How hard is Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]?

We grade Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Surfaced path and short grass throughout.

How much drop does Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] have?

The drop is 168m: measured from the summit of Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]. 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 Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

Photo: Ian Dodds / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Borders

Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]

Cairnpapple Hill, 312m, is the NS-prefix archaeological summit of the Bathgate Hills in West Lothian — a low landmark crowned by a 5,000-year-old henge and Bronze Age cairn managed by Historic Environment Scotland.

Quick facts

Height: 312m/ 1024ft
Prominence: 168 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NS 98755 71148
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 27km
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 slopes 60% · heather 25% · archaeological site 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A short walk from the Cairnpapple Hill visitor car park follows the path past the henge to the trig point above. Around 1km return, 30-40 minutes.

Terrain

Surfaced path and short grass throughout. The summit ring is fenced as the site is protected — keep off the cairn itself.

In winter

Open to the central-belt weather but easy underfoot in any conditions. The car park can be locked outside HES opening times in winter.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple 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 38m
Edinburgh1h 7m

OS maps: OS Landranger 65, OS Explorer 349E

Mobile signal: Good. West Lothian; EE excellent.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 09mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:44
Sunset: 19:37
Civil dawn: 06:06
Civil dusk: 20:15

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Callander

Trossachs gateway — Ben Ledi, Stuc a Chroin, Rob Roy Way

51km from the hill

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Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] — common questions

How hard is Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]?: We grade Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Ground conditions: Surfaced path and short grass throughout.
How much drop does Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] have?: The drop is 168m: measured from the summit of Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]. 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 Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]?: 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 Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill]?: Good. West Lothian; EE excellent.
Is Ballencrieff Hill [Cairnpapple Hill] safe in winter?: Open to the central-belt weather but easy underfoot in any conditions. The car park can be locked outside HES opening times in winter.

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