What difficulty is Cairnkinna Hill?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Cairnkinna Hill comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Ground conditions: Sheep-cropped pasture and broken heather with a band of scree around the upper crag.

How much drop does Cairnkinna Hill have?

The drop is 163m: measured from the summit of Cairnkinna 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 Cairnkinna Hill?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Cairnkinna 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 Cairnkinna Hill?

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

By Gary

Photo: Rab McMurdo / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Galloway

Cairnkinna Hill

Cairnkinna Hill reaches 554m on the NS-grid Nithsdale uplands north-west of Thornhill, an underused Dumfriesshire summit close to the Scaur Water. Its open aspect repays the walker with views over to Queensberry and the Lowthers.

Quick facts

Height: 554m/ 1818ft
Prominence: 163 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NS 79101 01857
Nearest city: Dumfries· 32km
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

heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 10%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from Penpont or the back lanes towards Tynron and follow estate tracks before breaking out onto the open hill. Two and a half to four hours covers the walk; the upper slopes are pathless but firm.

Terrain

Sheep-cropped pasture and broken heather with a band of scree around the upper crag. Drainage is reasonable for the area.

In winter

A reliable winter walk that stays under most snow lines. The exposed summit ridge catches the prevailing wind, so a wind-shell matters more than crampons.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Cairnkinna 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 42m
Edinburgh3h 30m

OS maps: OS Landranger 78, OS Explorer 329

Mobile signal: Good. Dumfriesshire; EE reliable — Vodafone also gives a signal here.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 06mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:45
Sunset: 19:37
Civil dawn: 06:08
Civil dusk: 20:14

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Cairnkinna Hill 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

49km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Kirkcudbright

Galloway base — Solway coast, Galloway Forest, Mull of Galloway Trail

52km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Cairnkinna Hill — common questions

What difficulty is Cairnkinna Hill?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Cairnkinna Hill comes in at 2/5 — moderate. Ground conditions: Sheep-cropped pasture and broken heather with a band of scree around the upper crag.
How much drop does Cairnkinna Hill have?: The drop is 163m: measured from the summit of Cairnkinna 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 Cairnkinna Hill?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Cairnkinna 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 Cairnkinna 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 Cairnkinna Hill?: Good. Dumfriesshire; EE reliable — Vodafone also gives a signal here.
Is Cairnkinna Hill safe in winter?: A reliable winter walk that stays under most snow lines. The exposed summit ridge catches the prevailing wind, so a wind-shell matters more than crampons.

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