Rockcliffe to Sandyhills

Summary

This superb linear coastal walk links picturesque Rockcliffe with the sandy beach at Sandyhills. In between there is some excellent coastal and clifftop scenery with great views up and down the coastline as well as across the Solway Firth. An infrequent bus service leads back to the start - or you could walk (doubling the time and distance).

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Coastal path, muddy in places.

Getting there

Start

Rockcliffe.

Public Transport

Bus to Rockcliffe. The (fairly infrequent) service also links to Sandyhills for the return journey.

Start Grid Ref

NX850535

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.25km / 4.5 miles
Time: 2 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 266m (Profile)

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Explorer 313 - Dumfries

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

There is a car park on the left before the road reaches the shore at Rockcliffe. This beautiful coastal village enjoys a grand location on the Rough Firth, and has many fine houses as well as a teashop. To begin the walk turn left out of the car park and after a couple of houses turn left along a private lane signed for Castle Point/Sandyhills.

Stage 2

The lane leads past some old stone-built villas; as it curves left inland bear right onto a signed footpath. Stay on the main path (an offshoot leads to the shore) until a fork, bear right here and at the next path junction to reach the shore at Port o' Beagle, with views out to Hestan Island. Continue past the white bungalow and follow the clear coastal path, soon passing a rocky section before cutting left inland at a sign, passing Nelson's Grave, the burial place of the only body washed up from a 1791 shipwreck near Castle Point. Go through a kissing gate and continues along the field edge to the right.

Stage 3

At the end of the field is a grassy mound, accessed via a gate. This is Castlehill Point; the mound was once the site of an iron age fort and still commands grand views across the Solway Firth - with the Robin Rigg offshore wind farm in clear view on a good day. Return to the gate at the foot of the mound and turn right to continue along the field edge. A wooden gate on the right gives access to the pebbly cove at Barcloy Heigh. The coastwalk, however, continues ahead, heading through a gate in the wall and climbing across the flanks of Barcloy Hill above the cliffs.

Stage 4

After another two gates the path descends through gorse to reach a lower-lying section of the coast. There are more gates as the route cuts around the back of the rocky inlets of Bogle Hole, backed by a ruin at Gutcher's Isle; there are two shingle coves here which are almost barred from the sea by narrow rocky channels. Beyond this the path climbs again, with further gates before it leads across open grassy pastures above the sea. Look out for nesting cormorants on the cliffs on this section.

Stage 5

Soon Millstone Loup and the coastal cliffs of White Hill loom ahead impressively, and the path climbs once again to pass above; before descending towards a group of houses by the sea and after a boardwalk and gate reaches a lane. Turn left passing some cottages and grand houses before turning right after around 0.5km where a large tree and farmhouse stand on the right. Head down the lane signed for Sandyhills. As the private lane descends to Fishers Croft leave the road at the bend to go up a couple of steps onto the coastal path in the trees. Go through a gate onto the landward side of a drystone dyke.

Stage 6

Continue on the coast path as it climbs to the final highpoint on the route, the viewpoint on the flanks of Torrs Hill. From here there is a great outlook across Sandyhills Bay and along the coastline beyond. The coast path keeps close to the fence on your right before descending and heading inland keeping to the rightside of a field to go through a gate in the stone wall leading onto the path through trees and low bushes.

Stage 7

Keep left to pass a pench with a lovely sea view and access to the sand at the very far end of Sandyhills Bay. When the grassy path splits (the right turn leading directly to the shore) keep left and at a clear fork keep rght to reach a footbridge over a burn. The path now continues along the grassy ground just above the shore with the Sandyhills Bay campsite on your left. Cross the back of the beach to a large signboard. Turn left to reach the car park (charge) and then the public toilets with free 30min car park and bus stop at Sandyhills. The bus back is infrequent, alternatively return by the same route.

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