Dumfries, Thornhill and Nithsdale
The old County Town of Dumfries, packed with fine red sandstone buildings, was once the home of Robert Burns, and is attractively set on the River Nith. Downstream is the Nith Estuary - an important habitat for birdlife; here rises Criffel, a coastal hill looking to the English Lake District, whilst across the estuary magnificent Caerlaverock is an icon amongst Scottish castles.
Stretching north from Dumfries is Nithsdale, beginning with pastoral landscapes but, once beyond Thornhill and up to Sanquhar and beyond, enclosed by rolling hills. To the east are the Lowthers - cradling the beautiful village of Durisdeer and the former mining village of Wanlockhead, whilst to the west the hills are lower but include Andy Goldsworthy's Striding Arch sculptures around Cairnhead.
| Walk | Grade | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caerlaverock Castle and Nature Reserve |
 | 3km | 1 hour |
| River Nith circuit, Carronbridge |
| 3km | 1 hour |
| Dumfries parks and riverside, Dumfries |
| 6.75km | 2 hours |
| Burns walk circular, Dumfries |
| 7.5km | 2 - 2.5 hours |
| Forest of Ae walks |
| 9km | 2 - 2.5 hours |
| Carsethorn and Powillimount Shore walk |
| 9km | 3 - 3.5 hours |
| Drumlanrig Castle & Burnmouth Bridge circuit |
| 15.75km | 4 - 4.5 hours |
| Waterloo Monument, from New Abbey |
| 4.5km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Crichope Linn, near Thornhill |
| 4.5km | 1 - 1.5 hours |
| Criffel by the Ardwall path |
| 5.5km | 2 - 3 hours |
| Well Path circuit, Durisdeer |
| 6.5km | 2 - 3 hours |
| Striding Arches, near Moniaive |
| 9.5km | 2.5 - 3.5 hours |
| Queensberry, from Mitchellslacks |
| 11.25km | 4 - 5 hours |
| Green Lowther and Lowther Hill, Wanlockhead |
| 11.5km | 3 - 3.5 hours |
| Criffel circuit from New Abbey |
| 12.5km | 4.5 - 5.5 hours |
| Annandale Way |
|
88km | 5 stages |
| Southern Upland Way |
|
338km | 12 stages |