Today I visited Criffel. An often ignored hill positioned to the South West of Dumfries. Parking at New Abbey, I proceeded through a lovely woodland section with Scots Pine, Common Walnut, Alder, Goldenrod, Bloody Cranes Bill, Bay Willow and I saw a Wall Brown butterfly, rabbits (and lots of flies!). The ground underfoot once off the fire road was exceptionally boggy with heather and large clumps of grass obstructing the way. The path itself was very sludgy and in parts turned to bog, which was up to the knees in places - a stick was handy to see just how deep and sludgy it was! A stiff climb through the heather to Knockendoch was rewarded with my head in the mist, so I navigated with my map and compass and walked along the peaty ridge towards Old Fell and Criffel. As I negotiated the bogs along this stretch, the cloud lifted and I was able to see some of the spectacular views in all directions from the summit, obstructed slightly by low cloud and haze. Although Criffel is only 569m high, it stands alone so the view is uninterrupted for many miles. I saw several grouse along the way, cotton grass, and crows. I spent a little time on the summit looking at the view towards the superb coast around Auchencairn Bay. The rain started to head in and the clouds began to drop, so I returned via the same route and arrived back at the car park just as the heavy rain set in. A great walk, apart from the boggy bit at the start!!
Today I visited Criffel. An often ignored hill positioned to the South West of Dumfries. Parking at New Abbey, I proceeded through a lovely woodland section with Scots Pine, Common Walnut, Alder, Goldenrod, Bloody Cranes Bill, Bay Willow and I saw a Wall Brown butterfly, rabbits (and lots of flies!). The ground underfoot once off the fire road was exceptionally boggy with heather and large clumps of grass obstructing the way. The path itself was very sludgy and in parts turned to bog, which was up to the knees in places - a stick was handy to see just how deep and sludgy it was! A stiff climb through the heather to Knockendoch was rewarded with my head in the mist, so I navigated with my map and compass and walked along the peaty ridge towards Old Fell and Criffel. As I negotiated the bogs along this stretch, the cloud lifted and I was able to see some of the spectacular views in all directions from the summit, obstructed slightly by low cloud and haze. Although Criffel is only 569m high, it stands alone so the view is uninterrupted for many miles. I saw several grouse along the way, cotton grass, and crows. I spent a little time on the summit looking at the view towards the superb coast around Auchencairn Bay. The rain started to head in and the clouds began to drop, so I returned via the same route and arrived back at the car park just as the heavy rain set in. A great walk, apart from the boggy bit at the start!!
