The route follows the old drover's road from Muirkirk to Sanquhar, with the option of turning eastward along its route at Fingland to head instead for Wanlockhead, a much further destination (32km).

The building of the Sanquhar road significantly improved short and long distance communication. The Great New Inn, built in1790 at the top of Furnace Road in the village was a halfway house on the coach run from Ayr to Lanark and Edinburgh and also served travellers on the Strathaven - Sanquhar run.

A few years before, work started in digging out the Lade which was to supply the furnaces of the iron works with water from the River Garpel. The course of the Lade was from 200 yards above the Sanquhar Brig round the skins of Cairntable to a dam behind the furnace.

The initial steps on the road out of Muirkirk follow that to the brig of the same name, passing McAdam's stone. Before reaching the Sanquhar Brig there is a landmark called Whisky Knowe so named legend has it, because contraband whisky was hidden there by smugglers on the run from the Exciseman. As far as is known, none has been found! Once over the Brig, White Horse is reached (a stone there resembles a horse). To the west lies Wardlaw Hill (1,630 ft) where there is a monument to the late Col JGA Baird, laird of Wellwood, erected by his appreciative workers. Baird was a noted benefactor to the community.

The onward road takes the walker through a forest plantation where it is important to follow signs. This track emerges on to a hard standing farm road which goes all the way to Sanquhar. Landmarks on the way - include Fingland, the junction for the walk to Wanlockhead.