Donald · Galloway
Cairnsmore of Fleet
A great granite whaleback above the Cree estuary, Cairnsmore of Fleet is one of three Cairnsmores in Galloway and the southernmost 2000-foot Donald. The cairn-strewn summit hosts a memorial to wartime aircrew who came to grief on its broad upper slopes during World War Two.
Quick facts
- Height
- 711.1m/ 2333ft
- Prominence
- 522 m
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 583 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NX501670
- Parking
- NX535740
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 48km
- 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
heather moorland 55% · grass and rushes 25% · granite summit 20%
The standard ascent is the Cairnsmore Path from the National Nature Reserve car park at Cairnsmore House, climbing steadily through oak wood, then plantation, then onto the open hill via Knee of Cairnsmore.
Terrain
A constructed stone path tackles most of the steep middle section — a fine piece of work that has saved the hillside from erosion. Higher up the path frays into a number of trodden lines through close-cropped sward.
In winter
Catches Solway weather first and hardest. Wet snow, freezing fog and rime ice are more common than dry powder. The summit memorial is a stark sight in winter — and a sobering reminder that the cloud base often clips this hill.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 6m
- Edinburgh3h 47m
OS maps: OS Landranger 83
Mobile signal: Solid summit coverage; EE and Vodafone hold. Fine Galloway viewpoint.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:01
- Sunset
- 21:46
- Civil dawn
- 04:09
- Civil dusk
- 22:38
NOAA Solar Calculator · 17 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Cairnsmore of Fleet.
Around Cairnsmore of Fleet on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Ayr station
Ayrshire coast; Galloway approach via bus/car
57km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Kirkcudbright
Galloway base — Solway coast, Galloway Forest, Mull of Galloway Trail
24km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Bladnoch
Wigtown — Galloway's only distillery; Scotland's most southerly
15km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Cairnsmore of Fleet — common questions
- How difficult is Cairnsmore of Fleet?
- Cairnsmore of Fleet carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 583m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Ground conditions: A constructed stone path tackles most of the steep middle section — a fine piece of work that has saved the hillside from erosion.
- How much drop does Cairnsmore of Fleet have?
- The drop is 522m: measured from the summit of Cairnsmore of Fleet down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Cairnsmore of Fleet?
- Park at NX535740. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Cairnsmore of Fleet?
- Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Cairnsmore of Fleet. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Cairnsmore of Fleet?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Cairnsmore of Fleet?
- Solid summit coverage; EE and Vodafone hold. Fine Galloway viewpoint.
- Is Cairnsmore of Fleet safe in winter?
- Catches Solway weather first and hardest. Wet snow, freezing fog and rime ice are more common than dry powder. The summit memorial is a stark sight in winter — and a sobering reminder that the cloud base often clips this hill.
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