This walk heads towards Lochaber Loch, passing through Mabie Nature Reserve. A variety of wildlife can be encountered along the way, and there are incredible views from Craigbill Hill looking out towards Criffel and the Solway estuary.
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 4 miles south of Dumfries. (NOTE 'Mabie Farm Park' is signposted just before the entrance to the forest. There is no vehicle access to the forest from here.)The nearest train station is in Dumfries.
OS Grid Reference: NX950709
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.