Walk 3751 - printer friendly version

Tinto (northern approach) Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.5 miles / 7.3 km

Ascent - 1500 feet / 455 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference NS965365
Lat 55.6110540 + Long -3.6446406
Postcode ML12 6PD (approx. location only)

This walk to the summit of Tinto (711 metres) in South Lanarkshire is a popular half day excursion to an excellent viewpoint. This route takes the northern approach and follows clear paths with a steady ascent of the hill. Tinto is an isolated, conical hill on the west bank of the River Clyde.

The start is a small car park (grid ref. NS965365) which lies on a minor road south of the A73 near the Tinto Hill Tearoom. After parking pass through the gate at the southern end of the car park to join a clear path soon passing a bench. The path heads south up the northern flank of Totherin Hill (479 metres). As you gain height you pass a cairn on the left. You can make a short diversion to the cairn before re-joining the main path.

The gradient eases for a short distance before climbing again to reach a path junction (grid ref. NS956354) with the steep sided valley of Maurice's Cleuch below on your right. Take the left fork and continue up the main path. As you gain height the path runs alongside a fence on your right. A steeper section of path leads to the summit which has a large cairn, a trig column which is not the highest point and a topograph which indicates all the main features in view. In fine weather the view includes the Lake District, the mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland, Ailsa Craig, and Arran in the Firth of Clyde, the Arrochar Alps and as far north as Lochnagar in the Cairngorms.

During your time at the summit, you can often see hang gliders and paragliders. The return route follows the clear path used for the ascent. An alternative path from Wiston on the south side of the hill can be used for descent. This path is steeper and indistinct in places - Tinto from Wiston (southern approach. Also, this descent requires the use of two cars.

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.