Green Lowther and Lowther Hill, Wanlockhead

The Lowther Hills have steep flanks but gentle rolling summits. The two highest, Green Lowther and Lowther Hill, both have radio masts or other impedimentia on their summits - including a (private) tarmac road. This walk climbs both as well as the lower but unspoilt East Mount Lowther; the views are superb.

Terrain

Good hill paths with sections also on private tarred road.

Public Transport

Bus to Wanlockhead from Lanark.

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Start

Wanlockhead. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km/7 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 541m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NS875128

Summits Climbed

Graham / Donald: Green Lowther
Donald: Lowther Hill
Donald: East Mount Lowther

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 329 - Lowther Hills
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins in Wanlockhead - the highest village in Scotland at 467m above sea level. The village was once a lead-mining centre and today houses the Museum of Lead Mining. There is space to park just off the north side of the main road near a garage, whilst the walk begins almost opposite where the Southern Upland Way heads up a track by the cemetery, also signed as a Public Footpath by the Enterkin Pass to Carronbridge.

Stage 2

Follow the track uphill towards the cluster of white houses, and then keep straight ahead (with an old mining structure on the right) to pass through the parking area to the right of the houses. Keep following the Southern Upland Way, which now continues as a grassy path continuing uphill. There are great views back over the village. As the path reaches the flatter ground of Stake Hill it bears slightly right and loses a little height to round the headwaters of a small burn before emerging onto the tarmac road. There are good views ahead of both Green Lowther (topped with a series of masts), and Lowther Hill, which is topped by what looks like a giant golf ball - a radar tracking station.

Stage 3

Head to the right along the road. After a little under 0.5km follow the Southern Upland Way markers as the path heads off to the right once more. Further on the path meets the road twice more and goes straight across both times, short-cutting some bends. When the road is met again for a third time, follow it up towards the golf-ball like structure on the summit - actually a radar tracking station.

Stage 4

Continue on the road, passing through a gate and then at a road junction on the very top(!) turn left. The tarred road is now followed over the minor bump of Green Trough, which has its own summit building, and down a second slight dip before finally rising up to the multitude of masts that sit on the top of Green Lowther.

Stage 5

The trig point here is the highest point in all the Lowther Hills, and if you can avert your eyes from the immediately surroundings the view ranks amongst the most extensive in southern Scotland. Retrace your steps back along the road to the Golf Ball on Lowther Hill, turning right to continue along the road (and not the path) on the descent. After a couple of bends the road reaches another mast; leave the road here for a gravel track that leads down to the col with East Mount Lowther.

Stage 6

From the col a path climbs up to reach the summit of East Mount Lowther. Though lower than its neighbours, this retains its wild appearance. The top is marked by a viewpoint indicator which was built by Wanlockhead Youth Club in 1944. Return to the col but on the reascent beyond fork left to follow a clear path that initially follows the line of telegraph poles. This is the route of the old Enterkin Pass - once a major through route between Dumfries and Glasgow. It eventually rejoins the road and the outward route; keep ahead along the road until the Southern Upland Way diverges to the left - turn down this and follow it back to Wanlockhead.

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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.