Marilyn · Galloway
Steygail
Steygail tops out at 573m on the NS-grid hills bordering the Douglas Water in southern Lanarkshire. Its bracketed shoulder above the Glespin road gives the summit more presence than the modest height suggests.
Quick facts
- Height
- 573m/ 1880ft
- Grid ref
- NS 88869 08427
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 33km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
heather moorland 55% · grass slopes 35% · rocky summit 10%
A direct line from Glespin or from the forestry tracks at Parishholm climbs grassy slopes through forestry breaks onto the rounded top. Two to three hours suffice; expect rough underfoot on the open moor sections.
Terrain
A mixture of conifer plantation, felled blocks, and tussocky moorland. Forestry edges can be tangled where windblow has left debris.
In winter
Snow cover is sporadic and rarely deep, but the surrounding plantations funnel wind into bitter blasts. Felled ground freezes into uneven traps.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 49m
- Edinburgh2h 7m
OS maps: OS Landranger 71, OS Landranger 78, OS Explorer 329
Mobile signal: Good. South Lanarkshire; EE reasonable.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 21:59
- Civil dawn
- 03:33
- Civil dusk
- 22:58
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Steygail on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Steygail — common questions
- How hard is Steygail?
- Steygail is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: A mixture of conifer plantation, felled blocks, and tussocky moorland.
- When is the best time to climb Steygail?
- The standard good-weather months for Steygail 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 Steygail?
- 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 Steygail?
- Good. South Lanarkshire; EE reasonable.
- Is Steygail safe in winter?
- Snow cover is sporadic and rarely deep, but the surrounding plantations funnel wind into bitter blasts. Felled ground freezes into uneven traps.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.