Barr Trails

Barr Trails cater for all ages and abilities, from a gentle ambling woodland stroll to more adventurous hikers or mountain bikers linking up with the Galloway Forest. There are many hills of interest to hill-walkers within easy reach of the village, with forestry tracks of varying ease and difficulty for mountain bikers. Nearly 20 miles (32 km) of paths criss-cross the rolling countryside through forest, along riversides and across open hills. The trails cross land belonging to other individuals and the community as well as Forestry and Land Scotland.

Information about each trail can be found below and is also available to download in a leaflet with route map here.

Fairy Knowe Trail:

Managed and Maintained by Forestry and Land Scotland
Colour: Blue
Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.7km
Time: Allow 2.5 hours
Terrain: Strenuous

Description: Fairy Knowe Trail at Barr 6km – Downhill from the car park the walk follows the Water of Gregg past Changue House to a point where the track forks sharp right and ascends to the forest. Continuing through the trees for 500yds the route bears left along a woodland trail. From this elevated route overlooking the Gregg Valley occasional views are glimpsed through the trees over the Changue Forest to the hills beyond. Once clear of the trees and on to the open hill an impressive vista opens up to the east.

Haggis Hill, Rowantree Hill and Pinbreck Hill form an impressive backdrop and beyond the Nick of the Balloch, an exciting hill pass on the road from Crosshill and Barr, which meets the Straiton road at the Rowantree Toll. Descending to a wooden footbridge the burn is crossed at an attractive waterfall and the way continues down along a narrow ridge to the valley below. Care should be taken when negotiating this ridge, as the path is steep and often slippery.

Traversing the burn you reach a delightful spot called the Fairy Knowe where it is worth pausing for a minute and looking back up the gully to where the burn rushes down a spectacular cleft in the hills. At this point you have the option, either to walk back down the Gregg Valley to the start or if you feel energetic you can turn right and continue along the Devil’s Trail to make a longer yet rewarding excursion.

Dinmurchie Trail:

Managed by the community
Colour: Green
Distance: 3.1 miles / 5km
Time: Allow 3 hours
Terrain: Moderate
Description: This walk can be started from the village or from the car park. Follow the green sign with the white arrow.

When you leave the village, walk straight past the school and follow this road towards the car park. The road goes along past the farm, past the bottom car park and through the gate. Dogs at this point should be on a lead. The road splits but follows the sign and bears right up the hill. At the top of the hill, there is a stile sign posted, so carry straight on.

You are also on the Fairy Knowe route. About 1 mile up the hill you will come to the split for Fairy Knowe and Dinmurtrie. Carry straight on up the hill.

At the top, the forest begins to thin out and there is a sign for you to turn right. This road carries on and you pass a quarry on your left hand side. At the end of the road there is a deer gate. Go through the gate and turn right to head down the hill towards the village. As you head down, the village will come into view.

Proceed over a stile and down to another deer gate. At that point, your dog will need to go back on their lead. Go down the hill and through a kissing gate where you will turn left. In front of you is the farm the trail is named after.

Over a couple of stiles, turn left and you’re back in the village. Go over the second bridge where, if your car is in the car park, you will turn right and head back.

Devil’s Foot Print Trail:

Managed by the community
Colour: Purple
Distance: 4 miles / 6.5km
Time: Allow 3.5 hours
Terrain: Moderate

Description: Devil’s Trail at Barr 6.5km – The first part of the walk follows the Water of Gregg for two kilometres before branching off and climbing steadily through the woods along an attractive grass path. Near the highest point beautiful views open up across the Stinchar Valley to the hills beyond. The walk leads steeply down a gully and across Changue Burn. In spring and summer numerous wild flowers such as primroses and bluebells can be seen in this area. The edge of the burn is planted with small-leaved lime.

Legend has it that near High Changue, there is the site of a famous battle between the Laird of Changue and the Devil. The story goes that Changue was getting short of money and he decided to make a bargain with the Devil. He would sell his soul in return for great wealth. The Laird’s fortunes changed and he prospered for many years. When the time came to deliver his soul the Laird reneged on his bargain and refused to go. The Devil proceeded to lay hold of him, but Changue placing his Bible on the turf and drawing a circle with his sword around him, sturdily and, as it turned out, successfully defied his opponent. The story must be true because to this day on the hill above High Changue you can still see the Devil’s footprints, the circle drawn by the sword and the mark of the Bible clearly visible on the grass.

As you descend westwards, the walk back is a delight with glorious views across the valley to forest and hills beyond.

Kirstie’s Cairn Trail:

Managed by the community
Colour: Red
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2km
Time: Allow 3.5 hours
Terrain: Easy

Description: Kirstie’s Trail at Barr 7.2km – No climbing is required in this, the easiest of the Barr routes. The trail follows the delightful Water of Gregg up the valley to the Howe of Laggan, passing through mature woodland as far as Kirstie’s Cairn.

Christopher McTaggart (Kirstie to his friends and family) a nineteen year old shepherd lad set out on January 11th 1913 in a raging blizzard to care for his sheep. Later that day he was found dying by his twin brother David and two friends. Their efforts to restore heat to his frozen body were in vain. He died fifteen minutes later. With such weather they were unable to carry his body back. Kirstie’s faithful dog “Wag” refused to leave his master. The following day between twenty and thirty men set out for the Howe of Laggan to bring back the body of their friend. At Kirstie’s funeral the Reverend John Angus charged the young men of the village to raise a memorial to the young shepherd and this they did by building a cairn a few yards from the spot where he died.

Returning walkers should look out for roe deer and amongst our feathered friends long-tailed tits, jays, siskins and bullfinches.

Changue Trail:

Managed by the community
Colour: Yellow
Distance: 8 miles / 13km
Time: Allow 4 hours
Terrain: Easy to Moderate

Description: Changue Forest Trail at Barr 13km – Of all the routes at Barr, this is the most strenuous due to its length. Although designated a cycle route those wishing to walk will also find it worthwhile.

Continuing up the Howe of Laggan there are excellent views over the Polmaddie Hill Group, which rises to over 1800 feet. This is an area which is still predominantly sheep country, where sheep paths and folds are evident. The route takes you through the heart of Changue, now a commercial forest in its many stages of development. The main species which can be seen are Sitka Spruce, Norway Spruce and Larch with some broadleaf trees including oak, ash and birch.

Looking northeast you can see that well-known Galloway mountain pass called “Nick of the Balloch”. In olden times this was famous as a smuggling route. Men with pack horses would follow the perilous path and at the summit drink from the “brandy well”, a spring which still flows with clear crystal water. The word “Changue” of Gaelic origin means the large rounded hill-shoulder of the nigh impenetrable inner row of storm-swept mountains. A lengthy meaning perhaps but one which accurately describes this area, especially during winter. This is a notable excursion taking in the full aspect of the forest with its many magnificent views.