Grey Mare's Tail and Loch Skeen

The Grey Mare's Tail is one of Scotland's finest waterfalls, a magnificent 60m cascade in the Moffat hills. This walk climbs past the falls and continues up to beautiful Loch Skeen, ringed by craggy hillsides.

Terrain

Good hill path with steep climb; care needed above the ravine.

Public Transport

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Start

Grey Mare's Tail car park. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.5km/2.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 278m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NT186144

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 330 - Moffat
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the Grey Mare's Tail car park. This area, right up to White Coomb, is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. During the summer months there is an information trailer which gives details about the work of the trust here - you might meet the ranger inside. The path begins on the west side of the burn but soon crosses a footbridge and then climbs steeply to get above the landslips at the bottom end of the gorge of the Tail Burn. The path then makes a rising traverse above the gorge. Look out for the Peregrine Falcons who nest on the crags here.

Stage 2

The great cataract that is the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall becomes more impressive with each step - as does the drop into the ravine! The falls are 60m high and must rank amongst the most impressive in Scotland; they were celebrated in verse by Sir Walter Scott:

Where deep deep down, and far within
Toils with the rocks the roaring linn;
Then issuing forth one foamy wave,
And wheeling round the giant's grave
White as the snowy charger's tail
Drives down the pass of Moffatdale.

Photo: AnnaKika

Stage 3

Look out also for a herd of hairy wild mountain goats that roam this area. The path continues climbing, albeit now more gradually, and passes a couple of other smaller waterfalls. Continue up the hanging valley of the Tail Burn through hummocks to reach the outflow of picturesque Loch Skeen.

Stage 4

The waters of the loch, seldom still, are backed by the craggy rim of the plateau; this is a beautiful spot. To the west rises the Corbett of White Coomb. The well constructed path ends at this point; unless intent on a longer and more challenging hillwalk the return is the same way, though passing the magnificent Grey Mare's Tail once again is no hardship.

Photo - Eileen Henderson

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.