Southern Upland Way 5: Sanquhar to Wanlockhead

Summary

This short stage crosses scenic moorland to the interesting old mining district along Wanlock Water, where it is worth spending some time exploring.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Paths and tracks, some short steep sections and can be muddy in places. Care needed with navigation on the highest sections when misty.

Getting there

Start

Sanquhar.

Public Transport

Buses to both Wanlockhead and Sanquhar which also has a train station.

Start Grid Ref

NS780099

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Services

Sanquhar has 2 hotels, B&B on the edge of town, and food shops. Wanlockhead Inn has rooms, pods and informal camping, museum has a cafe, some good wild camp spots along Wanlock Water before you reach the village.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 12.5km / 7.75 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 569m (Profile)

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Explorer 329 - Lowther Hills

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

The stage starts at the southern end of Sanquhar High Street where the Way turns up Leven Road, bears left past some industrial works, passes under the railway, bends right then left to climb a steep grassy path between stone walls with excellent views back to Sanquhar and the hills beyond. Near the top, at Matthew's Folly, decorative wrought ironwork and a formal sandstone cairn marks the centenary of the Sanquhar Riding of the Marches in 2010, an annual summer festival involving horse riding, a parade and social events.

Stage 2

Soon the Way joins a farm road, leaving this where it turns left for a footpath through fields and through a narrow woodland with pedestrian gates. Descend slightly on a boggy path to cross a stream and climb up to a stile to reach a minor road. Turn right along this and before the farm fork left heading uphill.

Stage 3

Leave the track at a waymarker to continue ahead on a path that crosses to the left hand corner of a small wood (stile and gate). Continue straight ahead on the path to climb up moorland slopes, keeping the fence on your right, to eventually reach a gate on a col south-east of Conrig Hill. From here the path soon drops down to Cogshead. Near the bottom the path bears left to reach a stile and then heads down a track to cross the Cog Burn.

Stage 4

Just a short way up the track, turn right onto a signed path which gradually climbs onto rough moorland again. The path crosses the southern slopes of Lowmill Knowe and then the western slopes of Glengaber Hill. This is fine rolling hill country, purple with heather in late summer. In addition to sheep grazing this moorland is also managed for grouse shooting, both reasons for the lack of trees and smaller shrubs.

Stage 5

At a col below Glengaber hill the path becomes an old little-used grassy track that descends quite steeply to Wanlock Water with the mine workings soon coming into view on the slope opposite. At the bottom cross a footbridge over Wanlock Water and turn left on the track to head up the north side of the valley. There are a number of possible campspots near the river and also information boards about the lead mining heritage here.

Stage 6

After passing the first cottages and cemetery of the straggling village of Wanlockhead, bear right to leave the road at a sign and cross Wanlock Water again and turn left to follow the track of an old narrow gauge railway into the main part of the village, passing the entrance to a mine on the opposite side of the water. The path emerges at the interesting Museum of Mining, which has a cafe and toilets. Wanlockhead is the highest village in Scotland at 425 metres. Mining was carried out here from the Middle Ages to the 1950s.

Next stage: Wanlockhead to Beattock

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