Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

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Summary

There is Cairnsmore O Fleet and Cairnsmore O Dee and Cairnsmore O Carsphairn - the greatest of the three; or so says an old rhyme. The Cairnsmore of Carsphairn is a grassy summit that rises high above its nearest neighbours; it offers a short ascent with excellent views.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Landrover track for approach; rough grassy ground on the hill, largely pathless but alongside walls or fences for part of the distance. Some boggy ground particularly on the return.

Public Transport

Bus 520 (Castle Douglas to Ayr) passes the start.

Start

Green Well of Scotland. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 3 - 5 hours
Ascent: 656m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NX557944

Summits Climbed

Corbett / Donald: Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (16)

Stage 1

The walk starts from the A713 at the bridge over the Water of Dee, approximately 1km north of Carsphairn village. There is parking for several cars on the old road opposite the track at the start of the walk at Bridge-end. Begin by carefully crossing the road and taking the track past Bridge-end opposite (signed as a core path to the Cairnsmore of Carsphairn). When the new construction track climbs to the right, keep left on the old track that runs upstream by the river.

Stage 2

The track leads through a gate and passes to the left of an old barn. After another gate it crosses the Benloch Burn and continues up the glen, passing through another gate. There are views to Willieanna and Dunool - the foothills of the Cairnsmore. Keep along the track, passing through another gate.

Stage 3

When almost alongside Willieanna leave the track at a convenient point and strike off up pathless grassy slopes up towards the top of this rounded hill. Cross the bald summit area, bearing left to meet a drystone wall. Follow the wall to the left, descending briefly but steeply to a narrow bealach, where a gate leads through a fence heading left from the wall.

Stage 4

Continue up the left side of the wall for the steep ascent of Dunool beyond. There are superb views looking back towards Corserine and the Rhinns of Kells.

Stage 5

Pass a small cairn and continue by the wall, descending very slightly and then climbing up onto Black Shoulder, where the wall becomes a fence. Continue by the left side of the fence until a cairn where the fence cuts off right towards the Nick of the Lochans. From here ascend northwards up pathless grassy ground intespersed with many outcrops of granite.

Stage 6

The summit is marked by two large cairns, one shelter cairn with a trig point constructed along a drystone dyke, and a second cairn slightly apart. The views are excellent, both back to the Rhinns of Kells, down to the Solway, and northwest to Ayr, Arran and Ailsa Craig.

Stage 7

To make a more direct return, follow the left side of the drystone dyke/wall to the southwest. The going is boggy in places; follow the wall right down to reach a footbridge over the Polsue Burn. On the far side follow the wall to the right across some wet ground until the end of a landrover track is picked up. This leads quickly back across the western slopes of Dunool, eventually rejoining the outward route and returning to the start.

Route Profile

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