Walk 3290 - printer friendly version

Rockcliffe to Sandyhills Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km

Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference NX847537
Lat 54.8647490 + Long -3.7979840
Postcode DG5 4QQ (approx. location only)

This walk from Rockcliffe in Dumfries and Galloway explores a beautiful, rugged, and interesting section of the Colven Coast east to Sandhills. The route follows the coast path and offers views across the Solway Firth to the Lake District. With varied flora and fauna, scenic variety and other points of interest, this route is often said to be the finest coastal walk in Scotland.

The start is the car park at the eastern end of the beach in Rockcliffe (grid ref. NX847537). After parking walk along the road with the sea to your right. A short distance offshore is Rough Island. Continue to the east end of the beach and turn right along a lane signed to the Merse and Castle Point. Pass the houses on your left and continue to the end of the lane. Continue ahead along a signed footpath which runs along the top of the beach around Portobeagle Bay. The path continues to the left over a rocky section passing the grave of Joseph Nelson who was shipwrecked in 1791.

The onward path heads uphill across a field to reach Castlehill Point where an information board explains the history which included an Iron Age Fort. The headland also offers an excellent view across the Solway Firth. Continue east along the path along the cliff tops of Barcloy Heigh. The route continues across the flank of Barcloy Hill before descending to Bogle Hole. Continuing east you pass a stone cross commemorating the life of Captain Samuel Wilson who perished in a shipwreck.

The route continues across fields passing through several gates before climbing steeply onto the side of White Hill. The route descends steeply including a stepped section down to Port o' Warren. Turn left uphill along a narrow lane to Portling. After 500 metres, turn right down a road signed to Sandyhills. Nearing the shore turn left up steps by a fingerpost. The path then climbs steadily onto Torrs Hill, another excellent viewpoint. Another information board provides details of the immediate vicinity. The route then descends through several gates and more steps to cross a footbridge leading to Sandyhills beach. Depending on tides you can turn left and visit the Needle's Eye natural arch. Continue ahead keeping the caravan park on your left. You soon reach the main road and car park (grid ref. NX891593).

As this a linear walk you either need to use two cars or use the no.372 bus service between Rockcliffe and Sandhills. The bus service is not that frequent with buses every 2 hours during the week and three services on Sundays. Do check the timetable at bus timetable. I chose to park at Sandyhills, just in time to catch a bus to Rockcliffe as this avoided the possibility of a long wait at Sandhills for a return bus.

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