Langholm Walks: The Walking Festival
Welcome to the Langholm Walking Festival
6th – 8th June 2008
The seventh Langholm Walking Festival will be held over the weekend of 6th – 8th June 2008. On each day there is a selection of guided walks which will explore the beautiful countryside around Langholm. Evening entertainment will be available on Saturday.
The walks are based on The Langholm Walks Network, created in summer 2000. There are currently 14 fully way marked walks in place, accompanied by a descriptive booklet. For more information on the network, please contact The Langholm Initiative at the address on the rear of this leaflet.
Walking in and around Langholm
The Langholm area is characterised by beautiful river valleys between green, rounded hills. The hills rise to 400-500 metres (1300-1600 feet) - many of them commanding magnificent views. The Festival walks range in length from 6.5km/4 miles up to 16km/ 10 miles.
Due to the sensitive nature of the local environment, some routes near or in the SSSI may be subject to change.
THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
FRIDAY 6th JUNE
The headquarters for the Walking Festival
will be in the Masonic Social Club (
Car Parking is available at the Kilngreen,
across the river from
13.30: Official Opening of the Festival by Mr David Stevenson. This will be held in The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm
Refreshments will be provided at the end of each walk, except Walk 3 & 4 which will finish in time for the Wine & Cheese evening.
The Walks
Walk 1: Becks Burn, Gaskell’s, Skipper’s Bridge, Jenny Noble’s Gill & Round House
(8km/5 miles, circular, low-level)
Start 14.00. Finish
Lovely wander around the W. & S. of
Langholm, crossing the Becks Burn,
EASY
Walk Leader: Liz Forsyth
Walk 2: Mid Hill, Calfield Rig
(10km/6 miles, circular, Max Ht. 326m)
Start 14.00. Finish
The central part of this walk follows a long ridge offering superb view in all directions. Track and some pathless open hillside.
STRENUOUS
Walk Leaders: Bob & Nancy McLure
Walk 3: Castle Hill, Potholm Hill, Langfauld
(9km/5.5 miles, circular, Max Ht. 310m)
Start 15.30. Finish
The ridge formed by Castle & Potholm hills provides excellent views of the Ewes & Esk valleys and beyond. Track and open hill.
MODERATE
Walk Leader: Charlie Graham
Walk 4: Whita Well, Monument, Castle Craigs, MacDiarmid Memorial, Birnie Braes
(6.5km/ 4 miles, circular, Max Ht. 355m)
Start 17.30. Finish
Initially a steep climb leading to Whita Hill, thereafter easier. Takes in the two important local monuments. Excellent views. Path and track.
MODERATE
Walk Leader: Gavin Graham
Friday Evening Entertainment
Wine & Cheese in the Masonic Social Club (MSC) commencing at 19.30. Admission £2.50 but included in the £6 walking fee if you are on Walks 3 or 4.
SATURDAY 7th JUNE
Walk 5: Ellson Fell,
(16km/10 miles, Linear, Max Ht. 537m)
Start 09.30. Bus from
A long ridge walk down the E. side of the Ewes valley. Some very steep climbs. Open hillside, occasional paths. Difficult under foot. Excellent views.
STRENUOUS+
Walk Leader: Mike Tinker
Walk 6: Langfauld, Bauchle Hill, Crumpton Hill, Lady Florance Stone, Wolfhope Burn, Ewes Hall
(14km/8.5 miles, Linear, Max Ht. 480m)
Start 10.00. Finish Ewes Hall approx. 15.30. Bring a packed lunch. Bus back to Langholm after refreshments.
Woodland walk up the Esk valley, followed by steep climbs to Crumpton Hill. Visit the Lady Florance Stone. Excellent views. Track and open hillside.
STRENUOUS
Walk Leader: Charlie Graham
(Whita, Castle Hill, Mid Hill, Meikleholm & Warb Law) (14.5km/9.5 miles, circular, Max Ht. 355m)
Start 10.30. Finish
A serious challenge. Numerous steep climbs. Similar route to the annual Five Hills Race. Excellent views all around Langholm. Tracks, paths, and open hillside.
STRENUOUS+
Walk Leader: Stuart Fletcher
Walk 8: Natural History Trail
(10km/5.5miles, circular, Max Ht. 355m)
Start 10.30. Finish
Bring a packed lunch.
This walk will explore the Flora & Fauna of the SSSI Moorland area. Track and path. Relatively easy pace. Led by local experts.
MODERATE
Walk Leader: Mac Hotson
Walk 9: Mid Hill, Craig Hill, Henwell, Langfauld
(13km/8 miles, circular, Max Ht. 326m)
Start 11.00. Finish
Bring a packed lunch.
Follows a ridge to the W. of the river Esk involving an initial steep climb. Second half fairly easy down the E. side of the Esk. Excellent views. Track and open hillside.
MODERATE/STRENUOUS
Walk Leader:Ming Beattie
Saturday Evening Entertainment
A buffet will be served in The Masonic Social Club (MSC) commencing 19.00 for walkers followed by an evening of informal, local entertainment. Cost £5 inclusive of buffet and entertainment.
SUNDAY 8th JUNE
Walk 10: Rowanburn and Canonbie Circular Walk
(14.5km/9.5 Miles, circular, Max. Ht. 119m)
Start 09.30 bus from
A long fairly easy walk through Rowanburn along the banks of the Liddel and Esk and returning via Canonbie and the Fairy Loup. Track, very quiet road and a little open ground.
EASY/MODERATE
Walk Leader: Ian Lindsay
Walk 11: Gaskell’s Walk, Warb Law, Old Peat Road, Middleholms, Easton’s Walk
(9 km/ 5.5 Miles, circular, Max Ht. 275m)
Start 09.30. Finish
No packed lunch required.
Follows the Wauchope Water through mature woodland, followed by a climb to Warb Law. Excellent views of Langholm. Some open hillside then return along the banks of the Esk. Track, path some rough ground on the hill.
MODERATE
Walk leader: Gavin Graham
(10km/6 miles, circular, Max Ht. 300m)
Start 10.00. Finish
No packed lunch required
An initial climb to Whita Well is followed by a walk along a line of a number of disused stone quarries on the slopes of Whita Hill, eventually arriving at Rashiel. Path, track, and short section of quiet road.
MODERATE
Walk Leaders: Bob & Nancy McLure
Walk 13: MacDiarmid Memorial, Terrona Hill, Tarras Rig, Middlemoss, Rashiel, Castle Craigs.
(14km/9 miles, circular, Max Ht. 340m)
Start 10.00. Finish
Explores the ridge to the E. of Langholm, followed by a walk down the Tarras valley. Returns via Castle Craigs. Track, path and open hillside.
STRENUOUS
Walk Leader: Mike Tinker
General Notes
Please do not take cars to the walk starts. Buses are provided where needed.
All walks will be led by experienced
leaders who will explain as much as possible about the history, wildlife etc of
the area as you walk. The aim is to enjoy the countryside so the pace will be
geared to this aim.
Please note that dogs are not allowed on the Festival Walks, as most of the walks cross livestock areas with both sheep and cattle. This is in line with the policy adopted by other walking festivals in livestock areas.
It is advisable to wear proper walking
boots at all times and be prepared for all types of weather. Waterproofs are
ESSENTIAL on
For charges, please see Booking Form. Refreshments as indicated are included in the costs of the walks.
Booking is essential to avoid disappointment as the walks are in high demand. A booking form may be obtained from:
The Langholm Initiative,
Ashley Bank House,
High Street
Phone 01387 380914 ~ email: walks@langholminitiative.co.uk
The Festival Walks are not designed for children except perhaps Walk 8, The Natural History Trail. Please note that any children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
A local accommodation leaflet can be
obtained from
The Langholm Initiative, Ashley Bank House,
Phone 01387 380914 ~ email: walks@langholminitiative.co.uk