Two walks at Loch Trool -  the first is a realtively easy one along the 7 stanes mountain bike trail to Loch Dee. The second is a bit more challenging and goes all the way round Loch Trool.

Both walks start from the same car park as the Merrick and it is worth taking a small detour to see Bruce`s Stone from which there is a good view of the loch.

The stone commemorates the Battle of Glentrool in 1307 when Robert the Bruce with an army of 300 Scots defeated an English Army of 1500 men by rolling boulders down the hill then using archers to complete the victory.

There is a beatifully situated Visitor Centre a couple of miles before the car park which is open 10.30 to 16.30 and provides maps and leaflets etc plus teas.coffee etc along with home baking.

The Visitor Centre has a lovely picnic area beside a waterfall and bridge and provides and excellent place to relax and soak in the scenery either before or after your walk.   

Loch Trool to Loch Dee

From the car park at the start of the Merrick climb, follow the 7 Stanes sign along a forest road which takes you through an attractive wooded area, somewhat unusually,oak instead of the normal conifer. The route is well signposted and descends quite steeply at first but then climbs gradually after that most of the rest of the way which makes for an easy return walk.

The trail follows the vallley of the Glenhead Burn deep into the Galloway Forest Park, often echoing with the call of cuckoos and  provides great views of nearby hills with unusual names such as Mulldonoch, Lamachan Hill and Rigg of the Jarkness.

Around the highest point of the trail, look out on your left for one of the "7 Stanes" a 1.5 ton sculpture resembling a neolitihic axe head complete with runic text. From here there are lovely views of Loch Dee with it`s sandy shores.

Follow the trail for as long as you want but remember you need to go back the same way. It is possible to access the loch at several points

Loch Dee is the source of the River Dee which flows through Clatteringshaws Loch and Loch Ken before entering the Solway Firth near Kirkcudbright.

To return to the carpark, retrace your steps and enjoy the glimpes of Loch Tool as you descend the trail. The return walk to the west end of Loch Dee takes about 2 hours 30 minutes

Round Loch Trool

From the car park set off to the right along a tarmac track used as a cycle path. The path crosses an old brige across the Buchan Burn, after which fork left (signposted Gairland Burn) and cross the wodden bridge over Gairland burn,

After about 0.5km a footpath branches right leading to a further sign post where you turn rt. and cross another wooden footbridge from where you go straight on uphill on the Southern Upland Way.

Follow the path swinging right and traverse the steep hillside and pass a plaque commemorating the Battle of Glen Trool. After about 2km the path enters a meadow where you turn left onto a cinder track and cross a concrete bridge.

At the next junction turn right and rt. again after about 100m to cross two bridges bringing you to a small carpark where the former Caldons Camp site was.

From here the signposted Loch Trool Forest Trail goes through a cleared area before entering the trees. About 50m after the trees start the trail bears left and a small path ascends gradually away from the loch to the road  where you turn right back to the car park.

Time - about 2 1/2 hours

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