Dumfries and Galloway
This page: updated 1 February 2012
Woodland & Estate Walk
in Dumfries and Galloway Scotland
Threave Estate Circular Walk
Distance: approx 2.5 miles (round trip) but you can make it longer if you take detours- Typical duration: approximately 1.5 hours for the main walk
- Walking on: path, gravel, grass, beaten earth - can be muddy at certain times of year.
- Starting point: Threave Gardens rear entrance Car Park
NB There are two cars parks! One at the visitor centre and one at the rear entrance of Threave Gardens. The walk actually starts at the latter car park but if you find yourself in the car park at the visitor centre, walk down towards the Discovery Childrens Play Area and you'll find the other car park just out the gate, to the right of the play park.
Walk overview
Circular farmland and woodland walk along around Threave Estate that provides views of the surrounding countryside, Threave Castle (with an option to take a detour to visit the Castle ruins) and, at times, follows the line of the disused railway.
Threave Estate is managed by the National Trust for Scotland, gifted in 1948 by Major Gordon.
Walk route
At the far end of the rear entrance car park (see above) there is a gate which allows you to cross the road, go between some cottages then start to follow the Estate Walk path by following the red arrows (though sometimes the arrows are, confusingly, yellow!).
There are two walk detours, one for a closer view of the remains of Threave Castle (it stands on an island) and the other to Lamb Island bird hide where waterfowl can be spotted at any time of year.
Look out for
Where the walk follows the line of the disused railway - this route carried steam trains between Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright from 1861 to 1965.
Threave Gardens provides a perfect place to stop and rest either before or after the walk - outside amongst the gardens or play area or inside with refreshments at the Visitor Centre.
How to get here
By road
Threave Gardens are just off the A75, 1 mile west of Castle Douglas.By bike
National Cycle Route 7 passes next to Threave.
There are more images of the Threave Estate walk on facebook
Click here to visit our facebook page and see these photos >>
Coming for holiday?