Graham · Southern Uplands
Green Lowther
The second-highest of the Lowther Hills, crowned by the bristling radar and communications array of NATS' Lowther Hill complex. The walk-in is on a Tarmac service road — unromantic but quick.
Quick facts
- Height
- 732m/ 2402ft
- Prominence
- 424 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 600 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NS900120
- Parking
- NS994154
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 37km
- 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
mine track 25% · moorland path 45% · grassy ridge 20% · summit area 10%
Park at the Wanlockhead museum and follow the service road south up the Lowther Hill flank, then trace the ridge north-east to Green Lowther's tidy summit cairn beside its own communications mast. The Southern Upland Way crosses the route.
Terrain
Tarmac service road for most of the way — solid underfoot but tedious. The connecting ridge to Green Lowther is short grass and bilberry. The Lowther Hill summit is fenced off around the radar.
In winter
Britain's snowiest village sits below — Wanlockhead at 1500ft gets reliable winter cover. The service road is normally kept open for the radar engineers but the connecting ridge can drift over. Real Southern Uplands winter walking on a good day.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 28m
- Edinburgh2h 42m
OS maps: OS Landranger 71, OS Landranger 78
Mobile signal: Good reception around the radar masts; patchy in the Mennock Pass
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:51
- Sunset
- 21:51
- Civil dawn
- 03:56
- Civil dusk
- 22:46
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
On a long-distance route
Green Lowther sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Green Lowther on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Green Lowther — common questions
- Is Green Lowther a hard climb?
- Green Lowther is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 600m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Tarmac service road for most of the way — solid underfoot but tedious.
- How prominent is Green Lowther?
- Green Lowther has 424m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Green Lowther?
- Standard parking is at NS994154. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Green Lowther?
- The standard good-weather months for Green Lowther 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 Green Lowther?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Green Lowther?
- Good reception around the radar masts; patchy in the Mennock Pass
- Is Green Lowther safe in winter?
- Britain's snowiest village sits below — Wanlockhead at 1500ft gets reliable winter cover. The service road is normally kept open for the radar engineers but the connecting ridge can drift over. Real Southern Uplands winter walking on a good day.
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