Cairnsmore of Fleet, near Newton Stewart

The Cairnsmore of Fleet is the most southerly two thousand foot hill in Scotland and a magnificent viewpoint for the Cree Estuary and the Solway. It makes for a popular and fairly straightforward hillwalk.

Terrain

Excellent hill path; alternative return mentioned is pathless.

Public Transport

None to start.

Users' reports

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Start

Car park near Graddoch Bridge. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 12.25km/7.5 miles
Time: 3.5 - 5 hours
Ascent: 691m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NX463632

Summits Climbed

Graham / Donald: Cairnsmore of Fleet

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 319 - Galloway South
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a fairly new car park for this hill; to reach it turn off the A75 at Muirfad just south of Palnure. The road bends sharp left to cross the Graddoch burn bridge, and the new parking area is a short distance further on the right hand side. Begin by heading to the far end of the parking lane and turning left onto surfaced track towards Cairnsmore House. Keep right when it forks to pass to the right of the Walled Garden, then take a signed path on the right before reaching the buildings. When this meets a track at the edge of the woods turn left along it; it leads past the original car park behind Cairnsmore.

Photo - Callum Black

Stage 2

After passing through a gate in a wall bear right diagonally across a grassy field, passing through another gate and some mixed woodland before reaching a felled area. Beyond this the path reaches dense forestry plantations and climbs up amongst the trees, making use of a firebreak. Keep straight on through the trees, ignoring any tracks and paths off to the sides and passing a granite seat; the path is clear. At the top end of the plantation the open moorland is reached and the views begin to open up at last.

Photo - Mark McKie

Stage 3

The path reaches a broad ridge; further on it crosses a fence as it begins the ascent of a steeper shoulder. The gradient is eased by several well-made zig-zags. The views back over the Cree estuary are now superb. The ascent begins to ease once more as the path heads up onto the summit plateau and curves round towards the top.

Photo - Mark McKie

Stage 4

The summit is marked by a trig point, an ancient cairn, and a memorial to airmen who have lost their lives in the nine airplanes which have crashed into the Cairnsmore. The views are superb, ranging over much of southern Galloway, and across the Solway Firth with the Isle of Man particularly prominent. The easiest route of return is to retrace your steps; this is recommended for less experienced hillwalkers.

Photo - Walter Baxter

Stage 5

The more experienced might like to vary the return by a rougher, pathless route over the Knee of Cairnsmore. Head along the plateau to this outlying summit, keeping above the much craggier eastern side of the hill. Once at the bronze age cairn descend roughly southwest, eventually picking up a track that leads on and descends just south of the Craddoch Burn. This track leads back down towards Cairnsmore House where the outward route can be rejoined.

Photo - Nick Law

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.