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Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

Corbett
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
797 m (2614 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NX59449796
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
164 of 222 Corbetts
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Big cairn like peak of the alder covered valley
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  77   Dalmellington & New Galloway, Galloway Forest Park
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Cairnsmore of Carsphairn lies close to Carsphairn, on the A713 road from Ayr to Castle Douglas, from where a track leads onto its SW slopes.

Cairnsmore of Carsphairn is a gently rounded hill (there are some crags to the SE of the summit) surrounded by folds in its slopes that are not quite ridges.

The true ridges run S to Black Shoulder turning W to Dunool, and N to Currie Rig. Thus the main axis of this hill is N-S.

Hazards you may encounter on Cairnsmore of Carsphairn include
 Crags near summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

The approach to Cairnsmore of Carsphairn from the "Green Well of Scotland" to the south west of the hill in August 2008.

© Robert Mitchell
Image by Robert Mitchell

Summit trig point and cairn. 29/01/10.

© Mike Reynolds
Image by Mike Reynolds

The north and east slopes of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn - taken from Windy Standard.

© Leon Mooney
Image by Leon Mooney

View on the descent from the summit, looking down the wall with Dunool on the left

© Leon Mooney
Image by Leon Mooney
View All 7 Images for Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Southern Uplands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		Lake District
by Met Office 		Skiddaw
by Metcheck
Cairnsmore of Carsphairn Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
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sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Cairnsmore of Carsphairn.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 698 m 12.10 km 4 hrs Cairnsmore of Carsphairn  This short easy route to Cairsmore of Carsphairn should give few navigational problems  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

  Baggers Gallery for Cairnsmore of Carsphairn

Just six days ago I was at the top of Creag Each wearing nothing more than shorts and a t- shirt. Now I'm in trousers and a fleece jacket at the top of Carsphairn. The summer is well and truly over!

© Gavin White
Image by Gavin White

March 12th, 2014. I took one without the shades as well, but I think I look better with them. I hope this is helpful

© Nick Bulbeck
Image by Nick Bulbeck

Summit trig point 10/02/12

©

Image by

Eileen at summit with low cloud swirling around. 19/08/2011

© Eileen Stark
Image by Eileen Stark
View All 9 Baggers Images for Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
The logging section stores any entries for Cairnsmore of Carsphairn in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
robin scott on 17 Jun 2023

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 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
by Graham Ellis

Post a few words about Cairnsmore of Carsphairn or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
James Corrigan
wrote on
February 12, 2011
Started off from Bridgend where there is a farm house. Park neatly across the road, then go through the farm yard and on to some waterlogged ground full off cattle. We skirted the beasts and their mucky pool by taking the line of trees to the right. Then on a landrover track up to around 800ft. You meet a stone dyke. Take that and it will lead you directly to the summit. The incline is steep and relentless. Trig pillar inside a large cairn with another large cairn 100yards ahead of this. The route down was worth the doing for some great views over to the Merrick and Rinds Of Kells. Made a nice change from the highlands.
Mike Watson
wrote on
August 22, 2010
The bridge is repaired now although its not a bridge any more.
Leon Mooney
wrote on
October 17, 2006
Enjoyable climb - the ascent was in ever-thickening fog, and I stumbled upon the summit almost without realising. The cairn just next to the trig point seems unnecessary and spoils the top a little. Weather cleared for my descent (same route). Note - about 800m from Bridge-end there is a broken bridge, so you have to wade across Benloch Burn or use the rocks.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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  Route Write-Ups
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