Hill walk routes to climb in SW Scotland - also coastal paths and National Scenic Areas with maps, pictures and other useful information based on extensive local knowledge

Some routes we have used on the Awful Hand Range
Maps of other routes - Site Homepage - Other Galloway Walks - Map of Galloway
We normally look for routes along ridges that get us up onto the tops and keep us there as much as possible without too may descents and re-ascents. We also try to make our routes circular so that we start and end at the same place but don't have to return over the same route as we went out.
This route along the Awful Hand is linear in that you start and end at quite different places. This means using 2 cars. It is the only route that we have yet done this on in the South West of Scotland (we had planned a day to do the whole of the Rhinns of Kells in one session and got a group organised to do this, but on the day the weather was disgusting). For the Awful Hand we dropped one car at Glentrool and took the 2nd one up to an old quarry some two and a half kilometers short of Stinchar Bridge on the road up from Glentrool.
Mouseover the map to see the route we took. To go to the page describing a walk along the Awful Hand click here.
The scale of heights on the left is used on the maps on this page.
The map on the right shows the route which is most commonly taken up the Merrick. It is a linear route - you come back down the same way as you went up. It is signposted at the car park.
Because it is the highest hill in the South of Scotland this route is one of the most heavily used and eroded paths in the area. On a summer's day you could well find a couple of dozen folk at the top of Merrick or somewhere along the route, often dressed in totally unsuitable gear, but enjoying the challenge nevertheless. That is busy by the way by Galloway standards.
Mouseover map to see the route. This route is part of that shown in both "Merrick via the Lochs" and "Merrick via Buchan Hill Ridge" and further information on it will be found there.
This route via the lochs is also quite popular. When you leave the parking place at Bruce's Stone you follow the road down to the Loch and head eastward towards Glenhead. After a short distance you will see a sign directing you to the left for the lochs. Follow this track round the side of Buchan Hill and thence up the Gairland Burn. This section along the burn is usually pretty wet and muddy, even in the summer. From Loch Enoch you take the Redstone Rig up onto Merrick and from Merrick you follow the popular Benyellary route back down.
Mouseover Map to see the route. To go to the "Lochs Route onto Merrick" page click here.
For this route you again head down towards the Loch but as soon as you cross the bridge over the Buchan Burn you should enter the gate on your left, by the spectacular lightning-blasted tree.
Of course circular routes can be done either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Although this route is shown as heading up Buchan Hill first you could just as well head up Merrick first and if you are likely to be coming back into the sunset then clockwise might be the best since you can get spectacular sunsets along the Buchan Hill ridge with it's views both east and west.
Mouseover map for the route. To go to "Buchan Hill route onto Merrick" click here.

This is a rather sneaky route. To get to the parking place you have to drive up a very rough forest road from Clatteringshaws Loch. It's Forrestry Commission ground and you may find the gate closed and locked when you get back down to it at the end of the day! So if you are willing to take the chance head on up past the Backhill of Bush bothy to the foot of Meikle Craigtarson and look for the handiest fire break. Of course you could walk in and spend the night at the bothy - though I have seen better kept ones. Mouseover map to see route.
Walks Home - Awful Hand Walk - Awful Hand Maps - Dungeons - Merrick by Buchan Ridge
Merrick by the Lochs - Rhinns of Kells - Maps of other routes
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