Dumann three

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Dumann here.

Review of SlowWays route Dumann3 (Dumfries to Annan three).
I walked this route over two days in October 2024 with a companion who was creating the route as we went along. This route follows much of Dumann2 but departs from it at Powfoot to avoid a busy stretch of the B724. The route leaves Dumfries Railway Station and heads for the town centre before crossing over to the riverside. It then heads out of town via three areas of parkland: Dock Park, Castledykes Park and the grounds of the old Crichton Royal Hospital. After passing through Crichton Royal Farm, the route turns right and joins the B725 to head further south. This is a relatively unpleasant section as the traffic on the road, although light, travels very fast. However before too long the village of Glencaple (with a restaurant, coffee shop and toilets) is reached. From here the route takes the (quieter) road uphill out of the village, then zigzags along farm roads. There is a pleasant detour through fields and along a grassy ride before the village of Bankend is reached. There are then more farm roads (some busier than others) with good views across the countryside to the Solway. Brow Well is an interesting attraction along the way, as is the Henry Duncan Savings Banks Museum a little further on (Charge for entry. Please check opening hours). Geese and swans abound in the roadside fields. Eventually Queensberry Bay Leisure Site is reached, with more dining options and facilities. The route now goes along a quiet and scenic road to the pretty village of Powmill where it drops down onto the rocky beach which it follows eastwards to Newbie. This part of the walk feels remote and is a very welcome change from all the road walking so far. However it has two obstacles. One is a burn which crosses the beach and the second is a narrow stretch of beach which may be difficult to follow at very high tides. However if the section is attempted at suitable tide times, it should present few issues. Eventually it is possible to climb up to the public road (via large, concrete "steps"), just after a new development of luxury lodges. The route now meanders through the village of Newbie and follows the River Annan-side until it rejoins Dumann2. There is then a lovely walk through the merse, over a footbridge and along some quiet streets to reach Annan Station and the end of the route. This is a long route, mostly on roads, and therefore perhaps best split over two days. However the beach section is good (if a little challenging) and the refreshment stops very pleasant.

We did this walk over two days, breaking at Ruthwell, and using the local bus to get to and from Annan. Despite the rain, I quite enjoyed the walk out of Dumfries, along the tidal River Nith and through The Crichton’s manicured grounds. The road to Glencaple was busier than we’d have liked. Possibly we could have followed close to the river here, but it wasn’t clear and the tide was particularly high. The Nith Hotel at Glencaple provided a very nice rest stop, and there were also toilets at the quay.
The road heading inland was much quieter, and the field cut-through to Bankend was surprisingly nice – only sheep, and then a beautifully maintained grassy lane.
There was a long and rather tedious section of the B725, with mostly well-behaved cars, until near Ruthwell and Clarencefield. It was a pity not to be able to go via Caerlaverock Castle and the Wetland Centre which are worth a visit, but the Lochar Water estuary prevented this. However the views around were very nice despite the rain, and we saw many whooper swans and geese.
There was the interesting distraction of the Brow Well, with its Burns connection, on the approach to the lovely village of Ruthwell. I’d like to have visited the Savings Bank Museum (where the world’s first savings bank was started) but it was closed that week.
Our second day was a mix of sunshine and showers, with rainbows, so it was very pretty. The roads after Ruthwell were single track, and very quiet, with nice views and wildlife. The discouraging road-signs approaching the holiday camp could by ignored as they were aimed at cars – this is a designated cycle route and is walkable. There were various facilities along this lovely coastal section to Powfoot.
The two mile section along the beach was quite hard work, but a refreshing change from all the tarmac. There wasn’t much sand, it was mainly large pebbles and sea-worn bricks. It was really interesting and picturesque with views across the Solway Firth, but you would need to make sure the tide was not going to be at its highest, or you could get blocked. It was a couple of hours after a high spring tide when we did it, and it may be easier when the tide is further out, particularly the small river crossing at the middle, OS Grid Ref: 162652, where I got my feet wet, although my companion didn’t. There were several places where it looked on the map as if it was possible to leave the beach, but in practice they were private access to swanky houses or else old damaged steps. The gpx shows the acceptable route we used. (If you can manage the beach, you can manage the big steps and rocks here.)
Quiet lanes through Newbie and a lovely cycle track alongside the River Annan estuary brought us to the edge of Annan, then a footbridge (alongside the viaduct) and quiet streets brought us past some faded-glory buildings to the station and finishing point.
I’m tempted to give 4* but the amount of tarmac, and the tricky pebble beach section, as well as the length of the route make it 3* for me, but it was very picturesque and enjoyable.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.