Has anyone done or heard of the Annandale Way? We'd bought some maps for the Dumfries and Galloway area because the buses to here are more regular over the winter and we may do a few walks and wild camps here. We have already seen a bit of Langholm a few weeks ago. I spotted the Annandale Way on the Annan map. It goes from Moffat to the Solway south of Annan and it follows the River Annan. It is 55 miles long. I did a search on here and I can only see 2 forum members who have done it. The one trip report I could see has had its photos removed by the Photobucket scourge
I got the bus to Annan to check out a bit of the Annandale Way. It was sunny and warm but a bit claggy so I started in Annan and went north from there and missed out the Solway Firth bit.
On the Annandale Way
The information board near the B721
This isn't the start of the route, as I mentioned it starts at the coastline south of Annan or in Moffat if you are doing it north to south
The road bridge at Annan
A footbridge I would be using later on the return
Quite a few people asked me if I was doing the Annandale Way and I explained to everyone that I was just out for a day walk to see what the route was like. They were all very nice, friendly people.
A bridge near Blacketlees
I didn't cross it, I carried on the Annandale Way
Reflections in the river
Very pleasant walking
The lovely River Annan
The leaves are changing
Close up of the autumn leaves
Looking back at the path
I stopped and had some lunch and a brew listening to the sound of the river. On the way again two volunteer rangers said hello and also asked if I was walking the Annandale Way. They were checking the waymarkers were ok. I told them they were ok because I'd not had to get my map out! One of them asked me if I had the new guidebook and told me to get that if I wanted to do anymore of the route as it had changed since the map was published. It had been diverted from a road at some point he had said, can't remember where. He said the route was a fantastic route and he wished more people knew about it. He mentioned "Rucksack Readers" and to have a look online. Nice blokes and very enthusiastic about the route, they made me want to explore more of it.
Looking across the river from the opposite bank
At Brydekirk I crossed the bridge and turned right onto the "core path" back to Annan. The path on this side was more muddy and uneven and I slid a few times. There were better views and it was prettier on the other side on the Annandale Way.
More autumnal colours
It will be even better in a few weeks
A heron near the footbridge
It flew off as soon as I took the photo. I saw the two volunteer rangers sitting on a bench near Annan. We chatted again about the Annandale Way and I said I would be back with Beefy in tow to do more of it. This walk from today is nice enough to do as a day walk. My route was Annan bus station - Annandale Way (northbound) - Brydekirk - footpath on the other side of the river - Annan bus station. 11km, not much ascent.
Back home I had a look for the guide book the volunteer ranger had mentioned on Rucksack Readers website. I saw the guidebook along with a picture of the author Roger Turnbull. He looked very like one of the volunteer rangers I'd met
His enthusiasm for the route was very infectious, I may not buy the guidebook but a return visit to see more of the Annandale Way is on the cards. I did 3 miles of the Annandale Way and the bit I did was a very nice riverside walk. I was told by the rangers it was a route with a lot of variety, with no boring bits. Moffat and the surrounding area looks very nice too, we plan to go walking in the hills there too. For any of you day walkers or long distance walkers you might want to have a look. If anyone has done the whole route, is it one you enjoyed all the way?
More info about the walk here:
http://annandaleway.org/Here is a link to the new guidebook with updated information. I genuinely believe the author/volunteer ranger was not touting for business for his book but wanted people to know about the walk and promote the area to others.
http://www.rucsacs.com/books/Annandale-Way/For people using buses/public transport here is a link to the bus services.
http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/timetables