How hard is Green Lowther?

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.

Where do I park for Green Lowther?

Standard parking is at NS994154 near Glasgow. 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 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?

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

How hard is Green Lowther?

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.

Where do I park for Green Lowther?

Standard parking is at NS994154 near Glasgow. 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 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?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: James T M Towill / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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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
Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 600 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NS900120
Parking: NS994154
Nearest city: Dumfries
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

mine track 25% · moorland path 45% · grassy ridge 20% · summit area 10%

14km · 600m ascent · 3.8 hrs

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

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 28m
Edinburgh2h 42m

Parking: NS994154

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

18h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:42
Sunset: 21:43
Civil dawn: 03:47
Civil dusk: 22:38

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Green Lowther.

Two-hill day
Green Lowther + Broad Law
Link the Lowthers with Broad Law for a major Southern Uplands circuit crossing the highest ground in the region
24km · 1200m ascent · 9 hrs

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.

Southern Upland Way0.3km

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Around Green Lowther on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Ayr station

Ayrshire coast; Galloway approach via bus/car

57km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Green Lowther — common questions

How hard is Green Lowther?: 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.
Where do I park for Green Lowther?: Standard parking is at NS994154 near Glasgow. 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 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?: 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 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.