Walk 19 - Kippford to Rockcliffe walking and hiking route
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Walk Instructions
Start: A public car park at Kippford Village Hall.
Refreshments: Pubs and café in Kippford
This walk packs a lot of interest into a short
distance. The section of coast between Kippford
and Rockcliffe is one of the most scenic in
the area with great views and many points
of interest along the route. This walk is very
popular on summer weekends.
1. Start from the public car park at Kippford Village
Hall. There is a collection box for donations by the door
of the hall. Kippford, on the estuary of the River Urr,
was originally known as Scaur and was an important
port in Victorian times. Today it is a popular holiday
destination and a centre for yachting on the Solway
Firth. Walk south along the shore road through the
village. At low tide the estuary is a good place to see
wading birds such as redshank and curlew. Stay on the
shore road as it becomes narrower and passes some
houses perched on the massive granite outcrops After
about half a mile you will reach the end of the road at
a small bay where there is a bench with a view across
to Rough Island.
2. At low tide it is possible to walk out on an old
causeway to Rough Island, but this should not be
attempted unless you have a good knowledge of the
local tides. Rough Island is also closed to visitors in May
and June due to breeding birds.
3. Retrace your steps back towards Rockcliffe for a
couple of hundred yards until you see a signpost for
the footpath to Rockcliffe pointing up between two
stone walls. This area of woodland is owned and
managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Follow
this path through mixed woodland until you reach
some houses on the shore on the edge of Rockcliffe.
Footpath signs will lead you down a little lane to
emerge at the end of Rockcliffe beach where there are
public toilets and usually an ice cream van.
4. Rockcliffe is a pretty village, wrapped around the bay
and sandy beach. Once you have enjoyed the views
and an ice cream, go back along the path towards
Kippford but stay right and cross a bridge over a
small stream then follow the well-marked path into
woodland. This area is sometimes grazed by a small
herd of highland cattle in the summer months. At a
path junction, take the left-hand path up a short but
steep climb to reach the Mote of Mark, the site of an
Iron Age hill fort.
5. The Mote of Mark was occupied around the 6th
century but destroyed by fire in the 7th century. It now
provides a magnificent viewpoint to survey the scene
across the estuary and over to the mountains of the
Lake District. Descend from the Mote of Mark back
to the path junction and turn left following the path
through woodlands until you come to a junction with
forest tracks and information boards.
6. The route back to Kippford now follows the “Jubilee
Path”. This was created in 1901 to celebrate the
diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria.
7. The path takes a high level traverse across the
National Trust lands with good views across through
the trees before emerging onto a surfaced road at
the top of Kippford village. This road leads back down
to the shore where you will find the café and two
waterfront pubs.
8. If you would like a longer walk back from Rockcliffe
to Kippford, there are waymarked trails through Forestry
Commission land around the slopes of Mark Hill.
It would be a great help to future walkers if
you could record any inaccuracies you come across
during this walk and report them to reception so that
appropriate amendments can be made. Thank you
for your help. Happy walking.
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Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.
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