This straightforward walk combines three waymarked routes through oak and mixed woodland which is a haven for wildlife including red squirrels. It's good walk for wildflowers in spring and summer, though it can be a little muddy at times.
Waymarked woodland paths, some muddy sections on the Red Route section.
Bus to Gatehouse of Fleet.
Cally Woods car park.
Start from the CAlly Woods car park, a short drive along Cally Avenue, through the gatepoists from the B727 on the east side of Gatehouse. It is also possible to follow the Garries Wood walk from Gatehouse to link the two routes. This walk combines most of the green, white and red waymarked routes to make a longer circuit. Leave the car park by the trail from next to the info board, following the white and blue markers.
When the route nears a track, turn left to stay in the woods above it. Ignore the marked path left for Robbers Gate, instead following the white and blue markers. Cross a small footbridge, then keep right to meet a track at a t-junction. Go left along this, then at a junction fork right onto a path into the woods (white and blue marker). The route now emerges at the foot of a Cally Motte, a mound on which a wooden castle stood in the 12th century. Keep left at the fork to pass to the left of the Motte (white marker).
The woods here are mainly a mix of oak, birch, sycamore and beech and provide a rich habitat for wildlife. Roe deer and red squirrels are often seen as well as buzzards and treecreepers. At the next junction keep right (white marker), then at a cross-paths turn left - across a rough muddy section - to join the red waymarked route which is shared with horseriders. It goes left at the next junction then climbs uphill. Keep following the path as it leads through the wood, rich in bluebells in early summer.
Go straight across at a track. The route now comes close to the edge of the woods, with views over pastures to your left. At a track turn left, then keep right at a fork (red markers). At one point there is a ford over a small burn. Beyond this, at another cross-paths, keep straight ahead. The path climbs once more.
Go straight across at another junction, then stay on the red waymarked path as it turns left. Note the remains of an ice house off to your right. The route now runs along the edge of the walled gardens, built in the 1770s to provide fruit and veg for Cally House. A gate on the left gives access to a wildlife hide.
At another junction with a wooden signpost turn right, then keep ahead at a cross-paths (red markers). Another cross-paths is reached - again keep ahead, with a 'Return to start' sign and red marker. At the next junction ignore the red route and return to start signs to go straight ahead again, now with white and blue markers once more. This crosses a footbridge and reaches a track; turn left along it, then take the next right to rejoin the outward route back to the car park.
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