Balloch Woods - Forestry and Land Scotland image/svg+xml image/svg+xml Skip to main content Forestry and Land Scotland Logo Search Visit Learn What we do Climate Business and services Blog Jobs Contact us Balloch Woods Balloch Woods About Facilities and access Directions Contact Nearby forests Where we are About Follow the Balloch Burn up the hillside above Creetown Balloch Woods clothe the hillside above Creetown, on the edge of the wide Cree Estuary. The richly varied woodland woodland follows the course of the Balloch Burn, and has good populations of woodpeckers, tree creepers and red squirrels. Each season has something to offer: there are primroses and bluebells in spring, and in autumn vivid orange larch needles drift to the forest floor. There’s a particularly rich collection of mosses and ferns, especially in the gorge carved by the burn. Facilities and access Walking Parking You’ll find shops and places to eat in Creetown. Car parking information There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. More about parking Getting here Creetown is just off the A75 between Newton Stewart and Gatehouse of Fleet. You can get into the woods directly from the village: go up Kirk Brae, near the museum at the south end of the village, and past the church to find the forest entrance. This is the starting point for the Burnside Trail. Other trails start from a small car park at the east end of the woods. From the centre of Creetown go up High Steet, opposite the Ellangowan Hotel, then take a left fork and after about 250 yards turn right onto a minor road that becomes single track. Follow this for about a mile (1.6 km) to the car park. Using SatNav? Nearest postcode: DG8 7EU Public transport Check Traveline Scotland for details of buses to Creetown. Get directions Get in touch Have a question or suggestion for improvement? Email enquiries.south@forestryandland.gov.scot Phone 0300 067 6900 (option 2) More contact information Nearby forests 1 Kirroughtree Visitor Centre Galloway Forest Park’s gateway centre Facilities and activities Walking Toilets Mountain biking Parking (charge) All ability trails Easy-access facilities Cafe or refreshments Wildlife hide Visitor centre Shop Play area Bike hire Changing places Shower Picnic area Tourist information Distance from 'Balloch Woods': 3.70 miles 2 Cally Woods Tranquil woodland on the edge of Gatehouse of Fleet Facilities and activities Walking Parking Horse riding Distance from 'Balloch Woods': 4.71 miles 3 Glenamour Peaceful forest roads with fine views over Newton Stewart Facilities and activities Walking Parking Distance from 'Balloch Woods': 5.33 miles Related articles Glen heads south Wednesday, 21 September 2022 Tweed Valley Osprey Project Co-ordinator, Di Bennett, brings us the latest update from the nest. Tweed Valley Osprey Project - Update 8 September Thursday, 08 September 2022 Tweed Valley Osprey Project Co-ordinator, Di Bennett, brings us the latest update from the nest. The technology helping us modernise forestry Friday, 02 September 2022 Forestry is evolving. We're using more and more modern technology to help us work in tricky and hard-to-reach areas, though we do still fell trees with a chainsaw and plant by hand... Heading south, mostly Monday, 29 August 2022 Tweed Valley Osprey Project Co-ordinator, Di Bennett, brings us the latest update from the nest. View Blog Find a forest... View all forests Search View all forests About us Jobs Volunteer Diversity and inclusion News releases Stay the night Privacy notice Cookies Web accessibility Freedom of information Human trafficking Sitemap © 2022 Forestry and Land Scotland. All Rights Reserved. Forests and land that Scotland can be proud of