How hard is Ballencleuch Law?

We grade Ballencleuch Law at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. Underfoot: Close-cropped sheep grass with a few wet runnels in the upper coire.

What is Ballencleuch Law's prominence?

204m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Ballencleuch Law to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Ballencleuch Law?

Most walkers start from NS981018. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Ballencleuch Law?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Ballencleuch Law. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Ballencleuch Law dog-friendly?

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

By Gary

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
Prominence: 204 m
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NS935049
Parking: NS981018
Nearest city: Dumfries· 29km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

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

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

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.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Ballencleuch Law. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 39m
Edinburgh2h 49m

Parking: NS981018

OS maps: OS Landranger 78

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

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 02mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:46
Sunset: 19:34
Civil dawn: 06:09
Civil dusk: 20:11

NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 September 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

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Base yourself in Kirkcudbright

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

60km from the hill

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Ballencleuch Law — common questions

How hard is Ballencleuch Law?: We grade Ballencleuch Law at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. Underfoot: Close-cropped sheep grass with a few wet runnels in the upper coire.
What is Ballencleuch Law's prominence?: 204m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Ballencleuch Law to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Ballencleuch Law?: Most walkers start from NS981018. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Ballencleuch Law?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Ballencleuch Law. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Ballencleuch Law dog-friendly?: 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 throughout; 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.

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