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.
Minor road, clear woodland paths.
Bus to Kippford.
Kippford.
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.
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.
Keep an eye out for a sign for Rockcliffe just before the last two houses. Follow the path between the houses and into the woods. It joins another path coming from the left - go right here. Keep ahead, ignoring another path off left, and continue through the mixed woodland. When the path reaches a track, turn left and follow it, running down to the sea and passing a lovely cottage near the slipway. Follow the track as it curves left and heads inland.
Keep an eye out for a footpath on the right that crosses a footbridge. Follow this to a path junction by a rock and a fence (you'll return here shortly). Bear right to head for the metal kissing gate, passing through and across the entrance drive to a house on the right. Go through a 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.
Once you have explored Rockcliffe head back along the outward path, through the two kissing gates to the path junction near the rock / end of the fence. Bear right following the arrow across a fainter grassy path over a meadow. When it meets a track head across it, bearing left to cross a wooden bridge. Now follow the path ahead to the Mark of Mote. The site was a fort occupied in the 5th and 6th centuries. Cross the meadow and go through the wooden gate, then bear left at the fork to follow the steep path to the top. This gives stunning views over the Urr Estuary.
Return down the same way and turn left at the path junction. Follow the meandering path through two wooden gates and pass a woodpecker carving. After this turn left at a signed junction to follow the Jubilee footpath (marked for Kippford). Ignore small paths off on the right and left; just after a bench there's another path off right which is an optional detour. It climbs up through the trees to reach the top of The Muckle, ridge with fine views - including over Kippford from the far end.
Return down the same path and turn right onto the main Jubilee path, following 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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