Dumglow Walk via Windy Gate
Dumglow is an unavoidable point in the area of The Cleish Hill. The Cleish Hills straddle the boundary between Perth & Kinross and Fife. Made up of tussocky grass moorland they have a real hill feel to them despite not being particularly high. The highest point Dumglow lies within Perth and Kinross, but at 339m the nearby Park Hill is the seventh highest hill within Fife. Although Park Hill could be approached from the Fife side, it is probably best included with an ascent of Dumglow.
Description
Start : End of the forest track at grid ref NT 093 971 on the Cleish road. There is space for a couple of cars in laybys or on the verge at this point.
(S) Head up the forest track West for around 1.3 Km with views left across to Dummifarline. Keep straight on at an obvious track junction after around 700m.
The track now starts to deteriorate and becomes nothing more than a wet path as it crosses an open area. On the far side of the cleared area, the path re-enters the forest and is a bit drier before reaching a more obvious grassy track.
Go right on the grass track for about 70m to reach a firebreak. Turn left into the firebreak where a path soon starts to appear. Ignore a chink of daylight to your left and follow the muddy path to your right through dark trees. It will soon bring you to the edge of the forest at Grid ref. NT 069 967.
(1) At this point you can head straight for Dumglow or include either or both, the Georgeton Hills and Park Hill. (A)
Follow a feint track uphill to the summit of the Georgeton Hills in front of you. Continue Southwards to cross a wall / fence on to pathless terrain.
(2) Head over the rise of Black Hill and down to a rather wet dip with Park Hill in front of you. It is probably easiest ascended by keeping left and tackling it by its eastern slope.
(3) From Park Hill summit descend down the eastern slope but bear right so that you are heading towards the bulk of Dumglow rather than back to Black Hill. The wall / fence needs to be negotiated again as does some wet ground. Aim for the grif ref. NT 072 964 where you can pick up the path to the foot of Dumglow.
(4) From the foot of Dumglow, the easiest line of ascent is on the left hand side of the wall which runs up the hill where a grass path can be followed around to the north side. From the north there are a couple of points where the barb wire fence can be easily crossed to reach the summit. (B) After enjoying take the same way back (E)
Waypoints
- S : km 0 - alt. 215 m - Cleish Road
- 1 : km 2.35 - alt. 265 m - Alternative Way
- 2 : km 3.22 - alt. 318 m - Black Hill
- 3 : km 3.85 - alt. 329 m - Park Hill
- 4 : km 4.64 - alt. 289 m - Foot of Dumglow (view on the Black Loch)
- E : km 5.14 - alt. 365 m - Dumglow - Dumglow
Useful Information
Start : End of the forest track at grid ref NT 093 971 on the Cleish Road. There is space for a couple of cars in laybys or on the verge at this point.
Terrain: Grassy hill paths which can be wet and muddy, plus some forest track. Off path moorland walking is required if you want to go across to Park Hill.
Parking : At the starting point on the Cleish Road, there is space for a couple of cars in laybys or on the verge at this point.
(A) Alternative path (shorter) : This alternative path cut straigh to Dumglow Summit. This is another approach through the forest, keeping straight on at the first junction, and crossing the felled wet area described above. Re-enter the forest on a rough path until you meet with the grassy track where the white ribbons are.
Turn left on to the track and follow it to a clearing at its termination. To your left is the start of a not so obvious track through the forest heading South-East towards Dumglow. Once on the track it is easier to follow although it can be wet and rough in places. The track gains height before turning right when you reach the north east corner of Dumglow. A grassy track now heads directly up the hill, crosses the fence and takes you to the summit.
Find more information and walk ideas at Fife here.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
(B) Dumglow : Dumglow (379 m) is the highest peak of the Cleish Hills in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It is located north of Dunfermline. An ancient fort lies on its summit.
