---

 

Walking in the Moffat Hills

Moffat is at the centre of a great walking area being surrounded by a huge expanse of wild hills in every direction. Recently, Moffat has joined the Walkers are Welcome scheme.

Lying at the midpoint of the Southern Upland Way coast-to-coast route, there are hundreds of square miles of hills, glens and lochs within easy reach of the town.

---

 

To the east up towards Moffat Dale are some excellent high-level routes, which include a number of Corbetts (hills over 2500ft).

The drama of the famous Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall is stunning especially when looking down into the abyss from the upper path. Combine this with a traverse of the tops above Loch Skene and you have a days walking hard to beat anywhere.

Hart Fell at over 800m dominates the town to the north. It can be approached from any side but a personal favourite is via Saddle Yoke and The Black Hope horseshoe.

A few miles to the north can be found the Tweedsmuir Hills the highest of which is Broad Law at 840m. Again there are some tremendous days to be spent here. John Buchan immortalized much of the area in his novel The Thirty-nine Steps.

To the west are the Lowther Hills, which stretch over to Wanlockhead and beyond. Though not as high they offer a level of solitude which is hard to find these days.

If the hills sound a bit strenuous then there are plenty of low-level routes around Moffat. The Garpol Glen is an easy walk from the town, up over the Moffat Golf course and across the Evan Water. Take a look at the ruins of Auchen Castle at one time held by both the Earls of Moray and the Earls of Morton and dates back to the thirteenth century.

If you you would like something a little gentler try a stroll on the beach at Southerness. The views over the Solway to the Lakeland Fells are reward enough.

…..

Here are some useful walking/Moffat related links

Walking in Dumfries and Galloway

AnnandaleWay Long Distance walking route to be officially opened in September 2009. The way starts at the Devil’s Beef Tub just north of Moffat and follows the river Annan down to the sea some 50 or so miles away on the Solway.

Hill walkers and mountaineers wanted to help with the Carrifran Wild Wood project

Moffat Ramblers Group Regular programme of walks in the Moffat area

Walking World very detailed descriptions of over one hundred walks in Dumfries and Galloway as well as many more beyond available for a small fee but this covers down loads of all the OS maps and photos necessary for all the routes. With over 4500 walks to choose from in Britain and 30 walks within 30 miles of Moffat and probably 30 walks within 30 miles of your home. Well worth it.

Walking Britain less detailed descriptions of the walks but still 6700 pages of walking information. Very easy to use and it is free.