Glen Trool: Merrick via Little Spear and Benyellary

Tony Brotherton

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Glen Trool: Bruce's Stone - Gairland Burn - Loch Enoch - Little Spear - Merrick - Benyellary - Culsharg Bothy - Bruce's Stone

Merrick via the North Face! This challenging trek eschews the usual 'tourist route' up Southern Scotland's highest mountain and instead makes a scenic ascent via the valley of the Gairland Burn, past Lochs Valley, Neldricken, Arron and Enoch and climbs Little Spear at 2,755ft before tackling Merrick's 2,764ft. The descent is via Benyellary (2,360ft) and the Culsharg Bothy.

Please note that there are no refreshments available on this walk; these may be found at the Glentrool Visitor Centre at Stroan Bridge, though please note that from 2012 there is now a charge to park here). There are toilet facilities here.

For local weather forecasts and other relevant information and services go to www.gallowaymrt.org.uk for Galloway Mountain Rescue's excellent website.

Scotland - South Scotland - Dumfries and Galloway - Galloway Forest Park

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Moor, Mountains, National Trust, River, Waterfall, Wildlife, Woodland
7/11/2011 - Shaun McKittrick

There's no doubt, this is a tough walk and good sturdy waterproof footwear is required. Despite an extended period of dry weather, it was quite soggy underfoot until we reached the top of the mountain. The 'tourist route' back down the mountain is pretty well maintained and no problems. Some stunning views and it's nice to make climbing this mountain into a circular route instead of up and back by the tourist route. It was nice while passing some of the Lochs on the way up just to pause, enjoy the view and have a snack and yarn. Very dog friendly and with a good part of the route passing alongside running fresh water, they'll not go thirsty on warm days. Once small problem at Point 13 - when you climb over the wall and fence, you can't actually see the wall referred to at Point 14 in the distance. We ended up climbing up alongside the wall we had just climbed over at Point 13 then turning right and cutting across Redstone Rig that way. When we were alongside the second/biggest bit of land/island in Loch Enoch we turned sharp left and made for the obvious gap between large stones and went to the top of Merrick that way. We started at 10.30am and were back at the car for 6.30pm. Great day out. Many thanks to the author.