New Luce and the Caves of Kilhern

Summary

This circular walk explores a quiet and somewhat neglected part of Dumfries and Galloway. It combines a section of the Southern Upland Way over the moors with minor roads to make a circuit from the small village of New Luce.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, rough tracks and paths, can be boggy in places.

Getting there

Start

Parking at New Luce hall.

Public Transport

New Luce has only 3 buses a week (from Stranraer) - so it's not possible to do the walk and return.

Start Grid Ref

NX174645

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 105m (Profile)

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Explorer 310 - New Luce

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Park at the village hall in New Luce. The walk begins by heading south along the road towards Glenluce, passing the church. Ignore the turning off to the left.

Stage 2

After 2km turn left onto a track signed as part of the Southern Upland Way. Follow the uphill, and continue straight ahead through a gate and follow the track with a drystone dyke on your left.

Stage 3

After another gate the wall is left behind - keep ahead on the now grassy track - which is boggy in places - with wind turbines visible ahead. Keep ahead - passing through another gate - for around 2.5km until a gate near the ruins at Kilhern.

Stage 4

Don't pass through the gate here, instead turning left. After another gate follow the winding track, which is muddy in places. Continue to reach another gate. The Caves of Kilhern - actually a 4000 year old chambered cairn - can be visited by detouring 250m to the right here - keep the wall to your left.

Stage 5

Return to the gate, pass through and continue along the track. When the track swings right at the next gate, leave it to go through the gate and continue through the pasture with a drystane dyke on your right. The path descends towards a farmstead; when it meets a track, turn left to follow this down to the road.

Stage 6

At the road, turn left and follow it for 1.75km back to the junction in New Luce; turn right at the church to return to the hall car park at the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Newton Stewart Hotels

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