Loch Doon Walk: How To See 3 Beauty Spots In One Day

This Loch Doon walk from Dalmellington certainly isn’t the shortest, yet it is the best walking route if you want to see three of the most scenic places in Ayrshire all in one day. Follow a farm road to a picturesque waterfall, cut across a hill to one of the prettiest glens in Southern Scotland and finish at a beautiful freshwater loch. Starting in Dalmellington, combine Dalcairney Falls, Ness Glen and Loch Doon into one Ayrshire walk and off-the-beaten-track experience you won’t forget.

In this Loch Doon Walking Guide, I will share some basic information, directions to the trailhead, how to get to the loch, where to stay, and some helpful tips to make planning your walk as easy and stress-free as possible.

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Loch Doon Walk Basics

• Walk Distance: This linear walk from Dalmellington to Loch Doon via Dalcairney Falls and Ness Glen is 5.5 miles (8.9 km). There are many alternative routes to shorten the distance, but this is definitely one of the most scenic.
• Walk Duration: I left Dalmellington at 11 am and arrived at Loch Doon at 4 pm, taking me 5 hours. This includes lengthy stops and lots of photos. You could easily walk this route faster than me, as I mess around… a lot. If you’re short on time, you can walk to Loch Doon from Bellsbank and miss out on Dalcairney Falls. Although, I wouldn’t recommend skipping the waterfall if you can help it!
• Walk Difficulty: The walk from Dalmellington to Loch Doon is generally considered moderate. This is due to the steep decline on the viewing path at Dalcairney Falls and the natural obstacles to navigate at the Ness Glen section. The route tends to get very slippery (and muddy) in wet weather. Wear appropriate footwear.
• Elevation Gain: 646 ft (197 metres)

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How To Get To The Loch Doon Walk Trailhead

Dalmellington is a market town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It is roughly 14 miles (22.5 km) from Ayr and 51 miles (82 km) from Glasgow. It can be reached easily by car and public transport.

By Public Transport

To get to Dalmellington using public transport, travel by bus. Stagecoach service 52 (Ayr – Bellsbank).

It might be worth buying an Ayrshire DayRider for this route. An Ayrshire DayRider costs £7.20 and will give you unlimited bus travel for the day all around Ayrshire.

Get off the bus on Ayr Road near Dalmellington Community Centre. Facing the road, turn right to walk away from the town. You will see a private road on your left signposted for Craigengillan Estate. Follow the private road for a short distance to a bridge. The trailhead is on your right at the other side of the bridge after the gatehouse.

The map below shows the location of the walk trailhead.

By Car

Follow the A713 from Ayr to Dalmellington.

Free parking is available near Dalmellington Community Centre.

Postcode: KA6 7SJ

From Dalmellington Community Centre, turn right (when facing the road) to walk away from the town. You will see a private road on your left signposted for Craigengillan Estate. Follow the private road for a short distance to a bridge. The trailhead is on your right at the other side of the bridge after the gatehouse.

I’ve attached a map below showing the location of the parking area so you can plan your route.

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Things To Know Before Walking To Loch Doon

Loch Doon won’t provide much of a challenge if you’re fit and healthy. However, don’t underestimate the walk by showing up unprepared.

Plan accordingly and keep these points in mind:

• Wear good walking shoes or hiking boots when walking to Loch Doon. Each stage of the walk comes with its own challenges. The terrain is uneven in parts and gets slippery, especially on rainy days. There are also some very high drops. So, losing your footing in the wrong place won’t end well.
• Bring layers, no matter the weather conditions. In Scotland, it’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day! Remember to pack a waterproof jacket.
• Consider what gear you’ll need to get down to the water at Dalcairney Falls. While reaching the plunge pool (base of the waterfall) on a dry day is easy, this changes in wet or icy conditions. You’ll also need to cross the water to view it from the best angle.
• Make sure to carry plenty of water and snacks. Loch Doon is an excellent place to enjoy a picnic.
• Check the weather before walking to Loch Doon to ensure the conditions are suited to your preferred experience.
• Walk against the traffic when you’re on the road. Stay on the right-hand side so that you can easily see oncoming cars and be prepared to step off of the road to give way.
• Always practice leave no trace ethics. Leave things as they are, and do not drop any rubbish. Carry your litter back to the bins in Dalmellington.

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The Best Way To Walk To Loch Doon From Dalmellington

I have split this route into stages for your convenience…

Dalmellington To Dalcairney Falls (Stage 1)

1. From the trailhead on the private approach road, follow the path leading alongside the river and past the Scout Garden.
2. When you reach the gate at the end of the walking trail, turn left and walk roadside along the B741.
3. Take care when crossing the humpback bridge, as oncoming cars won’t be able to see you. There used to be a footpath near the bridge, but unfortunately, it was damaged and impassable during my visit.
4. After you cross the humpback bridge, you’ll see the farm road leading to Dalcairney Falls on your left.
5. Follow this road past a farmhouse and then uphill towards the falls.
6. Don’t worry about missing Dalcairney Falls… You’ll hear it before you see it. The path leading down to the waterfall viewing area is also signposted.

Dalcairney Falls To Ness Glen (Stage 2)

1. When you exit the falls, turn left and continue on the farm road until you reach the next part of the trail marked on the embedded map (above).
2. Take a left to get onto the path leading across the hill.
3. Go through the gate and continue on the trail until you reach Wee Berbeth Loch.
4. Turn left and away from the wee loch to head downhill and over the gate.
5. Ignore the path to your right, which leads alongside the forest. Instead, head left, continue down, through another gate, and onto the private road in Craigengillan Estate.
6. Turn right on the private road and walk past the estate, stables and glamping pods.
7. If you keep following the road past Craigengillan Estate, you’ll eventually come to a bit of a crossroads. Going right will take you past an old ruin and towards the holiday cottages, and walking straight across will lead you towards where the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory used to stand. Take a left, and this will lead you towards Ness Glen.
8. When you reach the glen, you’ll see a large sign on your right-hand side marking the entrance.

Ness Glen To Loch Doon (Stage 3)

1. Enter Ness Glen via the path beside the sign and go through the gate.
2. Stick by the river and follow the trail until you reach a small wooden footbridge crossing the River Doon.
3. Ignore the footbridge and continue on the path by the river.
4. As you leave Ness Glen, you’ll see Loch Doon Dam up ahead.
5. Go through the gate and turn right towards Loch Doon Roundhouse.

Not quite ready to leave? You can extend your walk:

Loch Finlas: The Beautiful Loch You’ve Never Heard Of

Loch Doon To Dalmellington (Stage 4)

Walking back to Dalmellington is much faster if you skip Dalcairney Falls.

1. Walk through Ness Glen and turn right when you exit.
2. Cross the bridge and go over the gate on the left.
3. Follow the trail beside the river until you reach another gate in front of a smaller river running into the River Doon.
4. If you look left after going through the gate, a path leads to a small wooden bridge where you can cross the water.
5. The trail goes uphill after the river until it forks. Take the path to your left and continue uphill for a short distance before going back downhill.
6. You’ll pass some smaller trails as you walk, including one leading to a stone bridge. Ignore them and continue ahead until the path you are on joins another.
7. Continue left and follow this route through the woodlands and to the Private Approach Road.
8. Turn right. The private road will lead you back to the trailhead, where this walk began.

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Short on time? Here is a faster walk to Loch Doon, which includes Ness Glen but skips Dalcairney Falls:

Ness Glen: How To See Ayrshire’s Beautiful Fairytale Gorge

Perhaps you would prefer only visiting Dalcairney Falls?

Dalcairney Falls: How To See The Stunning Ayrshire Waterfall

Looking to do some hillwalking while you’re in Dalmellington?

Benbeoch: How To See An Epic View Of The Galloway Hills

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Where To Stay In Dalmellington

Dalmellington is the base for all of your adventures around Loch Doon. In Dalmellington you will find local pubs, restaurants, shops and transport.

Here are my top picks for accommodation in the area:

Craigengillan Estate: This location offers a variety of accommodation options, including holiday cottages and glamping pods deep within the grounds. Staying at Craigengillan Estate will give you easy access to some of the best walks in Ayrshire, including Loch Doon, Ness Glen and Dalcairney Falls. Expect peaceful nights and satisfying views in this quiet countryside retreat.

Loch Doon Caravan And Camping Park: While wild camping is allowed at Loch Doon, with plenty of suitable camping spots, sometimes it’s nice to have the security and facilities of an official campsite. Situated near the banks of Loch Doon, the wee caravan and campsite under the stars is perfect for a relaxing weekend or family adventure by Galloway Forest Park.

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Other Helpful Information

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Have you ever tried this walk? Which of the three beauty spots were your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!