Black Craig

522m Elevation
197m Prominence
Scotland Country
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Explore routes near Black Craig

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Ben Lomond in the trossachs

12.1 km Hard

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Beinn Ime from Succoth

15.1 km ~7h Hard

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The Cobbler from Succoth Carpark

10.5 km ~6h Hard

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Crinan Canal: Bellanoch and Dunardry towpath return

10.6 km ~3h Easy

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

From the Atkinson Memorial

A scenic route starting at the Atkinson Memorial, navigating through lush woodland and opening up to bracken-covered slopes as you approach the summit.

8 km ~3.5 hours Moderate

Via the Glen

Starting from the lovely Glen, this route offers a slightly longer trek but rewards with stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

11.5 km ~4.5 hours Challenging
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Dodd Highland Five

Elevation

522m

1,713 ft

Prominence

197m

Coordinates

55.9405, -5.0183

NS115760

OS Map

63

Explorer: OL37S 363S

At the Summit

The summit is adorned with a substantial stone cairn, which is a popular spot for photographs (and perhaps a cheeky snack if you’ve brought one along).

Terrain & Geology

Grassy with rocky outcrops occasionally boggy in areas

Black Craig is primarily composed of sedimentary rock, with some outcrops exhibiting stunning examples of the regional slate deposits. The geological history tells a tale of ancient seas and dramatic earth movements, which is best understood with a good pair of walking boots and a geology book in hand.

Views & Scenery

Spectacular views of the surrounding Southern Uplands, including the peaks of the Galloway Hills and the distant silhouette of the Isle of Arran on a clear day.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Black Craig' likely originates from its dark, craggy features that make it stand out against the vibrant greens of the surrounding hills.

Historical Significance

The mountain has been a favourite among local walkers for generations, steeped in tales of bygone days and local folklore.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

The nearest parking is at the Atkinson Memorial car park, which can accommodate a decent number of vehicles. It's a popular starting point for various walks in the area.

Public Transport

Limited options available, the closest railway station is in Biggar, roughly 12 km away, followed by a bus or taxi to the parking area.

Nearby Facilities

There are no facilities directly on the mountain, but Biggar offers a range of cafes and shops for pre-hike snacks or post-hike refreshments.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Potential boggy areas particularly after heavy rain; always keep an eye out for sheep who might have had a fun time making your path less clear!

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Black Craig?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Black Craig through the maps

Are there other walkers around Black Craig?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Black Craig search or of course create your own walk for Black Craig

Can I organise a walk to Black Craig?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Black Craig.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Black Craig?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Black Craig here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: NS115760

View on OpenStreetMap

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Nearby Hills

Beinn Ghlas

420m

 The Cobbler [Ben Arthur]

The Cobbler [Ben Arthur]

884m

Beinn Ime

1,012m

Goatfell [Goat Fell]

875m

Beinn Narnain

927m
See 5 more nearby hills