GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Big Water of Fleet Viaduct Walk

2.5 miles (4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk visits the Big Water of Fleet Viaduct in Dumfries.
The viaduct is located to the north of Gatehouse of Fleet on the Big Water Of Fleet. The river is a tributary of the Water of Fleet which flows into Fleet Bay on the Solway Firth. The viaduct is something of a local historical landmark having once been a part of the Portpatrick Railway route which closed in 1965 as part of the Beeching cuts. It is 900-feet high with 20 arches and was built in the 19th century.
You can park at the Cairnsmore of Fleet visitor centre car park to the south of the viaduct. Then follow a trail north east with fine views of the viaduct as you go. You can climb to the top and enjoy some fabulous views over the surrounding hills and countryside.
The route then heads south west along the trackbed of the Portpatrick Railway, skirting the edge of a section of the Galloway Forest Park on the way.
You can extend the walk by exploring the wild landscape of the Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve. There's miles of trails here with fabulous scenery, sculpture trails and birds of prey to look out for.

Postcode

DG7 2BP - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Big Water of Fleet Viaduct OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Big Water of Fleet Viaduct Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

If you continue north along the shared cycling and walking trail it will take you through woodland to Loch Grannoch.
In nearby Glenluce you can pick up the Portpatrick Railway Walk along a section of the old Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway. The railway has an interesting history and there's also a visit to the impressive Luce Viaduct on the walk.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Cairnsmore of Fleet Visitor Centre - geograph.org.uk - 3916884

Cairnsmore of Fleet Visitor Centre

The track to the viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 2500199

The track to the viaduct

Big Water of Fleet Burn - geograph.org.uk - 4497486

Big Water of Fleet Burn

On the top of the Big Water of Fleet viaduct, looking west - geograph.org.uk - 1905256

On the top of the Big Water of Fleet viaduct, looking west

Picnic Area at Big Water of Fleet Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 4496876

Picnic Area

Bridge over the Russon Burn - geograph.org.uk - 1902981

Bridge over the Russon Burn

Old Railway Track Bed - geograph.org.uk - 3426657

Old Railway Track Bed

The view from a plateau - geograph.org.uk - 1902956

The view from a plateau

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Big Water of Fleet Viaduct.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)