspension bridge, continue ahead until you pickup the road and turn left, all the way uphill till the next junction.

(4) Turn right, going over the bridge and stay on the road going past the stables and the main house.

(5) Follow the road as it bends to the right after passing the main house and follow downhill.

(6) Take the first left approx 800 metres from the house and go up through the field to the top gate.

(7) The road bends to the right in front of Wee Berbeth Loch which you will see to your front.

(8) Follow the road round to the right and up towards the old ruins and beyond. Continue on the road over the hill and back down onto the Dalcairney road. Go through the gate at the sheep pens and turn right and head downhill to the bridge, falls can be reached by the path immediately after the bridge.

Leave the falls and head back over the bridge heading up. On the corner you will see a gate to your front. Take this gate and cross over a small walkway and up to another gate. Pass through the gate and turn right, Follow the fence all the way to the top where you will come out at the ruins.

(8) Once on the road again, turn left and retrace your steps back down to the estate main road where you came up from.

(6) Once back at the road, go straight on, rather than turning right going back up the way you came. Dirt road goes off at an angle to the right, follow and turn left at the junction and go over the bridge.

(10) Turn right going uphill. Stay on this track up and over the hill and back down the other side. Go straight down towards the burn.

(3) Cross over on the wee bridge and pass through the gate.

(10) Follow the road hand railing the river up to the next gate. Pass through the gate and walk over to and cross the suspension bridge. Turn right down the wee hill or go straight on and down to the right, both bring you onto the Ness Glen trail starting under the suspension bridge. Follow the trail all the way back to the roundhouse. (E)

Start : Start at the Roundhouse at Loch Doon Dam. Dalmellington, Ayr (KA6 7QE) Grid ref. NS 476 012

Parking : Parking directly behind the Roundhouse is for customers only. There are plenty of spaces in the layby just after.

Dog policy : Dogs to be kept under full control at all times as sheep occupy the first half of the route.

Note : As with all walks, please remember the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

For more information contact Doon Valley Walkers here.

Geocaching on the track for Krocknearie and Meikle Knowe of Craighead. (Please use the GeoCaching application for more details on their location)