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Southern Upland Way

twp walkers tackle a section of the Southern Upland Way beside Dunskey Golf Course near Portpatrick

Southern Upland Way beside Dunskey Golf Course

looking across at the town of Sanquhar, on the Southern Upland Way, sitting below the hills

Sanquhar

sign for the Southern Upland Way

Southern Upland Way by Loch Trool

Southern Upland Way by Loch Trool

Take on the 212-mile challenge of Britain's first official coast to coast long-distance footpath, or sample the route with some short walks along the way.

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's longest, and possibly its most challenging walking route. It stretches coast to coast across the south of Scotland from Portpatrick in the far west of Dumfries & Galloway to Cockburnspath on the North Sea coast of the Scottish Borders, taking in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

Although long-established, the Southern Upland Way is still unsung as a trekking route, but it offers superb and varied walking across the dramatic landscape of southern Scotland. With over 80 summits rising above 2,000 ft along the route, it provides a real challenge for the experienced walker, taking between 10 and 14 days, depending on the weather, the time of year and how fit you are.

If you were to tackle the entire Southern Upland Way, you’d be in for a 212-mile marathon. The route is waymarked all along with special symbols on posts, leaflet boxes and information shelters, so you shouldn't get lost.

If you're not up for all of the challenge, you can get a taste of the route by trying one of the 15, more manageable sections, which are easily achievable by a range of abilities and ages. Whether you want to take the children along to admire this beautiful region or want a great challenge, you can experience the Way in all its glory. Check out the ideas for shorter routes on the guide to the Southern Upland Way.