Is Green Hill a hard climb?

Green Hill is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sheep pasture lower down giving way to coarse grass and patches of heather on the rounded crown.

How prominent is Green Hill?

Green Hill has 158m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Green Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Green Hill are March, 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 Hill?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary

Photo: Alan O'Dowd / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Galloway

Green Hill

Green Hill rises to 588m on the NS-square upland above the Nethan Water, an unobtrusive South Lanarkshire summit east of Lesmahagow. Its prominence puts it firmly on the Marilyn list despite a low-key profile.

Quick facts

Height: 588.1m/ 1929ft
Prominence: 158 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NS 86254 12536
Nearest city: Dumfries· 38km
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 moorland 60% · heather patches 30% · boggy ground 10%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

From the minor road south of Crawfordjohn or the Logan estate tracks, a steady haul over rough pasture and grassy moor leads to the broad summit. Reckon on two to three hours; navigation in cloud needs care across the featureless plateau.

Terrain

Sheep pasture lower down giving way to coarse grass and patches of heather on the rounded crown. Drainage is poor in places after rain.

In winter

Below 600m the snow rarely lingers, but the plateau holds wind chill. Frosted tussocks and standing water both freeze and need watching underfoot.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Green 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 40m
Edinburgh2h 8m

OS maps: OS Landranger 71, OS Landranger 78, OS Explorer 329

Mobile signal: Good. South Lanarkshire; EE reliable.

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 Green 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

53km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Green Hill — common questions

Is Green Hill a hard climb?: Green Hill is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Sheep pasture lower down giving way to coarse grass and patches of heather on the rounded crown.
How prominent is Green Hill?: Green Hill has 158m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Green Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Green Hill are March, 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 Hill?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Green Hill?: Good. South Lanarkshire; EE reliable.
Is Green Hill safe in winter?: Below 600m the snow rarely lingers, but the plateau holds wind chill. Frosted tussocks and standing water both freeze and need watching underfoot.

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