Marilyn · Galloway
Hods Hill
Hods Hill stands at 569m on the NT/NS watershed near Crawfordjohn, a rounded South Lanarkshire summit overlooking the upper Clyde basin. Its sweep of moorland makes for a quiet outing far from the better-known Lowthers to the east.
Quick facts
- Height
- 569m/ 1867ft
- Grid ref
- NT 00075 09907
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 34km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
heather moorland 60% · grass slopes 30% · rocky summit 10%
From the back roads at Crawfordjohn or the wind-farm tracks to the south, follow rising moorland onto the broad ridge and along to the summit cairn. Three hours covers a round; bearing skills help on the featureless top in mist.
Terrain
Heather and bog-cotton cover the upper slopes with occasional peat hags around the watershed. Wind-farm service roads ease the lower approach.
In winter
Bitter winds funnel through this gap between the Lowthers and the Clyde hills. Hard frost firms the bogs but black ice on the access tracks is the bigger hazard.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 8m
- Edinburgh2h 48m
OS maps: OS Landranger 78, OS Explorer 330
Mobile signal: Good. South Lanarkshire; EE gives reasonable coverage. Vodafone also works here.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 21:58
- Civil dawn
- 03:33
- Civil dusk
- 22:57
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Hods Hill — common questions
- How hard is Hods Hill?
- Hods Hill is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Heather and bog-cotton cover the upper slopes with occasional peat hags around the watershed.
- When is the best time to climb Hods Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Hods 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 Hods Hill?
- 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 Hods Hill?
- Good. South Lanarkshire; EE gives reasonable coverage. Vodafone also works here.
- Is Hods Hill safe in winter?
- Bitter winds funnel through this gap between the Lowthers and the Clyde hills. Hard frost firms the bogs but black ice on the access tracks is the bigger hazard.
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