The climb up to Glengonnar Halt from the Nithsdale Valley and Lowther Hill have been included in a new book for cyclists that describes the toughest road hillclimbs in Lowland Scotland. The Cyclist’s Guide to Hillclimbs on Scottish Lowland Roads is the result of more than two years of field visits and research by Scottish author John McKendrick. According to the author, “The book aims to encourage more cyclists to rise to the challenge of road hillclimbing and provides them with the key information needed to tackle each climb. It would be nice to think that with the inclusion of these local climbs in the book, more visitors will think about cycling in the Leadhills”.
In the book, the climb up the climb up to Glengonnar Halt from the Nithsdale Valley is described as starting from the road junction of the A76/B797 at Mennock and rises to the cattle grid at Glengonnar Halt, climbing 1237 feet in 7.2 miles, at an average gradient of 3.3%. Lowther Hill might be even tougher! It is described as starting from Hidden Treasures in Walockhead, and rises to the summit of Lowther Hill, climbing 1152 feet in 2.9 miles, at an average gradient of 7.6% (although public access to this climb is limited). There is no doubt that both climbs are worthy of being listed among the toughest road hillclimbs in Lowland Scotland!
There is a section of the book devoted to climbs in Dumfries and Galloway. The book should be available from local bookshops and cycle shops. More information can also be found by visiting the publisher’s website at http://www.pocketmountains.com.
(With thanks to John McKendrick)