The woodland adjacent to the Golf Course is owned by the Golf Club, but the footpaths are maintained by local volunteers supported by a grant for materials from the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership.
| Start Point: | From layby on A762 going south, situated on the right about 200 yards beyond Golf Course car park. |
| Grade: | Moderate due to steep sections |
| Distance: | 0.7 miles, 2 miles or 2.5 miles depending on route chosen. |
| Description: | The routes are circular, apart from the extension to Kenmure Castle ruins and can be walked in either direction. A path leading off to the left of the short circular route near the highest point goes through a gap in the wall to woodland owned by Mr Jamie Gordon who is happy for walkers to use the paths. |
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A left turn at the gap in the wall descends into woodland with a few boggy sections.
At a fork in the path turn right and descend beyond a boggy section past a break in the trees until the next gap and follow the path down with mature pine trees on your left.
At the junction with a wide level track turn right and proceed downhill then gradually ascending until the path heads into a plantation.
Turn right at the fork in the path up a steep bank until the path is parallel to the golf course.
Look for the gap in the wall on your left opposite a large beech tree where children have built a den and then go through the gap and follow the path back to your starting point.
Another alternative which can be added to extend your walk is to turn left after crossing through the wall (or continue ahead if you have walked the circuit described in the previous paragraph) and then left at the next fork in the path to take a steep and sometimes slippery descent to the A 762.
You are then close to the entrance to Kenmure Castle grounds
The castle ruins are in a dangerous state so avoid entering the building, but a walk up the castle mound and/or a circular walk around the mound – entrance gate shown above at end of drive – is very rewarding especially at snowdrop time.
Return to New Galloway by road or by retracing your previous route.
Plenty of lovely views nearby
Spot the top of the ruins of Kenmure Castle 
View of Loch Ken from Golf Course woodland
We would like to thank our sponsors at the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership for their support as part of the Exploring New Galloway project.
New Galloway Town Hall 