Wood of Cree
| Distance | Approximate Time | Height Gain | OS Map |
| 3.54 kms | 01:00 (hrs:mins) | 35 metres | Explorer 319: Galloway Forest Park South |
Description
This is a magical place! A beautiful RSPB reserve of mixed woodland above the River Cree. Tumbling burns, moss-covered boulders, bluebells, primroses and wild garlic in season, with resident red deer, barn owls, pine martens and red squirrels and summer migrants like pied flycatchers and redstarts, Wood of Cree is the largest ancient woodland in southern Scotland. Otters are regularly spotted from the viewing platform on the Cree.
Start from the car park, cross the road to reach the start of the walks. From the interpretation board, follow the path uphill to reach a waymarker for the Woodland Trail. Follow the Cordorcan Burn past a series of waterfalls rushing down the steep gorges they have created over thousands of years. The Wood of Cree, thought to date back over 5000 years to the last ice age, is the largest remaining woodland in southern Scotland. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife and particular specialities are pied flycatcher, redstart and wood warbler. Continue to follow signs for the Woodland trail until you come to a junction where the two trails. From here, follow signs for the Scrubland Trail through more varied woodland with open scrub and stands of mature trees. Since the establishment of the reserve in 1984, some conifers have been removed and natural regeneration of the woodland has been encouraged.
Access Info
From Newton Stewart, follow the signs to Minnigaff then to the Wood of Cree RSPB Nature Reserve. The car park is on your left after 4 miles.
Additional Info
Check out the Walking in and around Newton Stewart and Creetown booklet for more information, available from any Tourist Information Centre in Dumfries and Galloway. Click the Walkingworld link below to find out more about this route.
