Is Gana Hill a hard climb?

Gana Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 548m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Underfoot: Tussock and peat hag dominate the upper plateau.

What is Gana Hill's prominence?

117m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Gana Hill to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Gana Hill?

Most walkers start from NS941017. 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 Gana Hill?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Gana Hill. 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 Gana Hill 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: wrobison / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Southern Uplands

Gana Hill

Gana Hill links Wedder Law to Lousie Wood Law on the Lowther watershed, a featureless grassy lump above the head of Daer Water. A small cairn sits at the corner of the boundary fence, with peat hags falling away to the east.

Quick facts

Height: 668m/ 2192ft
Prominence: 117 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~548 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NS954010
Parking: NS941017
Nearest city: Dumfries· 25km
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%

13km · 548m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Best approached from the Daer reservoir, climbing the east flank onto the ridge. Often linked with Wedder Law and Ballencleuch Law for a 16km traverse with 700m of climb.

Terrain

Tussock and peat hag dominate the upper plateau. Slow ground; the fence is essential in cloud.

In winter

Peat hags fill in with windblown snow and disguise the top of the plateau.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Gana Hill. 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 45m
Edinburgh2h 53m

Parking: NS941017

OS maps: OS Landranger 78

Mobile signal: Signal is good; EE holds throughout. Fine Tweeddale moorland 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 Gana Hill 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

57km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Gana Hill — common questions

Is Gana Hill a hard climb?: Gana Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 548m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Underfoot: Tussock and peat hag dominate the upper plateau.
What is Gana Hill's prominence?: 117m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Gana Hill to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Gana Hill?: Most walkers start from NS941017. 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 Gana Hill?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Gana Hill. 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 Gana Hill 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 Gana Hill?: Signal is good; EE holds throughout. Fine Tweeddale moorland viewpoint.
Is Gana Hill safe in winter?: Peat hags fill in with windblown snow and disguise the top of the plateau.

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