The south-west of Scotland is an often overlooked location for walking, but for those in the know, this area offers unbeatable opportunities from gentle forest routes to climbs on higher peaks.
Galloway Forest Park is awash in history too and the landscape has provided a safe haven for people seeking refuge for centuries. Even the hills have their tales to tell, with intriguing names such as The Merrick (in the Range of the Awful Hand), Rig of Jarkness, Dungeon Hills and the Rhins of Kells.
The high level version of this route provides amazing panoramic views of mountains, hills, ridges, lochs, burns and waterfalls as you walk through the heart of Galloway Forest Park.
The high level option involves a simple climb up Buchan Hill. It's smaller than its loftier neighbours but still a mountain at 1,617ft and provides superb views from its summit.
Turn off the A714 at Bargrennan and follow signs for Glentrool village. After the village take the right fork in the road and follow this along past Stroan Bridge, Stroan House and Glen Trool Lodge to a car park at the end of Loch Trool. Close to the car park you'll find Bruce's Stone - a monument erected to commerate Robert the Bruce's success in the Scottish Wars of Independence at the Battle of Trool in 1307.
From the car park, the simple route follows a path which runs north-east between Buchan Hill and the Rig of Jarkness and alongside Loch Valley all the way to Loch Neldricken.
For the return there are two options. For a more gentle option return to the car park via the outward route/path. For a walk that's a bit more challenging however, return by the path until just beyond Loch Valley, then strike south-west up the steep slopes of Buchan Hill to its summit at around 490 metres.
The reward for this extra effort is dramatic views all around on a clear day. To the east is the Rig of Jarkness and a host of lochs around its base. In the north you'll look towards The Merrick (the highest hill in this part of the world) and there are lovely views over Loch Trool and the Southern Upland Way to the south-west.
Re-gain the outward path by descending steeply south at first and then south-east and then continue along the path to return to the car park.
Before or after your walk, stop off at Glen Trool Visitor Centre at Stroan Bridge for refreshments. It's open daily from Easter to the end of October, from 10.30am until 5.30pm. You can use toilet facilities there and at the larger car park near Bruce's Stone.
