Path through the tall trees of Doach Wood near Palnackie

Where to go · Dumfries and Galloway

Forest bathing at Doach Wood

A small, secluded wood near Palnackie with some of the tallest Douglas firs in south-west Scotland.

Doach Wood is a small, secluded wood beside the B736 between Castle Douglas and the A711, about two miles from the village of Palnackie. It holds some of the tallest trees in south-west Scotland, Douglas firs reaching around 40 metres, and the trail climbs steeply up through the tall trunks to a viewpoint over the rocky coast and hills of the Solway.

It is a quieter alternative to the bigger forests nearby, with a free car park signposted from the B736 and no facilities, so plan on Castle Douglas or Dalbeattie for toilets and food. The climb is steep, so go slowly and stop often; the stands of tall firs on the lower slopes are the place to stand still for a while and look up. Without a car, you can reach Palnackie by bus from Dumfries with a change at Dalbeattie, but check times before you set off.

Practical

Managed by
Forestry and Land Scotland
Parking
Free car park, signposted from the B736
Terrain
Steep woodland trail up to a viewpoint
Nearest station
Dumfries, then bus via Dalbeattie to Palnackie
Facilities
Viewpoint; no toilets (nearest in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie)
Opening and entry
Open access, free
Official page
forestryandland.gov.scot

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

A guide within 15 miles of Doach Wood

More woodlands in Dumfries and Galloway

All venues in Dumfries and Galloway
A path through Dalbeattie Town WoodsDalbeattie ForestMossy pine woods, a quiet loch and old granite quarries on the edge of townWaymarked trail through the woods at Glen Trool, Galloway Forest ParkGlentrool, Galloway Forest ParkBirch and native oak woods around Loch Trool, beneath the MerrickA quiet woodland path at Kirroughtree in Galloway Forest ParkKirroughtree, Galloway Forest ParkMixed woods, big beech trees and a red squirrel hide near Newton Stewart

Photos: Dalbeattie Forest, Ann Cook (CC BY-SA 2.0); Glentrool, Galloway Forest Park, Billy McCrorie (CC BY-SA 2.0); Kirroughtree, Galloway Forest Park, Ann Cook (CC BY-SA 2.0).