Donald · Galloway
Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
Big rounded Galloway hill that dominates the village of Carsphairn above the A713. The view across to the Galloway Forest Park is exceptional on a clear day, and the upland sheep ground gives easy walking despite the height.
Quick facts
- Height
- 797m/ 2615ft
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 670 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NX594980
- Parking
- NX573940
- Nearest
- Castle Douglas· Dumfries 44km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 25% · rocky summit 15%
Standard route from Green Well of Scotland car park, then up by Bunkers Hill on the east flank. A clear quad-bike track runs most of the way before the final pathless pull onto the wide cairned summit.
Terrain
Path through open hillside. Some bog. Pathless near the summit.
In winter
Gentle terrain by Highland standards but cold winds and limited shelter.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 55m
- Edinburgh2h 25m
OS maps: OS Explorer 328
Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Prominent northern Galloway viewpoint.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:45
- Sunset
- 21:44
- Civil dawn
- 03:51
- Civil dusk
- 22:38
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Cairnsmore of Carsphairn.
Around Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Cairnsmore of Carsphairn — common questions
- How hard is Cairnsmore of Carsphairn?
- Cairnsmore of Carsphairn is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 12km with 670m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Terrain: Path through open hillside.
- Where do I park for Cairnsmore of Carsphairn?
- Standard parking is at NX573940 near Castle Douglas. 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 Cairnsmore of Carsphairn?
- The standard good-weather months for Cairnsmore of Carsphairn 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 Cairnsmore of Carsphairn?
- 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 Cairnsmore of Carsphairn?
- Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Prominent northern Galloway viewpoint.
- Is Cairnsmore of Carsphairn safe in winter?
- Gentle terrain by Highland standards but cold winds and limited shelter.