Screel Hill

Screel Hill (344m) can be found near Dalbeattie. It offers excellent views over the Solway Firth with the Cumbrian hills in the background.

There is a good sized car park for Screel Hill, which is used for both Screel Hill and Bengairn. Both hills can be done together on a circular walk. If you intend to do both, it is best to use the Screel Hill route to go up and the Bengairn route to come back down. The following describes the route up Screel Hill only.

Start by following the good track as it winds up the hill and ignore a turning to the left. When you reach a gate, rather than going through it, take the smaller path to the right, which winds up through a birch wood.

When you reach the track, the original path heads straight over, however, due to storm damage, this route is closed. We did check it out, and some trees are down blocking the path.

Instead, turn left and follow the track as it contours the southwest of the hill.

The views from the bench are fantastic.

When you reach the finger post on the right, leave the track and take the path as is carries on climbing the contour of the hill.

The views back to the Firth of Solway are beautiful.

The path eventually turns right for the final pull up the hill, there is a small scramble before the large cairn comes into view.

There are great views over Auchincairn Bay and Rough Firth.

The views northwest are the Galloway Hills.

It is 3km with 330m of ascent to reach the summit of Screel Hill.

Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.