A good exploration of Dumfries' parks and riverside on the south side of the city. Can easily be extended to take in the Robert Burns Centre. Good for children with play parks (cafe/toilets) and ducks on the river.
Clear paths,shared cycleway, pavement and road crossings.
Bus or train to Dumfries.
Whitesands carpark, Dumfries.
There is a riverside car park (Whitesands) north of St Micheal's Bridge, a red sandstone arched bridge just south of the metal pedestrian suspension bridge crossing the Nith. From here head south downstream along the river soon crossing over the A756 and continuing next to the river into Dock Park. Continue through the park on the main path near the river.
Pass the white metal pedestrian bridge and cross the road at the traffic lights and go through the gateway just ahead into Castledykes Park. The route stays on the main path which heads uphill curving to the left and passing a bandstand and uphill past a play area to eventually exit near the public toilets. However there are many parts of the park which can be explored on short detours. including the site of Dumfries Castle built in 1186 by William the Lion and seized by Robert the Bruce in 1306 from the English as part of his quest for the Scottish throne.
At the park exit (with the toilets just to your right) turn right along the road, cross at the crossing, and continue until a shared cycle path on the left leads between high hedges into the grounds of prevous Crichton Royal Hospital. This was built as a pioneering psychiatric hospital in Victorian times and is now home to a University Campus and Business Park. Bear right to cross the the main driveway cross and take the middle road opposite and follow it for a very short distance before taking a red gravel path on the right. Follow this through the landscaped grounds to a water garden.
At the water garden turn left onto a flagstone path and follow this up past a small pond and up steps to a playing field. Follow the path next to the benches which skirts the left side of the playing field and go up the steps at the far end. Cross the road and take the road on the left to head up towards the large Crichton Memorial Church. Head uphill to pass the right side of the church and cross into the car park opposite turning right to pass in front of the imposing Easterbrook Hall, an events venue.
After passing Easterbrooks Hall turn right down a wide tree lined path. At the bottom of this turn left at the road and then immediately right to head down a narrow walled road marked with no-entry signs. At the bottom bear left to reach a roundabout and turn right to cross the road and head down Kingholm Loaning. Follow this all the way to Kingholm Quay. Just before the river bear right following the road to pass the small harbour on the tidal section of the Nith. After the building on the left and before the pub on the right turn left onto the shared cycle way next to the water.
The cycle way is part of the national cycle network and leads back into Dumfries along the river. It passes the cricket pitch and follows a short section next to the road before heading through Dock Park and back to the start. To visit the Robert Burns Centre keep following the riverside path and cross the pedestrian suspension bridge and follow the path on the far side of the river. Otherwise continue on the riverside to return to the start.
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