Walk 185 – Cornish Hill & its Loch – 3.4 miles

The download/follow button on this post contains an affiliate link from which I make a small commission. More info in the Privacy Policy – linked in footer. 

A brilliant and fairly easy circular walk from the Stinchar Bridge to the top of Cornish Hill, returning via the secluded and peaceful Cornish Loch. A good path the whole way, boggy in places. Fantastic views on a clear day!

NOTE: Part of this trail is currently closed due to forestry works meaning there is no access to complete the loop. It is still possible to walk from the car park to the hill summit and back the same way, which is also a very nice walk and gives you all the views. Expected to be closed until end Feb 2024. More info here.

Dog-friendly walk

Parking at Stinchar Bridge car park, Straiton to Bargrennan Road. No public transport to start point.


WALK REPORT: 9TH DECEMBER 2018

It was a great feeling being able to finally get around to a walk that had been stagnating on my to-do list for months (years!)  The weather forecast predicted a cold, crisp, blue sky kind of day and that seemed perfect for a bit of exploring. On arrival, there was a little more cloud cover than I had hoped and I began to wonder if leaving the waterproofs at home had been a bad move. 

From the moment I set eyes on the Stinchar falls I knew this was going to be a good walk! There had been significant rainfall in recent days which meant the cascade was sufficiently impressive! 

Stinchar Falls

Across the bridge and into the mossy forest we went. Beautiful! We spotted a couple of fairy doors near the bottom. Not sure whether there are more and we missed them or if there are only two….. 

One of two fairy doors we passed…. 
One of my favourite things…. a forest floor carpeted in vibrant green fluffy moss! 

As we emerged from the forest to open moorland, we could see that a lot of deforestation had taken place some time ago. I understand why this is done, but I can never avoid scowling at the ugliness left behind. “This must have been so pretty with all the trees” I’ll often say. There were also loads of uprooted trees; rows and rows of them. Must be a windy place! 

After walking for around an hour, we finally got our first glimpse of Cornish Hill. Certainly not as spectacular-looking as others I’ve seen, but the views around us were stunning! 

First glimpse of Cornish Hill as we emerged from the forest
Looking back towards Loch Braden

What a nice surprise to arrive at the summit to a view over Loch Cornish, the blue sky reflecting beautifully in the still water. Glad that we opted for the circular route, we headed down to the banks of the loch where we enjoyed some Wotsits next to someone’s discarded Halloween pumpkin. My friend reminded me that leaving them out in nature was what we were supposed to do…. Rather remote we thought, a fair distance to go to discard your pumpkin, surely somewhere more discreet would have sufficed?! Speaking of remote, discreet and discarding things….. at the very start of the walk we also came across someone’s discarded used condom. Lovely…. 😮 

Down by Loch Cornish…. discarded pumpkin visible to the left behind the tuft of grass! Otherwise, a beautifully remote, wild and tranquil spot. 

To the left of the above photo, a burn can be seen flowing from the loch. There is something that feels special about being at the source of a river: seeing it’s humble beginnings and knowing how it looks further downstream in all it’s wide and raging glory. This one was the Water of Girvan, which I had first experienced in Straiton whilst doing the Craigengower walk. On returning home and doing some research, I found out that Loch Cornish is in fact NOT the source of the Girvan….. the smaller ‘Loch Girvan Eye’ further south is it’s true start point. Damn! 

As we followed the Girvan downstream, we took some time to enjoy it’s many cascades before completing the circuit in perfect time to enjoy sunset from the car with a slice of rocky road! 

Share This Post

Support the continued creation of free, high quality content on this website by becoming a Patron or by making a one-off donation.