Trail Running Planet · Galloway Hills · Glen Trool
Glen Trool and Loch Trool from the Visitor Centre
Only 292m of climb over 17km, but the technical oakwood singletrack on the south shore of the loch slows honest splits more than the numbers suggest. And you finish at a cafe that lets dogs inside.
Distance
17.2 km
Ascent
232 m
Descent
232 m
Max elevation
151 m
Route type
Loop
Est. time
2h – 2h 45m
Grade
Hard
Navigation
waymarked
Parking
DG8 6SZ
Dogs
Welcome
Best seasons
spring, summer, autumn, winter
About this route
A 17.2km circuit of Loch Trool from the Glentrool Visitor Centre at Stroan Bridge, out along the Water of Trool to Caldons, round the loch on the Southern Upland Way and back past Bruce's Stone.
Hazards & notes
The south shore path is regularly closed for forestry harvesting, which breaks the loop entirely - check Forestry and Land Scotland's Glentrool alerts before travelling. Ticks are a standing, site-specific warning here and Lyme disease is a real risk, so check yourself afterwards. The loch-side path runs close to open water with no barrier, and the rocky stepped sections are slippery when wet.
Emergency
Call 999 or 112 → ask for Police → request Mountain Rescue. Register Emergency SMS: text "register" to 999.
Full route, GPX download & live conditions:
https://trailrunningplanet.com/routes/scotland/galloway-hills/glen-trool/glen-trool-loch-trool-visitor-centre
trailrunningplanet.com