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White Top of Culreoch from the grasslands to the east

White Top of Culreoch from the grasslands to the east


Postby Robertgee » Wed Jan 26, 2022 8:21 pm

Sub 2000' hills included on this walk: White Top of Culreoch

Date walked: 20/01/2022

Time taken: 3.5 hours

Distance: 6.73 km

Ascent: 240m

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2022-01-20 @ 08-52-01.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



A usual parking place for the walk to White Top of Culreoch is at the high point on the Gatehouse of Fleet to Laurieston road. From here most folk will walk back along the road a little (south) and turn onto the track heading west. This gives access to the hill from the south, or if you continue along the track into the forest, it's possible to use forest rides to climb the hill from the west. My walk was to be different, choosing to climb the hill from the east, through the grasslands between Benowr and Craig of Grobdale.

From the usual parking place, I followed the road northeast until a left turn took me onto the track for Grobdale of Girthon.

03-Craig of Grobdale.jpg
Craig of Grobdale from the parking spot


06-Benowr and Ewe Hill.jpg
Starting along the track to Grobdale of Girthon


Next, after crossing a cattle grid and stream, a left turn took me onto an ATV track which was the start of the climb to reach the upper slopes of Benowr. There are number of ATV tracks all over the place here abouts, though there doesn't seem to be one going in the right direction. I'd checked satellite images of the area beforehand, so was able to follow some well used tracks, and also using others which haven't been used for years. The area was pleasant to walk and the sections between good tracks had no issues. I followed tracks to the right of the stream previously crossed on the main track to Grobdale of Girthon, and only crossing it again to make my way to the slopes of Benowr.

10-Craig of Grobdale with the White Top of Culreoch to the far right.jpg
Good track near the start of the grasslands section of the walk. Craig of Grobdale on the left and White Top of Culreoch far away on the right


14-Good track to follow heading for Benowr.jpg
Nice track heading straight for Benowr


16-Nick of Knock.jpg
Looking into the Nick of Knock below Benowr


17-Bengray, Fell of Laghead and Craig of Grobdale.jpg
Over Fell of Laghead towards Bengray from below Benowr


18-Nice path below Benowr looking to Craig of Grobdale.jpg
Path below Benowr, looking to Craig of Grobdale


25-View north to Cairnsmore of Dee, Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and Loch Skerrow.jpg
Cairnsmore of Dee, Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and Loch Skerrow from col between White Top of Culreoch and Benowr


From below Benowr a path runs along it's south side, turning up to the col between it and White Top of Culreoch. Then a good ATV track goes straight up to the northeast summit of White Top of Culreoch.

31-The two summits of White Top of Culreoch.jpg
The two summits of White Top of Culreoch


36-White Top of Culreoch main summit from northeast top.jpg
White Top of Culreoch summit from the northeast top


41-Toward Wigtown Bay from the col.jpg
Toward Wigtown Bay from the col between the two summits of White Top of Culreoch


Good views from here, but the true summit lies to the southwest. To get there, follow the ATV track southwards till a low point, then turn right to drop down into the col between the two tops. There's a barbed wire fence to be crossed, and the best spot is to head to the left till you reach a section where the barbed wire has been tied to the fence wire below it. This makes for the easiest crossing point, but you may wish to use a barbed wire cover to make things even easier and safer. Once over turn right and follow a faint path, but when the slope up White Top of Culreoch, on the left, becomes easier, turn up it and pick a good route to the summit. From here enjoy the view. :clap:

47-Screel Hill and Bengairn from below White Top of Culreoch summit.jpg
Screel Hill and Bengairn


49-Over Craig of Grobdale and Fell of Laghead to Bengray from White Top of Culreoch.jpg
Over Craig of Grobdale and Fell of Laghead to Bengray


53-Merrick and Fell of Fleet from White Top of Culreoch.jpg
Merrick, far distance on the left, and Fell of Fleet


56-Wigtown Bay and Cairnharrow from White Top of Culreoch.jpg
Toward Wigtown Bay and Cairnharrow


57-Cairnharrow, Cambret Hill and Pibble Hill from White Top of Culreoch.jpg
Cairnharrow, Cambret Hill and Pibble Hill


58-Cairnsmore of Dee, Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and Loch Skerrow from White Top of Culreoch.jpg
Cairnsmore of Dee, Cairnsmore of Carsphairn and Loch Skerrow


60-Cairnsmore of Fleet, Millfore and the Merrick from White Top of Culreoch.jpg
Cairnsmore of Fleet


62-Criffel, Bainloch Hill and Bengairn from White Top of Culreoch.jpg
Criffel, Bainloch Hill and Bengairn
Robertgee
Walker
 
Posts: 81
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Joined: Dec 5, 2015

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