The Eighth Langholm Walking Festival: 5th - 7th June 2009
The eighth Langholm Walking Festival will be held over the weekend of 5th - 7th June 2009. On each day there is a selection of guided walks which will explore the beautiful countryside around Langholm. Evening entertainment will be available on Friday and 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 using the contact button above.
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 9km/5.5 miles up to 15km/ 9.5 miles. Due to the sensitive nature of the local environment, some routes near or in the SSSI may be subject to change.
A booking form may be printed off from this site: Click here for a booking form
THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
FRIDAY 5th JUNE
The headquarters for the Walking Festival will be in the Masonic Social Club (MSC) in Mary St. All festival walks will start from the MSC. Car Parking is available at the Kilngreen, across the river from Mary Street, or at The Buccleuch Centre.
13.30: Official Opening of the Festival by Cllr. Ian Lindsay.
This will be held in the Masonic Social Club. Refreshments will be provided at the end of each walk, except Walk 3 & 4 which will finish in time for the Wine & Cheese evening.
1. Flora Walk (Approx. 8km/5 miles, circular)
Start 14.00. Finish MSC approx 17.00
This walk will explore the flora of the surrounds of Langholm. Easy pace. Mostly path & track. Short section of tarmac.
EASY/MODERATE
Walk Leaders: Harry Kay & Mike Tinker
2. Gaskell's Walk, Warb Law, Stubholm Hill, Middleholms (9km/5.5 miles, circular, Max Ht. 275m)
Start 14.00. Finish MSC approx. 17.00
Follows the Wauchope Water through mature woodland with a moderately steep climb to Warb Law. Excellent views. Returns along the banks of the Esk. Track, path, some open rough ground.
MODERATE
Walk Leaders: Gillian Rae & Ming Beattie
3. Tour of Langholm (10km/6 miles, circular, Max Ht. 130m)
Start 16.30. Finish MSC approx 19.30 in time for the Wine & Cheese Evening.
Takes in four of Langholm's Bridges, Langholm Castle and the Round House. Historical perspective from the Walk Leader, Kenneth Pool
EASY
4. Meikleholm, Roman Road, Potholm, Langfauld (9km/5.5 miles, circular, Max Ht. 200m)
Start 16.30. Finish MSC approx. 19.30 in time for the Wine & Cheese Evening.
Moderate climb to Meikleholm Hill is followed by an easier walk on track and road following the Esk back in to Langholm
EASY/MODERATE
Walk Leader: Gavin Graham
SATURDAY 6th JUNE
5. Standingstone Height, Guttery Gairs, Boykenhopehead, Calkin, Johnstone Mem.(13.5km/8.5 miles, Circular, Max Ht. 356m)
Start 09.30. Bus from MSC. Finish Bentpath Hall approx 15.00. Bring a packed lunch. Bus back to Langholm after refreshments.
An excellent new walk with good views along the Esk and Boyken valleys. Forestry track, open hillside, rough and wet at times.
STRENUOUS
Walk Leader: Charlie Graham
6. Westerhall, The Rigg, Mellion Muir, Wolfhope Head, Great Hill, Fell Hill (14.5km/9 miles, Circular, Max Ht. 447m)
Start 09.30. Bus from MSC. Finish Bentpath Hall approx 15.00. Bring a packed lunch. Bus back to Langholm after refreshments.
A gentle walk up the Rigg valley followed by a stiff climb and then a long ridge walk. Excellent views. Track and open hillside, frequently rough.
STRENUOUS
Walk Leader: Mike Tinker
7. Wildlife Walk (10km/6 miles, circular, Max Ht. 355m)
Start 10.30. Finish MSC approx. 15.00. Bring a packed lunch.
This walk will explore the wildlife of the SSSI moorland area. Track and path. Relatively easy pace. Led by local expert.
MODERATE
Walk Leader: Mac Hotson
8. Target Burn, MacDiarmid Memorial, Castle Craigs, Rashiel, Broomholmshiels (12.5km/8miles, circular, Max Ht. 300m)
Start 10.30. Finish MSC approx. 15.00. Bring a packed lunch.
After following the Ewes valley, this walk climbs steeply to the MacDiarmid Memorial and Castle Craigs. Returning to Langholm around Whita Hill. Track, path, some rough hillside.
MODERATE
Walk Leader: Gavin Graham
9. Lower Tarras Valley (12.5km/8 miles, circular, Max Ht. 151m)
Start 10.30. Finish MSC approx 15.00 Bring a packed lunch.
Lovely walk through deciduous woodland along the sides of the Tarras valley from Tarrasfoot Bridge to Cronksbank Bridge returning via Broomholmshiels and the Round House. Track, short sections of quiet tarmac. Can be wet in parts.
EASY/MODERATE
Walk Leaders:Nancy & Bob McLure
SUNDAY 7th JUNE
10.Canonbie Circular Walk (15km/9.5 Miles, circular, Max. Ht. 119m)
Start 09.30 bus from MSC to Gilnockie Hall. Finish approx 15.00 at the hall. Bring a packed lunch. Return to Langholm by bus after refreshments.
A long fairly easy walk through Rowanburn, Canonbie and along the banks of the Liddel and Esk. Mostly very quiet tarmac, track, and a little open ground.
EASY/MODERATE
Walk Leader: Ian Lindsay
11. Birnie Braes, MacDiarmid Memorial, Monument, Whita Well, Broomholmshiels & Round House (10.5 km/ 6.5 Miles, circular, Max Ht. 355m)
Start 10.00. Finish MSC approx. 13.00 No packed lunch required.
A steep climb to the Monument but more gentle slopes thereafter. Track, path, some open hillside. Excellent views in all directions.
MODERATE
Walk leader: Gavin Graham
12. Becks, Glencorf Burn, Fingland Knowe, Clagberry Hill, Mid Hill (14km/8.5 miles, circular, Max Ht. 382m)
Start 10.30. Finish MSC approx. 15.00 Bring a packed lunch.
A long climb to Fingland Knowe and the wind turbines. Lovely ridge walk back. Mostly open hillside, wet at times. Excellent views.
STRENUOUS
Walk Leader: Charlie Graham
13. Another chance to try the challenge of Langholm's Five Hills (14.5km/9 miles, circular, Max Ht. 355m)
Start 10.30. Finish MSC approx 15.30-16.00 Bring a packed lunch.
Numerous steep climbs:Whita, Castle Hill, Mid Hill, Meikleholm and Warb Law. Similar route to the annual Five-hills Race. Track, paths, open hillside.
STRENUOUS+
Walk Leader: Stuart Fletcher
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 ALL walks.
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. Booking forms may be obtained from the Langholm Initiative, Buccleuch Mill, Glenesk Road, Langholm DG13 0ES Phone 01387 380914: email: walks@langholminitiative.co.uk or
a booking form may be printed off from this site: Click here for a booking form
Fees payable to 'Langholm Walks Group'.
The Festival Walks are not designed for children except perhaps Walk 7, The Wildlife Walk. 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, Buccleuch Mill, Glenesk Road, Langholm DG13 0ES Phone 01387 380914 email: walks@langholminitiative.co.uk