#02
Castle Kennedy
to
Bargrennan
The route now starts to climb up to higher and more remote areas. Glenwhan Moor, Craig Aerie Fell and Glenvernoch Fell will provide some proper hill walking. The views from the top are well worth the climb.
After leaving the tranquil grounds of Castle Kennedy Gardens you soon start to climb up towards the wild landscape of Glenwhan Moor. Cutting around the edge of the forest you have views on one side and woodland on the other. Leaving the woodland you soon come to a small road and here you have a choice. Following the road takes you to New Luce where there is a small shop and somewhere to stay the night. Continuing along the path will take you to the Caves of Kilhern, a chambered cairn on a remote moor.
From here the route passes through farmland and into Killgallioch Forest. If you want to spend a night out in the wilderness with epic views and incredible starry skies then the Beehive Bothy is here for you.
A short while after the Bothy you will come across the ancient Laggangarn Standing Stones in a clearing in the forest. A bit further still and you start the ascent to Craig Airie Fell. This is the first real summit of the route and the views over the surrounding land are amazing.
There is now a long descent through the forest until we come back onto farmland and moor for the last bit of the journey. At Bargrennan is an excellent pub and a campsite and what more do you need.
And art thou come! and art thou true!
O welcome dear to love and me!
And let us all our vows renew,
Along the flowery banks of Cree.
Robert Burns
| Start | Castle Kennedy |
|---|---|
| Finish | Bargrennan |
| OS Explorer Maps | 310 Glenluce and Kirkcowan 318 Galloway Forest Park North 319 Galloway Forest Park South |
| Distance | 43 kms / 26.5 miles |
| Height Range | 25 – 320m |
| Total Ascent | 440m |
| Information Shelter | In New Luce and Bargrenan. |
| Supplies | Small shops in Castle Kennedy, New Luce and Glentrool. |
| Public Transport | Buses from Castle Kennedy to Stranraer. Limited bus services from New Luce and Bargrenan. |
| Cycling | The whole of this section is suitable for mountain bikes. There are some very steep sections and some very muddy sections. There are also some stiles that bikes will have to be lifted over. |
