The route leaves Annan via Summergate Road and, after passing down a lane through fields, it heads east (between fields and the merse) along a grass-covered embankment. Just before the end of this embankment, the route heads east again (through workshops at “Seafield”) and along Seafield Road before dropping down onto the beach (the alternative way forward through fields being blocked by fences and hedges). The route leaves the village and follows the B721 (with very fast moving traffic and difficult verges) for around two kilometres until a crossroads on a road bend (take care)....

wellchoughed

From Whinnyrigg we soon discovered that it was necessary to walk on the beach (pebbles) itself, not through the field above, when we were blocked off by field boundaries. We were able to have a coffee and snack at the Devil’s Porridge Museum without paying the museum entrance fee, which was handy. We explored an escape from the fast road by turning south to Westhills, but were sent away by a property owner there, and had to continue on the fast road until Mountpleasant towards Browhouses....

Mary Oz

From here the route takes the (quieter) road uphill out of the village, then zigzags along farm roads. 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. The route now meanders through the village of Newbie and follows the River Annan-side until it rejoins Dumann2. This is a long route, mostly on roads, and therefore perhaps best split over two days....

wellchoughed

Possibly we could have followed close to the river here, but it wasn’t clear and the tide was particularly high. However the views around were very nice despite the rain, and we saw many whooper swans and geese. The roads after Ruthwell were single track, and very quiet, with nice views and wildlife. 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...

Mary Oz

To leave Dumfries you take the route via the riverside park and castle park before making your way out into the countryside....

Anna-Fleur Rawlinson

The first section of this route out of Annan is very easy to follow, with quiet lanes and joins a lovely footpath along the Merse beach....

Anna-Fleur Rawlinson

Unfortunately after that it requires you to walk along the B721 between Eastriggs and Rigg, which we found to be busy and not pleasant to walk along. After Rigg, it moves onto quieter country lanes that lead into Gretna....

Cressida P

You leave Dumfries via the riverside park and castle park before getting into country lanes....

Cressida P

The route out of Annan is easy to follow and quickly reaches quiet lanes before joining the lovely footpath along the Merse beach....

Sarah

We had no issues with cars on this road - visibility is good and the verges are ample. The final section along the B724 becomes busier as you approach Annan, but again, the verges are good and you can anticipate any cars a good distance away....

Sarah