This enjoyable waymarked circuit from Moffat explores the rolling fields, paths and pastures to the northeast side of this old Spa town.
Bog Factor
Mostly waymarked paths, tracks and grassy fields.
Moffat High Street.
Moffat is served by buses.
NT085052
The walk begins from the High Street in the centre of Moffat, which has a statue of a ram celebrating its history as an important centre in the wool trade. Head up Well Street which turns off next to the clocktower, and has a good range of local independent shops. At the end of the street go straight across up Old Well Road.
This leads uphill, passing the Old Well Theatre. Soon the road narrows to a lane, and then becomes a track. At a junction turn right, signed for 'Heatheryhaugh' and follow the surfaced path, with good views over the town to the right. Ignore a signed path to Haywood Road, continuing ahead.
Eventually the path reaches a kissing gate. Pass through this and then keep ahead, staying to the left side of a fence as you cross the open pastures. When another kissing gate is reached at a wall, pass through and turn right, following a path between the wall and fence. This leads down to a road; turn left up this. The road leads to the Moffat Well and would have once been busy with those heading to take the waters, but now it is very quiet. Continue past the fine Archbank House.
Past the house, the road crosses a bridge with iron balconies over the Hind Gill. On the far side turn right through a gate, signed for Alton. Cross the initially muddy field, keeping to the right atop the grassy bank. A bench is reached; from here head half left downhill to join a track leading down to a bridge.
Cross the bridge and keep on the main track (ignoring one going left), following it as it rises gently. When it swings left leave it, continuing straight ahead across the grass towards a marker post. Continue over a small bridge to reach a kissing gate in a wall. Go straight ahead across the next field (ignoring a path heading down to the right) to reach another gate. Now keep right of the marshy area, aiming for yet another gate and kissing gate. Turn right along the track beyond.
The track leads to the house at Alton, but before reaching it turn left through a gate (waymarker), climbing uphill beside a fence towards the right hand edge of a plantation. There are great views from here, looking over Moffat towards Queensberry and the Harestanes wind farm. Go through a kissing gate and follow the path between the plantation and the enclosing wall. Keep ahead along this until a waymarker and a kissing gate on the right.
Pass through this and head down through the field, aiming towards the distant white bungalow of Frenchland. Pass through two kissing gates in a wall at the far end, then keep ahead to reach the start of a track at a farm gate. Head down this track, following it when it swings right to head down past the barn, reaching the bungalow. From here follow the tarred lane which swings left and reaches the main road. Here turn right along the verge, soon reaching the edge of Moffat where you can cross to use the pavement on the far side. Continue along the road to return to the town centre.
This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?
