Warb Law
After a gentle start along the river, this walk climbs to the summit of a popular local hill which gives a viewpoint over the Solway Plain stretching to the Lake District hills
Walk 5 : Warb Law
Starting point : The Kilngreen Car Park
Walk 1: Becks and Gaskells
Walk 2: Langfauld and Potholm
Walk 3: Duchess Bridge & North Lodge
Walk 4 : Potholm & Castle Hill
Walk 5: Warb Law
Walk 6: Arkleton
Walk 7: Jenny Noble’s Gill
Walk 8: Target Burn and Whita Hill
Walk 9: Calfield Rig and Mid Hill
Walk 10: Tarras Water and Whita Hill
Walk 11: Old Irvine
Walk 12: Canonbie
Walk 13: Moorland Walk
Walk 14: Meikledale
This walk begins at Kilngreen car park and the terrain includes roads, tracks and open hills. From the car park, walk towards the town centre and turn right over the road bridge across the Esk. Take the first left (Elizabeth Street), go right at the end and then left over the footbridge into Buccleuch Park. Cross the park, heading towards the River Esk on your left. At the end of the open area, take the riverside path at the foot of the hill, with the river rushing by below.
The path becomes a little rougher and crosses a lightly wooded area.
Turn left on a broad track. Follow this track past Murtholm, still close to the river, and out to the Skippers Bridge on the A7 road. Turn right, swing left with the main road, and in a short distance take the clear path leading up the slope on the right. Turn right on a rough track and follow it for about 300 metres to a junction, with houses to the right.
Turn left here through the metal gate. In about 25 metres go right onto the open hill, following the line of an ATV track that leads quite steeply upwards. Take your time over the climb, which is at a steady gradient for most of the way. The ATV track is a useful guide.
At the third row of electricity pylons, turn right and follow the general line of the pylons towards the summit of Warb Law. On the way you cross a broken stone dyke and there are also areas of wet ground to negotiate. The compensation is in the ever-expanding views. Warb Law (always known locally as ‘the Warbla’) is only 275 metres/900 feet in altitude but it commands a superb panorama extending not only to the mass of hills surrounding Langholm but also much further afield.
In clear conditions, the Solway Firth is seen, with the hills of northern Lakeland visible on the horizon beyond. When you are ready to leave, go around the enclosure to pick up the access track servicing the mast. This mast replaced a smaller mast that used to stand on Meikleholm Hill, and gives local people a much-improved TV picture.
Follow the access track down. At first, it seems that you are heading away from Langholm, but the track then makes a sharp right turn and heads purposefully back towards the town. There are fine views across Langholm to Whita Hill, and Potholm and Castle Hills. Birds common in this area include (according to season) curlew, skylarks and plover.
Further down, past a gate, the track becomes stonier and then passes between hedges which are a riot of May blossom in spring. At a junction (house on the left) go straight ahead. Go through the gap in the hedge and down the steps into Buccleuch Park. Go across the park to the right, left over the footbridge and retrace your steps back to the car park.
Note: There are likely to be cattle and sheep on the open hill section, with calves/lambs in the spring period. Please do not take dogs on this walk between March and May. At other times, dogs must be kept on a lead.
Please remember!
Leave gates as you find them – Keep dogs under close control at all times – Keep to paths across farmland – Take care on country roads
Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges, and walls – Respect farm livestock, crops, and machinery – Take your litter home with you.
Protect wildlife, plants and trees – Guard against the risk of fire – Make no unnecessary noise.
There is a guide to our walks in the format of a plastic folder containing details of our 14 way marked walks.
Each walk has an A4 OS map with details of the walk on the other side.
The pack can be obtained by post from The Langholm Walks Group, Ardlui, 63 Henry Street, Langholm, DG13 0ES. The cost is £5 plus £2.30 for postage and packing for the set of walks. Langholm Walks Group can be contacted by tel; 013873 80715 or by email at langholmwalks@gmail.com