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Grey Mare’s Tail

Walks

From a short stroll to a more challenging day in the hills, Grey Mare’s Tail has much to offer visitors.

The waterfall viewpoint is an easy 5 minute walk from the car park. Here you can relax on one of the wooden benches and just enjoy the sheer power and beauty of nature. Another low-level walk on the west side of the Tail Burn will get you closer to the thunderous roar of the falls.

If you really want to stretch your legs, the steep path to the right-hand side of the gorge offers excellent views of the waterfall and the Moffat Water Valley. The path is uphill at the start, but your efforts are rewarded again and again as the mountainous landscape unfolds. It takes about an hour to reach the glistening blue loch of Loch Skeen, the highest large upland natural loch in the Southern Uplands.

For the more adventurous, an expedition over the hilltops of Lochcraig Head and White Coomb will take about 5–6 hours. White Coomb is a Corbett (hills over 2,500ft/726m, but smaller than a Munro) and the highest hill in Dumfriesshire at 821m, with far-reaching views to the Lake District’s northern fells and the Cheviots in Northumberland.

Walking in Scotland

Green mountains are reflected in the mirror-like waters of a loch. A line of stones goes out into the water. The sky is clear and pale blue.

Walk to Loch Skeen

Enjoy a steep hike past the waterfall to the glistening blue loch of Loch Skeen, the highest large upland natural loch in the Southern Uplands.

Walk details

  • Difficulty

    Difficult

  • Time

    2 hours (there and back)

  • Distance

    3 miles (5km)

  • Ascent

    990ft (302m)

  • Start

    Grey Mare’s Tail car park

  • Finish

    Grey Mare’s Tail car park

Facilities

Car park

There is a £5 per day parking fee, which directly supports our work on the reserve. 

Parking is free for members.

Dog-friendly

Dogs are welcome but we ask that they are kept on a lead at all times to avoid disturbing the wild goats and grazing sheep.

  1. Step 1
    (1/7)

    Begin at the Grey Mare’s Tail car park and follow the main path out of the top of the car park, on the west side of the burn.

  2. Step 2
    (2/7)

    When the path forks, turn right, soon crossing a footbridge to reach an old sheepfold (a good place for a snack to fuel your walk!).

  3. Step 3
    (3/7)

    The path then swings to the left and climbs steeply, parallel with the Tail Burn. 

    Pause after around 500m and look to your left for lovely views of the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall, dropping 60m down the hillside. 

    Continue to climb up the path. Feral goats and grazing sheep roam in this area, so keep an eye out for those.

  4. Step 4
    (4/7)

    Ignore the path that heads up to White Coomb across the Tail Burn, and stay to the right, soon passing the outline of an old shieling/farmhouse.

  5. Step 5
    (5/7)

    Eventually, after nearly 1¼ miles of steady climbing, you will see another path across the burn – ignore this one too! 

    Our path continues to hug the east side of the burn as it passes over bumpy moorland.

  6. Step 6
    (6/7)

    As you round the final corner, Loch Skeen suddenly appears right before you – a tremendous reward for your efforts. The sparkling waters reflect the surrounding mountains of White Coomb and Lochcraig Head. 

    This is a lovely easy stretch to rest your legs.

  7. Step 7
    (7/7)

    The path runs along the east shore of the loch for a little way, where there are plenty of places to take a well-earned break and enjoy the views.

    To return to the car park, simply retrace your steps down the main path, this time enjoying the magnificent views of the Moffat Water Valley that open out before you.

Expand image 1: A wooden bench stands between two drystone sections of wall, with interpretation panels mounted on top of them. Green hills rise behind, and a wooden footbridge spans a burn. Expand image 2: A large group of people, all in hiking gear, stand in a semi-circle on a hillside, looking at a man within a ruined stone structure who is speaking to them. Expand image 3: Walkers crossing moorland on a sunny day. Expand image 4: A stone cairn stands on a hillside, as the setting sun casts shadow across the ground. Tall mountains are in the background. Expand image 5: A mountain plateau covered in a thin layer of snow. A pale blue sky is above the summit.
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