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Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall

Scotland · Dumfries-and-galloway · 0.46 miles (round trip) · ~24 min (round trip)

A dramatic waterfall walk near Moffat. Experience one of Scotland’s highest falls with varied routes and breathtaking mountain views.

Grey Mare’s Tail is a spectacular 60-metre hanging valley waterfall that plunges from Loch Skeen into the Moffat Water Valley. The area is a nature reserve managed by the National Trust for Scotland, and parking reflects this. The main car park is a "Pay and Display" site, typically costing around £3–£5 for the day, though it is free for National Trust for Scotland members (and usually reciprocal for National Trust England/Wales members). While there are some small free lay-bys further along the road, these are very limited and fill up quickly.

There are three main ways to experience the falls, each carrying the risk of steep, precipitous falls if you stray from the path. The route to the left of the stream is the shortest and considered the safest, though it still involves a steady climb; from here, you can get a great look at the lower cascades but only see the top half of the main waterfall.

For a more comprehensive view, the main path to the right is longer and steeper, but it rewards you with a vantage point of the entire waterfall from the top and continues toward the hidden Loch Skeen. Finally, there is a scrambling route for those seeking a challenge, but this is strictly for the experienced. It involves navigating very loose stones, climbing on wet, slippery rocks, and is significantly more dangerous than the established paths. Whatever route you choose, sturdy footwear is essential as the terrain is rugged throughout.

Walk Characteristics

Linear (A to B)Scrambling requiredSwimming spotWaterfallRiver/streamMountain summit/peakRough/uneven terrainWalking

Parking

Paid parkingFree parking

Route Map

Recommended parking included

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