Polmaddy Pack Road Show path on map

Start location: Polmaddy ( NX 592 878 )

End location: A713, bridge over Water of Deugh ( NX 568 929 )

Geographical area: Dumfries and Galloway

Path type: Pilgrimage Route, Trade Route

Path distance: 7.5km

Accessibility info: Suitable for pedestrians

Route Description

This old route leads through forests and open moorland with superb views to the Rhinns of Kells and Cairnsmore of Carsphairn.

Start from the Forestry & Land Scotland car park at NX592878, 600m west of the A713 just north of Kendoon. Follow the path north down to the bridge and cross the river. Turn left and follow the path to the mediaeval ‘ferm toun’ of Polmaddy, then follow the small path north uphill and into the forest. Continue on forest tracks generally northwest. After leaving the forestry at NX575900, the path heads along the side of Bardennoch Hill and then through a gate at NX564915 onto open hillside and down to Carnavel Farm. Care is needed initially to find the path from the gate towards the farm. From the farm, follow the farm road to join the A713 at Liggat Bridge, 1km from Carsphairn. 

Heritage Information

This old Pack Road is also part of a pilgrim’s route which ran from Strathclyde to Whithorn. The route was improved and waymarked by the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (2018-2023), and resurrected as the ‘Glenkens Pilgrims' Way’. It is hoped to extend the promoted route south from Polmaddy to Polharrow Bridge and the Southern Upland Way at St John’s Town of Dalry.