Corbett · Galloway
Corserine
Corserine is the high point of the Rhinns of Kells — the long ridge running south from the Awful Hand range to form the eastern wall of the Galloway hills. At 814m it is the highest summit on the Southern Uplands' eastern flank and gives a long ridge walk with views across the Glenkens to Ayrshire on one side and east to the Lowther hills on the other. Less visited than nearby Merrick, the hill rewards a quieter day in the same Galloway granite landscape: small lochans, white granite tors, and an immense sense of empty space.
Quick facts
- Height
- 814m/ 2671ft
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 830 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NX497870
- Parking
- NX553864
- Nearest
- Glasgow· Dumfries 49km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
forest track 20% · moorland path 35% · grassy ridge 35% · summit area 10%
The usual route starts from Forrest Lodge car park in Glen Trool Forest Park. Follow the forestry tracks east then north onto the open hillside, climbing onto Meaul (814m) before continuing north along the Rhinns of Kells ridge to Corserine. Strong walkers extend by traversing the whole Rhinns including Carlin's Cairn and Cairn Hill, descending back via Lairdmannoch or returning the same way. Allow 6–7 hours for the standard there-and-back ridge.
Terrain
Forestry track for the first 3km — fast going. Above the trees the route is a broad grassy ridge with peat hags in places, occasionally muddy underfoot. The summit area is a flat grassy plateau with a trig pillar; the ridge connecting the Rhinns has several subsidiary tops that can be confusing in cloud.
In winter
Corserine in firm winter conditions is a long ridge walk with easily the best winter panoramas in southern Scotland. Snow cover is intermittent — typically lying for stretches of January and February. The exposure on the open ridge is significant; east winds across the Solway can be ferocious. The forestry approach holds ice readily.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 53m
- Edinburgh2h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 77
Mobile signal: Good signal in Galloway; 2-3 bars on the summit
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:46
- Sunset
- 21:44
- Civil dawn
- 03:52
- Civil dusk
- 22:38
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Corserine.
Around Corserine on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Corserine — common questions
- How hard is Corserine?
- Corserine is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 18km with 830m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Forestry track for the first 3km — fast going.
- Where do I park for Corserine?
- Standard parking is at NX553864 near Glasgow. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Corserine?
- The standard good-weather months for Corserine are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Corserine?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Corserine?
- Good signal in Galloway; 2-3 bars on the summit
- Is Corserine safe in winter?
- Corserine in firm winter conditions is a long ridge walk with easily the best winter panoramas in southern Scotland. Snow cover is intermittent — typically lying for stretches of January and February. The exposure on the open ridge is significant; east winds across the Solway can be ferocious. The forestry approach holds ice readily.