How hard is Ballencleuch Law?

Ballencleuch Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 567m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Close-cropped sheep grass with a few wet runnels in the upper coire.

Where do I park for Ballencleuch Law?

Standard parking is at NS981018 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 Ballencleuch Law?

The standard good-weather months for Ballencleuch Law are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Ballencleuch Law?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Ballencleuch Law?

Ballencleuch Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 567m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Close-cropped sheep grass with a few wet runnels in the upper coire.

Where do I park for Ballencleuch Law?

Standard parking is at NS981018 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 Ballencleuch Law?

The standard good-weather months for Ballencleuch Law are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Ballencleuch Law?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Iain Russell / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Southern Uplands

Ballencleuch Law

The highest of the eastern Lowther Hills, Ballencleuch Law stands above the Dalveen Pass between Durisdeer and Wanlockhead. A scatter of stones beside a fence corner marks the summit, with the radar domes on Green Lowther catching the eye to the north-west.

Quick facts

Height: 691.4m/ 2268ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 567 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NS935049
Parking: NS981018
Nearest city: Dumfries
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

grass moorland 80% · heather patches 15% · summit area 5%

13km · 567m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Most ascents start from the A702 at Dalveen, climbing the steep grass nose of Wedder Dod and then following the watershed fence south. A little under 9km round trip with 460m of ascent and good fence-line navigation throughout.

Terrain

Close-cropped sheep grass with a few wet runnels in the upper coire. The fence-line ridge has a thin sheep trod most of the way. Almost no rock; just the occasional boulder where the ground breaks.

In winter

Snow drifts deeply against the watershed fence and can form a small corniced wreath on the east side of the summit dome. The Dalveen Pass closes early in heavy storms — check road status before driving up from Thornhill.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 39m
Edinburgh2h 49m

Parking: NS981018

OS maps: OS Landranger 78

Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE and O2 reliable. Southern Uplands viewpoint.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 49mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:42
Sunset: 21:42
Civil dawn: 03:48
Civil dusk: 22:37

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Ballencleuch Law on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kirkcudbright

Galloway base — Solway coast, Galloway Forest, Mull of Galloway Trail

60km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Ballencleuch Law — common questions

How hard is Ballencleuch Law?: Ballencleuch Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 567m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Close-cropped sheep grass with a few wet runnels in the upper coire.
Where do I park for Ballencleuch Law?: Standard parking is at NS981018 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 Ballencleuch Law?: The standard good-weather months for Ballencleuch Law are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. 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 Ballencleuch Law?: 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 Ballencleuch Law?: Good signal on summit; EE and O2 reliable. Southern Uplands viewpoint.
Is Ballencleuch Law safe in winter?: Snow drifts deeply against the watershed fence and can form a small corniced wreath on the east side of the summit dome. The Dalveen Pass closes early in heavy storms — check road status before driving up from Thornhill.