The Scottish walker’s paradise crowned the best winter hike for both mind and body
- UK Hidden Gems
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Winter can be a tough season for many people, with cold and wet days mixed with the busy rush of the festive period.
Because of this, the Daily Record has picked a beautiful spot that was once named one of Scotland’s top winter walks for mind and body as its latest Walk of the Week.
Cairnsmore of Fleet is a quiet mountain in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, close to the Dumfries and Galloway town of Newton Stewart.
NatureScot previously listed it as one of the best winter walks in the country for rest and relaxation.
The circular walk is three kilometres long and starts and finishes at the visitor centre in Dromore. Most of the route follows a good path, with some grassy sections, steps and a raised boardwalk.
Walkers are treated to wide views across beautiful countryside and may even spot rare birds along the way.
Red and black grouse live here, along with merlins, hen harriers and peregrine falcons.
The standout feature of the walk is the impressive Big Water of Fleet Viaduct, which rises 36 feet above the ground.
This historic viaduct has 20 arches and was once part of the old Portpatrick Railway line.
NatureScot said: "Cairnsmore is one of the wildest places in south west Scotland and a true paradise for walkers, offering far reaching views and the chance to watch birds of prey soaring overhead."
They added: "The low level In Bye trail begins and ends at the Dromore visitor centre and runs beneath the dramatic rocky cliffs known as the Clints of Dromore.
The path is mostly easy to follow, with grass sections, steps and a boardwalk."
After completing the walk, visitors can head into nearby Newton Stewart for a warm meal. The Crown Hotel in the town has a recently updated bar and restaurant serving a range of tasty dishes.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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