The Muckle Walk

• Circular coastal and forest path
• 5km/3 miles
• Allow 2 hours
• Beaten earth, stone path and tracks
• Moderate
• Stout shoes or walking boots recommended

START from the council car park, turn left down the hill and walk into the village. Turn right at the Y-junction (towards the Baron's Craig Hotel), turn left at the T-junction, pass the hotel entrance and follow the Jubilee Path until you reach the double gate into Mark Hill Wood.

This is the start of the Muckle Walk which is indicated by blue waymarker posts. The sheltered forest paths and tracks here are popular basking spots for reptiles, which need the heat of the sun to warm them and give them energy to move around. Adders are common all along the Galloway coast and are easily identifiable by their dark zig zag markings. Adders are beautiful and shy creatures and often move silently away as they sense you approaching. If you are lucky enough to see one remember that they do have a poisonous bite and so admire them from a safe distance.

The path rises steadily and blue waymarkers will lead you onto the top of the Muckle Hill. Although not a huge ascent, the height is sufficient to give stunning views out to sea across the estuary and inland towards Dalbeattie. If tide times are right, the top of the Muckle is a good spot to watch sailing boats coming and going at Kippford. The tide in the Rough Firth goes out a long way and boats have only a few hours at high tide to get safely in or out of the estuary. From time to time sailors are caught out and are stranded on the mudbanks until the next high tide.

After descending Mark Hill you will meet the Jubilee Path. Turn left for Rockcliffe.