Moffat to Devils Beef Tub Loop

This is one of five sections of the Annandale Way. The only section with serious altitude gain is the Devil's Beef Tub Loop which rises to 1640 ft / 500m - bit of rough ground so be prepared.

Route, described clockwise: Starting from the anatomically deficient Moffat Ram (he can't hear) in the town (OS Map 330) follow waymarkers North along the High Street turning left past the Stag Hotel onto the riverside walk. Head upstream for just under a mile, turn right through a metal kissing gate to cross a farm field and turn left onto a minor road (The "Old Edinburgh Road"). It's a pretty quiet road however there are no verges. After 1 mile, bear left for Meikleholmside, White Hill Design Studio & Annandale Way.

The Way bears left of Meikleholmside Farm and after 2 miles cross the A701 (take care now) and head straight uphill (ignore the Braehead/Ericstane footpath) out onto the hillside. Descend and re-cross the A701 and you'll be at the truly stunning Devil's Beef Tub - wonderful history of 13th century cattle rustling and clan gatherings.

From there, head towards and climb onto Annanhead Hill and a range that rims the upper limits of the Annan catchment. A spectacular view opens into the Beef Tub corries and down the green corridor of Annandale towards the Solway coast.

On the coll between Chalk Rig Edge and Spout Craig, (crossing the watershed between the sources of the tributaries that feed the Annan and Tweed) there's a Cairn marking the source of the River Annan. After you have celebrated finding it, turn south into the valley here, following the rapidly growing waters in a gully that will spit you out below Corehead Farm. Here, back onto the minor road that leads you back into Moffat - you can remain on the Old Edinburgh Road - it's a great wee town with a huge choice of hotels, B&B accommodation, campsite, eateries & pubs.