Hiking the Annandale Way: 7 Things You Need to Know

The Annandale Way is a 56-mile (90km) walking/hiking route in Scotland. Beginning in the high hills above Moffat, the route navigates around the River Annan and all the way down to the Solway Estuary.

This spectacular walk is one of the very best in Scotland and can either be walked from north to south or vice versa. This guide will tell you what you need to know when hiking the Annandale Way, including the wonderful sights you’ll see, the many accommodations and transport facilities, plus much more. 

Hiking the Annandale Way

1. The Weather

In terms of the weather conditions when hiking the Annandale Way, it’s important to bear in mind that some sections of the walk (the circuit north of Moffat) involve notable altitude gain.

While you can usually expect the weather to be relatively decent, you should also be prepared for some thick cloud. This is likely to affect your visibility when you’re approaching Joe Graham’s monument, for example.

2. Difficulty Level

The Annandale Way makes for an idyllic, yet challenging, route for beginner, intermediate, and experienced hikers. Despite the altitude gain north of Moffat and a large climb near Lochmaben branch, the overall hike is generally quite pleasant.

However, less experienced hikers should be aware that some parts of the hike may be too long for them to tackle. The Moffat to Lochmaben route is 30km and Moffat to Lockerbie is a distance of 34 km. But for these sections of the hike, it’s easy to cover ground quickly by taking the bus. So you should be able to experience the trail without too much difficulty.

Some sections of the Annandale Way can be difficult and strenuous, so young children and people with mobility issues may not be able to cope with the entire route. Luckily, there are many parts of the hike that can be enjoyed by everyone!

3. Highlights to See

There are so many wonderful highlights to see on the Annandale Way. The following list will give you an idea of some of the unmissable sights along the way:

• The River Annan’s pristine water
• The views from Chalk Rig Edge out over Annandale
• The spectacular views from Joe Graham’s hillside monument
• The plentiful red sandstone buildings, churches and ruined castles along the hiking trail
• The wonderful views over the Solway Firth that provide hikers with sightings of wild birds and other fascinating wildlife

4. Accommodation Options

There are plenty of accommodation facilities when hiking the Annandale Way, whether you’re planning to stay in hotels, B&Bs, or inns. You’ll find suitable, affordable and comfortable accommodation in Moffat, Annan, and Lockerbie. 

It’s also legal to wild camp in Scotland, providing that you camp responsibly. This can be a great way to experience the natural beauty and incredible views that the Annandale Way has to offer.

5. Wildlife

The Annandale Way hike is abundant with spectacular species of wildlife. The Solway Firth is home to the world’s entire population of Svalbard Barnacle Geese, who visit the Solway between September and April every year.

Meanwhile, the Eskrigg Nature Reserve is better suited to those wishing to explore beautiful natural habitats, including abundant woodland, streams, ponds and plenty of grassland.

At Joe Graham’s Monument on the Annandale Way, hikers might catch a glimpse of the elusive deer, badgers, and foxes that scurry about in the Annan Valley below the monument’s vantage point.

6. Getting There

Whether you’re local to Scotland or not, there are plenty of ways to get to the Annandale Way’s hiking points.

Travel by road from Gretna on the A75, A74 or the M6, or jump on one of the frequent trains that run from Carlisle and Glasgow and stop at Annan, Gretna, and Dumfries.

There are also numerous bus services that can take you to the start of Annandale Way. Alternatively, you could even choose to cycle through villages and along rural routes to reach the starting point. 

7. Luggage Transfer

It’s also a good idea to note that there are numerous accommodation facilities that will offer you luggage transfer as standard when you’re hiking the Annandale Way.

You can organise luggage pick-ups and drop-offs at the train and bus stations in Lockerbie and Annan. It’s also possible to organise pick-ups and drop-offs at many points along the hiking route. Providing that you give your hotel or B&B a little bit of notice before you require your luggage transfer, you should be able to arrange this with no issues at all.

The Annandale Way is one of the greatest hiking routes in Scotland. With stunning views of the valleys below, opportunities to spot wildlife, plus the chance to immerse yourself in an abundance of nature, the Annandale Way is an excellent hike for everyone.

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Rebecca is a freelance translator who is passionate about her work and grateful for the travels it has taken her on. She has recently started writing about some of her experiences at RoughDraft.

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