Walk 24 - Merrick walking and hiking route
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Walk Instructions
Start:At the Bruce’s Stone car park at the end of the
surfaced road in Glen Trool. (GR 416803)
Refreshments: Café at Glentrool Visitor Centre or the
House o’ Hill pub at Bargrennan.
One of the best hill walks in South West
Scotland, leading to its highest summit with
magnificent panoramic views. There are options
for a longer loop walk over rough terrain.
1. From the car park, the Merrick path is signposted
and leads up at first above the Buchan Burn but then
alongside it at some attractive rocky pools and small
waterfalls. On the opposite side of the burn there are
some very impressive dry-stone walls that incorporate
some huge granite boulders. The path heads
leftwards away from the burn through forest before
emerging at a clear area near Culsharg Bothy.
2. From Culsharg, the path climbs steeply to a forest
track which leads a short distance rightwards across a
small stream before the path turns off left into forest
again, climbing steeply before emerging onto the
open hillside. A further two hundred vertical metres of
climbing leads up to a stone wall which is followed to
the top of Benyellary at a height of 719m (2359ft).
3. The route ahead to Merrick is now visible. The ridge
connecting Benyellary to Merrick is called the Neive of
the Spit and leads easily across to the final pull up to
the summit of Merrick which is marked by an Ordnance
Survey trig point and a large shapeless cairn.
4. This is the highest point in South-West Scotland
at 843m (2766ft) and has magnificent views in all
directions. On a clear day you can see Ailsa Craig,
Arran and the Trossachs to the north, the Mull of
Galloway and the Mountains of Mourne to the west,
the Isle of Man and the Lake District fells to the south
and the ridge of the Rhinns of Kells to the east.
The normal descent from Merrick is to retrace your
steps along the ascent route but there are more
adventurous alternatives for experienced walkers who
do not mind rough terrain and boggy sections. These
alternative routes should not be attempted in misty
conditions when navigation becomes very difficult.
5. The descent via the ridge called the Rig of Loch
Enoch is highly recommended and much less boggy
than the Loch Valley route described below.
From Merrick’s summit, head east down the broad
ridge called Redstone Rig towards Loch Enoch. Trend
southwards towards the bottom to reach a shallow
valley with stone walls. The far side of this valley is the
top of the Rig of Loch Enoch. When you reach the
ridge, look back towards the bottom of the Redstone
Rig and you should be able to make out the face
of the Grey Man of Merrick on the edge of a rock
outcrop. Work your way south-westwards along the
ridge with an occasional faint track to follow. There
are good views down to Loch Neldricken with the
“Murder Hole” at its west side and Loch Valley lower
down. The ridge ends at the summit of Buchan Hill
with views back down Loch Trool. Descend steeply to
the south-west and you will arrive at a track that leads
back rightwards to your starting point.
6. In dry weather, the descent via Loch Valley makes
a good alternative route. From Merrick, drop down
Redstone Rig to reach the south shore of Loch Enoch.
A small, steep-sided valley leads rightwards past
Craig Neldricken and past Loch Arron. Follow the
small stream down from Loch Arron to reach faint
paths that skirt the “Murder Hole” on the side of Loch
Neldricken then onwards past Loch Valley to follow
the Gairland Burn before cutting across a broad ridge
back into Glen Trool. A short section of good track
leads back to the starting point.
It would be a great help to future walkers if
you could record any inaccuracies you come across
during this walk and report them to reception so that
appropriate amendments can be made. Thank you
for your help. Happy walking.
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Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.
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