Donald · Southern Uplands
Blacklorg Hill
Blacklorg Hill sits on the wild watershed between Glen Afton and the Water of Ken, west of the bigger bulk of Blackcraig Hill. A cairn beside an iron fence-post marks the top of a long ridge of dark heather running south towards Cairnsmore of Carsphairn.
Quick facts
- Height
- 681m/ 2234ft
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 558 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NS653042
- Parking
- NS649055
- Nearest city
- Dumfries
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass moorland 30% · rocky summit 10%
Approach from the Afton dam or from the road end at Glenmuckloch, both involving rough heather and forest ride walking before the open ridge. Around 14km return with 550m of climb.
Terrain
Deep heather and tussock low down — slow going — giving way to thinner grass and bilberry on the upper ridge. The summit dome itself is a flat moss-and-grass crown.
In winter
The Afton glen funnels low cloud and freezing drizzle for days at a time. SAIS Southern Uplands seldom flags this group but verglas on dark heather stems makes the descent treacherous.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 28m
- Edinburgh2h 58m
OS maps: OS Landranger 77
Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Northern Galloway Range viewpoint.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:44
- Sunset
- 21:44
- Civil dawn
- 03:50
- Civil dusk
- 22:39
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Blacklorg Hill.
Around Blacklorg Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Blacklorg Hill — common questions
- How hard is Blacklorg Hill?
- Blacklorg Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 558m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Deep heather and tussock low down — slow going — giving way to thinner grass and bilberry on the upper ridge.
- Where do I park for Blacklorg Hill?
- Standard parking is at NS649055 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 Blacklorg Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Blacklorg Hill 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 Blacklorg Hill?
- 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 Blacklorg Hill?
- Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Northern Galloway Range viewpoint.
- Is Blacklorg Hill safe in winter?
- The Afton glen funnels low cloud and freezing drizzle for days at a time. SAIS Southern Uplands seldom flags this group but verglas on dark heather stems makes the descent treacherous.