Moffat to St Ann's

Summary

The second stage of the Annandale Way is mostly a mix of minor roads, forest tracks and field paths with a section of moorland walking. The route leaves Moffat on the A701 then crosses fields to join the Southern Upland Way and climb onto moorland on the west side of the valley from where it descends to plantations. The stage ends on a bus route, or alternatively walkers could continue onto the following stage to either Lochmaben or Lockerbie.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

The going is good on this section with dry paths, firm tracks and paved roads. There is one ascent on a road out of Beattock but otherwise it's fairly level.

Public Transport

Moffat is served by bus, as is the A701 (north of St Ann's) at the end of the stage.

Start

Station car park, Moffat. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13km / 8 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 180m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT083048

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

From the station car park head south on the A701 for 2km to where the road starts to curve to the south- west. Look out for a signpost pointing left across the fields of Dyke Farm. Leave the road and follow field paths south to an east-west running lane. For the next 2km the route coincides with that of the Southern Upland Way. Turn right along the lane which leads to the busy M74 motorway. The route passes under the motorway beside the Evan Water, a tributary of the River Annan.

Stage 2

Immediately past the motorway the route goes along a wide path in a delightful avenue of beech trees and then across the A701 to the northern edge of the village of Beattock. Still following the Southern Upland Way leave Beattock on a minor road known as the Crooked Road that crosses the West Coast Railway Line then climbs west through rough sheep pasture. As height is gained a view opens up across Beattock to rolling moorland hills.

Stage 3

After the ascent eases off leave it for a rough track at a gate and a sign pointing south across the moorland pastures. This track descends gradually to the Kinnel Water, another tributary of the River Annan. Crossing the stream the route now takes a minor road to another bridge over the Kinnel Water and a track through Edwardsrig Plantation, much of which has been felled, leaving a wasteland of stumps and discarded branches.

Stage 4

To the south-west can be seen the mansion of Raehills, surrounded by fine woodland. The forest track comes out at a minor road which is followed left towards the A701 road. The road passes a cottage. A sign is missing here, at GR069 957. The correct route goes right through a wide gate opposite the cottage and follows a path around the edge of a wood (a sign appears once out of sight of the gate) and up to the A701 road, which is crossed at this point. If you miss the gate continue on to reach the A701 and then turn right and walk along the road until you see the Annandale Way sign on the left. There is no accommodation here (or in St Ann's which is 1.5km south on the B701) but the road is part of the Dumfries - Moffat bus route.

Next Stage: St Ann's to Lochmaben or St Ann's to Lockerbie

Route / photos : Chris Townsend

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