Walking and Hiking Routes | Drumlanrig Castle

Walking & Hiking

You’ll find walks to keep your whole family happy in the grounds at Drumlanrig Castle in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. Sadly, many of our way-marked walks were damaged by Storm Arwen but the forestry teams are working hard at re-instating them and in the meantime they have created a brand new walk!

In addition to the way-marked woodland walks, there are miles of estate roads with beautiful scenery like views of the River Nith. You will discover a variety of habitats and features that make Drumlanrig so unique. See if you can spot one of our red squirrels while you’re enjoying the outdoor life.

Arwen's Trail

A new addition to our way-marked walks emerging in the wake of 2021 Storm Arwen. This strenuous uphill hike peaks at Mount Malloch viewpoint with views over the Estate and Castle. On the climb and descent, enjoy historic Victorian footpaths, some wonderful trees including a Giant Sequoia and the first Douglas firs in Scotland. The walk also passes Andy Goldsworthy’s ‘Leaping Arches’.

Path Diversions/Closures/Updates

Please keep up-to-date with future diversions/closures below:
11.04.2022 – Please note there will be a diversion on Arwen’s Trail from 12 – 21 April while essential bridge maintenance work is completed. Please follow the diversion signs which will be in place. Thank you. Work continues on the remaining paths and trails. Thank you for your patience
3.03.2022 – New Walk
We hope you enjoy our new walk – Arwen’s Trail. Please stick to please stick to the waymarked path as we continue working on the remaining walks and trails. Unauthorised entry to other areas will result in delays.
20.01.2022 Update
We would like to thank everyone for their patience as the Estate continues to work on the aftermath of Storm Arwen.
We do hope to have some positive news in the next few weeks or so but in the meantime please note that the woodland walks and trails remain CLOSED.
There are, however, lots of other lovely walks around the Estate which avoid the woodlands. We would thoroughly recommend walking the way-marked cycle route 1. The Riverside – a 3km circular route, popular for staff at lunch time! (you can find it here: https://bit.ly/3rBIQM4)
Thank you again for your patience.

Dogs at Drumlanrig

Bringing your Dog

Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead or under close control at all times. Remember it is important to keep them on the paths as dogs running loose can cause considerable disturbance to wildlife and farm animals. Please follow the code:

Never let your dog worry or attack farm animals.
Don’t take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young farm animals.
If you need to go into a field of farm animals, keep your dog(s) on a short lead or under close control and keep as far away as possible from the animals.
If cattle react aggressively and move towards you, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field.

For more information visit the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time.