2 Day Walking Breaks

– Ideal for a weekend or short break.

Our 2 Day Walking Breaks, whether during the weekend or other days of the week, are an ideal way to experience the variety of terrain and culture of Dumfries and Galloway.

Each day’s walk, whether circular or linear, is in a different location. Walks can be from half to a full day giving you the opportunity to also look around the area using our up-to- date information on vistor attractions and things to do. You can use your own car for transport or we can assist with our minibus.

Below we outline three 2 day walking breaks with different grade options - Easy, Moderate and Strenuous.  These relate to the walk distance and difficulty. You can walk either day first.

We have an extensive selection of other walks in the region which we can incorporate into a 2 day walking break, so If you have specific requirements for a 2 day walking break, just let us know and we will respond with an outline itinerary and a price quote.

Format

- After arrival, we will meet you at your first night’s accommodation base where we provide and take you through your Walk Information Pack which includes route maps and daily itineraries with you.
Your first day’s walk starts after breakfast the following day when, if required, we can provide transport.
After your second night's stay and the second day’s walk, you can either depart or stay another night if you wish.

Transport

- Walk tranport prices (drop off at walk start and pickup at end) are shown separately in case you wish to use your own car for circular walks. For linear walks, using our minibus, we are able to drop off at the start point and pickup at end or even part assist with public transport if you wish.

Prices 

- include 2 nights accommodation at our 4 star Summerhill B&B subject to availability, or other selected B&B's in and around Castle Douglas, the welcome meeting and provision of the walks and local Information pack and transport if required.
We can also arrange hotel and other accommodation in other areas and the welcome meeting can be optional - prices amended asccordingly.
10% discount for groups of 4 or more.

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2A - Threave Estate and the Scottish Riviera.

Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – Both walks from 2 to 6 miles with longer options.
Grade – Easy.
Comments – Two local favourite walks allowing you to choose how far you want to walk each day.
Price – £95 p.p.(assuming two sharing). Transport - £10 plus £5 p.p.

Summary

- For a gentle 2 day or weekend walking break, we explain the various options at these favourite walking areas which let you experience countryside, riverside, woodland and coastal walking.
Threave Estate is run by the National Trust for Scotland with the Threave Garden, which boasts something to see in every season, is one of the most visited gardens in Scotland. Threave Castle (Historic Scotland), in a separate location is situated on an island on the R. Dee - ring the bell for the ferry! 
The RSPB also assist at a nearby viewing platform, which allows visitors to see nesting ospreys, a unique close view of these wonderful birds. 

Nearby at the Solway coast is the East Stewartry National Scenic Area, part of which was known by the Victorians as 'the Scottish Riviera'. A popular, very picturtesque area between two villages is looked after the National Trust for Scotland.

Our easy walks of various distance options, take you through a variety of landscapes allowing you to enjoy spectacular views of the coast and also woodland walkways. There are also remains of a Mote of Mark which belonged to a Dark Ages chieftain - possibly one of the Princes of Rheged.

Depending on the tide, it is possible to walk out to Rough island, which is home to seabirds (access is restricted during May and June nesting sesaon) including ringed plovers and oyster catchers. Whichever walk you choose there is a great diversity of wildlife to be spotted in this area including several species of butterlfy, birds including, tern, scaups, shelduck, cormorant, on cliffs and shore with stonechat, whitethroat, linnet and willow warbler. Inland many kinds of wild flower can ber found on the heath and in the woods.

We can discuss the various options on meeting and suggest excellent tea rooms and pub / restaurants where you can enjoy a snack or full meal during or at the end of the walk depending on the route taken.

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2B – Fleet Valley and Glenkiln Sculptures.

Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – Both walks around 5 miles with longer options.
Grade – Moderate.
Comments – The Fleet Valley walk has several places to visit including good places to enjoy refreshments, while the Sculptures is peace and quiet in the hills.
Price – £105 p.p. (assuming two sharing).  Transport - £45 plus £5 p.p.

Summary

- The Fleet Valley is a National Scenic Area with various walk options: woodland, roads, tracks and coastal areas all with stunning landscape, great views and lots of things to see from the flora and fauna to sites of historical interest.
One coastal walk for example takes in an ancient churchyard, a tiny church built like a fort, an old bathing hut to which in the early part of the last century the ladies were driven in pony and trap and a ‘dun’ or fort dating back to the iron age – and a glimpse of a landmark known as the ‘coo palace’. From every point the views, whether looking out to sea or landward are stunning.
A walk out to an island at low tide is possible where you can climb a small hill to place a stone on the cairn there and admire the views all around. Monks once lived on this island though there is little trace of their monastery now.
A walk from Carrick shore to Gatehouse of Fleet, takes in the views along the shore. A detour route can take you past Cardoness Castle, which is well worth a visit.
In Gatehouse of Fleet several refreshment options can be found including the Cally Palace Hotel. Near the town is the popular Cream o’ Galloway ice cream farm where you can see how the ice cream is made and explore an organic farm.
In addition to the coastal options there are also several woodland and hill walks in and around the Fleet valley which we discuss at your welcome meeting.

As a contrast a not too steep hill walk takes you around an amazing ‘outdoor sculpture gallery’ at the beautiful location of Glenkiln Reservoir. Landowner Sir William Keswick created the world’s first collection of sculptures in a landscape setting. These stunning and thought-provoking works, by some of the world’s greatest sculptors include Henry Moore’s King and Queen which sit gazing serenely over the landscape. There is also work by Auguste Rodin and Jacob Epstein. The most strenuous part of the walk is the climb to Henry Moore’s Glenkiln Cross on top of a hill but it is well worth the effort for the stunning views from the top.
Such modern artworks could be baffling to some people back in the 1950s and there is an amusing (thought probably untrue) story that when Moore’s Standing Figure arrived someone thought they were unpacking spare parts for farm machinery.
As well as admiring the works of art set amongst the landscape there is the Glenkiln Reservoir with a great variety of birds.
There are no eating places on this walk so it is advisable to take a picnic. If using your own car, you can combine this walk with other places of interest and walks in the area on which we can also advise.

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2C - Southern Upland Way and Brighouse Bay.

Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – Both walks are 8 miles with longer options.
Grade – Challenging.
Comments – Walk a stretch of the SUW across moorland and hill terrain and at Brighouse two or even 3 coastal walks can be joined together for a full walking day.
Price – £115 p.p. (assuming two sharing). Transport - £45 plus £5 p.p.

Summary

- We pick a stretch cross country Southern Upland Way walking route and link walk route in The Glenkens to suit your preferred walking distance. There are several end options including two villages with tea rooms or pubs as pick up points. We can discuss what suits you best.
Brighouse Bay is a popular recreation area with a holiday park and golf course. There are several excellent coastal walk options which we can advise.
One walk has a route starting out close to the shoreline then through a wooded area before heading up onto the cliff tops with breathtaking views before turning back inland. Interpretation boards along the route give information on the wildlife and flora to be found. The walk then continues along a path, past Cairniehill Loch which is an important habitat for newts and through rich farm land to return to the starting point.
Back at the holiday park there is a shop and restaurant for refreshment rather than a picnic if desired.
Other walks give you stunning views of Ross island and lighthouse with also a linear woodland walk option.
Contact Galloway Walking Holidays to book this walking break and get information on the best options to suit you.