Tinto is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 8km with 480m of ascent and takes most walkers 2-3 hours. Terrain: Wide engineered path the entire way.

Where do I park for Tinto?

Standard parking is at NS964374 near Lanark. 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 Tinto?

The standard good-weather months for Tinto 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 Tinto?

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

Tinto is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 8km with 480m of ascent and takes most walkers 2-3 hours. Terrain: Wide engineered path the entire way.

Where do I park for Tinto?

Standard parking is at NS964374 near Lanark. 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 Tinto?

The standard good-weather months for Tinto 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 Tinto?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Iain Lees / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Central Belt

Tinto

The most-walked hill in Lanarkshire and a brilliant first Donald for Central Belt walkers. Sits in splendid isolation overlooking the upper Clyde valley with a Bronze Age cairn on the summit.

Quick facts

Height: 711.6m/ 2335ft
Distance: 8 km
Ascent: 480 m
Time: 2–3 hrs
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NS953343
Parking: NS964374
Nearest: Lanark· Glasgow 48km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

grass moorland 65% · heather slopes 25% · rocky summit 10%

8km · 480m ascent · 3 hrs

Standard route from Fallburn car park near Symington. Wide stone path up the north ridge — the busiest hill path in southern Scotland on a sunny weekend.

Terrain

Wide engineered path the entire way. Family-friendly.

In winter

Gets snow Dec-Feb. Path stays obvious. A good winter introduction.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 0m
Edinburgh1h 0m

Parking: NS964374ML12 6FN

OS maps: OS Explorer 335

Mobile signal: Excellent signal on summit; all major networks strong. Popular hill with clear sight lines to Glasgow.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 54mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:41
Sunset: 21:44
Civil dawn: 03:45
Civil dusk: 22:39

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Tinto on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Glasgow Queen Street

West Highland Line southern terminus; Highland Main Line

49km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Tinto — common questions

How hard is Tinto?: Tinto is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 8km with 480m of ascent and takes most walkers 2-3 hours. Terrain: Wide engineered path the entire way.
Where do I park for Tinto?: Standard parking is at NS964374 near Lanark. 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 Tinto?: The standard good-weather months for Tinto 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 Tinto?: 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 Tinto?: Excellent signal on summit; all major networks strong. Popular hill with clear sight lines to Glasgow.
Is Tinto safe in winter?: Gets snow Dec-Feb. Path stays obvious. A good winter introduction.