Lochaber Walk

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About Lochaber Walk

This walk heads towards Lochaber Loch, passing through Mabie Nature Reserve. There is a variety of wildlife along the way. There are also incredible views from Craigbill Hill looking out towards Criffel and the Solway estuary.

As an extra, a hide on the edge of Lochaber Loch provides an opportunity to view birds such as Mute Swan and Great Crested Grebe. In the summer you may be lucky to witness Ospreys fishing in the loch.

Please note that the hide is not on the walk.

Directions to the hide: at a junction of forest roads, where the Lochaber walk turns left (NX 926705), keep straight on down the hill. Turn left at the next road junction, and after passing along the edge of the loch take a right turn at the next junction. After about 100m, turn right down a grassy track. The hide is at the end of this.

How to get there:

Lochaber Walk can be started from Mabie Forest Car Park in Mabie Forest which is part of Forests of the Solway Coast. Dumfries and New Abbey are the nearest towns or villages.

From Dumfries, follow the A710 New Abbey road. The forest is signposted four miles south of Dumfries.

Please note that 'Mabie Farm Park' is signposted just before the entrance to the forest, but there is no vehicle access to the forest from here.

The nearest train station is in Dumfries.

OS Grid Reference: NX9371
For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com

Wildlife

Mammals: Mabie Forest is home to many kinds of mammal, including red squirrels, badgers, roe deer, foxes and bats. We have information about Red squirrel, Roe deer and Badger

Birds: The area upon which you look from the viewpoint above Dalshinnie Loch is being actively managed for nightjars, with open areas being created amongst the scrubby birch trees. Occasionally, ospreys are seen fishing at Lochaber Loch in the summer months, and throughout the year ravens and buzzards can be seen soaring in the sky. We have information about Nightjar and Osprey

Insects and reptiles: Mabie Forest is home to many species of butterfly and moth. The scarce pearl-bordered fritillary is being encouraged with sympathetic habitat management along the forest road edges. Pick a sunny, still summer's day if you want to look for butterflies and other insects. Dead trees are left standing in the forest to provide a home for insects and their larvae, which in turn provide food for woodpeckers and bats. We have information about Pearl-bordered fritillary

Habitats: The Lochaber walk passes through many types of habitat. The aquatic conditions in and around the lochs provide ideal opportunities for dragonflies and toads, whereas the old oak woods offer a cool, shady environment for woodland plants such as ferns and mosses.