Kippford and Rockcliffe circular

A popular wooded coastal walk between the two picturesque waterside villages of Kippford and Rockcliffe, taking in two optional viewpoints. Cafe and pubs in Kippford.

Terrain

Minor road, clear woodland paths.

Public Transport

Bus to Kippford.

Start

Kippford. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Currently 3.75/5

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.25km / 3.25 miles
Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 140m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NX837553

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Walk Description

Stage 1

There is parking on the left hand side as you come down the hill into Kippford, there are also public toilets here. Start by crossing the road to the marina and turning left along the pavement towards the main part of the village. The estuary has extensive mud flats which are a haven for birds and means the view is always changing depending on the state of the tide.

Stage 2

Pass the lifeboat station and continue past the Ark shop/cafe to follow the narrow private road passing a varied collection of desirable houses. Rough Island comes into view out in Rough Firth, it is accessible across the mudflats and causeway at low tides although the National Trust for Scotland which owns it, discourages visitors when nesting birds breed in May, June and July.

Stage 3

Keep an eye out for a sign for Rockcliffe just before the last two houses. Follow the track up between the houses and soon this becomes a footpath rising into the woods. Where it meets another path coming in from the left (part of the Woodpecker circular walk from Rockcliffe) keep ahead and stay on the main path (ignoring any side paths) through the mixed woodland. The path heads down to the sea and passes in front of a house near the slipway. Follow the track as it curves heads inland.

Stage 4

Keep an eye out for a signed path on the right and follow this over a bridge to a path junction. Keep straight ahead to reach a metal kissing gate, go through this and across the entrance drive to the house on the right and through the second gate and follow the track down to the bay at Rockcliffe. There is an excellent tea shop (The Garden Room) at the far end of the bay, just follow the road to reach it; there is also a hotel up the first road on the left.

Stage 5

Once you have explored Rockcliffe head back along the outward path, through the two kissing gates to the fork in the path marked with a white arrow. Bear right following the arrow across a grassy path to head left across a wooden bridge and then follow the path ahead to the Mark of Mote. The site was a fort occupied in the 5th and 6th centuries. Go through the wooden gate and bear left at the fork to follow the blue arrow up the steep path to the top. There is a good view over the Urr Estuary. Return down the same way and turn left at the path junction.

Stage 6

Follow the meandering path through two wooden gates and pass a woodpecker carving. After this turn left to follow the Jubilee footpath signed for Kippford. Part way along there is a longer detour marked with a blue arrow uphill to the right which leads to the top of The Muckle, a stunning viewpoint well worth the effort. Return down the same path and turn right onto the main path and follow it until it reaches the road at Kippford, this soon leads down past interesting houses to the waterfront where you can retrace your steps back to the car park.

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