Earlier start as car parks have been busy. If going direct to HSM there are 2 parks - National Trust or HSM. If not a NT member choose HSM as it is cheaper at £5.00 for the day. Meet up outside the cafe entrance. We start along the old tramway before then following Moses Trod for a while until we branch off right to drop down into the head of Ennerdale following Loft Beck. Hopefully we will be treated to the brilliant views of the North faces of the high fells that form the head of this wonderful valley - namely Gt Gable, Kirk Fell and Looking Stead onto Pillar. Once in the valley it is a short way to Blacksail Hut and our first stop. Then it's a climb up to Scarth Gap - not too far. Followed by the climb up onto Haystacks and our choice of the many grassy ledges for lunch. Then it's all downhill and into the cafe?

David

Car Park – Kippford Yacht Club -DG5 4LL

Grid reference OS Explorer Map313 - 836 553

This walk encompasses the very best offered on the Scottish Riviera, beautiful coastal villages with hidden histories, stunning woodland, an attractive rugged cliff top walk and spectacular views.

Leaving the car park, we walk down along the Urr Estuary.

Bearing left in the village we head uphill onto the” Jubilee Path towards Rockcliffe” (National Trust) At a meeting of paths in Mark Hill Forest (Forestry Commission) we may take a small detour on the Woodpecker Trail up to the Mote of Mark site of a Dark Ages 5^th century trading fort with spectacular views over Rough Island and the Solway.

Returning to the junction we now follow the path for Dalbeattie Road (Core Path146) leading us out of the forest. Crossing over the A710 we follow a tarmac track leading onto farmland then onwards into the Dalbeattie Forest (one of the”7 Stanes”-world top class mountain biking centres). We will pass along the banks of Barean Loch and White Loch heading towards Colvend.

From Colvend we walk through the wood to Portling junction .

At the bottom of the lane where, we access the Coastal Footpath signposted to Rockcliffe and our return journey begins.

To reach the top of White Hill we now endure a steep climb. From White Hill the path meanders up and down the cliff tops along a clear well-trodden route.

Eventually Castle Hill Point comes into view. With a commanding position at the head of the Rough Firth, this is the site of an ancient Iron Age medieval fort. Set on a plinth is an engraved compass enabling identification a range of places very familiar to us.

From here we turn north and follow the footpath up the estuary towards the quiet coastal village of Rockcliffe.

The footpath to the left of the Public Toilets in Rockcliffe via woodland, cockle shell beaches and some quirky animal sculptures made of stone and drift wood brings us back to Kippford -hopefully in time for refreshments.

Carol