Marilyn · Galloway
Hill of Stake
Hill of Stake is the high point of the Renfrewshire Heights at NS27, a 522m moorland whaleback above Largs and Greenock. Its summit looks across the Firth of Clyde to Arran and back to the wind farms of the Muirshiel plateau.
Quick facts
- Height
- 522m/ 1713ft
- Grid ref
- NS 27359 62998
- Parking
- NS 247 722
- Nearest city
- Glasgow· 32km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
blanket bog 50% · heather moorland 35% · grassy summit 15%
From Cornalees Bridge in Muirshiel Country Park follow the Greenock Cut path to Loch Thom, then strike south-west onto the open moor. A pathless slog over peat and bog leads to the trig point on the broad summit.
Terrain
Estate track for the first kilometre, then unrelenting peat hags and rough tussocky moor. Wet feet are guaranteed except in prolonged dry spells.
In winter
Mild Clyde climate but the peat plateau freezes hard and snow lies in the hags. Navigation across featureless moorland is the real winter challenge — compass essential.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow1h 19m
- Edinburgh4h 4m
OS maps: OS Landranger 63, OS Explorer 341N
Mobile signal: Moderate. Renfrewshire Heights; EE intermittent.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:32
- Civil dusk
- 23:08
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Hill of Stake on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Largs station
Cumbrae ferry; Ayrshire coast; Nardini's
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Rothesay
Isle of Bute base; West Island Way; short Glasgow break
19km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Loch Lomond
Alexandria — sprawling distillery on the south end of the loch
21km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Hill of Stake — common questions
- How hard is Hill of Stake?
- Hill of Stake is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Estate track for the first kilometre, then unrelenting peat hags and rough tussocky moor.
- Where do I park for Hill of Stake?
- Standard parking is at NS 247 722. 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 Hill of Stake?
- The standard good-weather months for Hill of Stake 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 Hill of Stake?
- 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 Hill of Stake?
- Moderate. Renfrewshire Heights; EE intermittent.
- Is Hill of Stake safe in winter?
- Mild Clyde climate but the peat plateau freezes hard and snow lies in the hags. Navigation across featureless moorland is the real winter challenge — compass essential.
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