Cornish Hill Walk
Distance: ?
The 1,532 feet Cornish Hill is situated 21 miles southeast of Ayr next to the B741 road that runs between the Villages of Straiton and Newton Stewart. The Stinchar Bridge is about 1,000 ft above sea level, so the actual hike up Cornish Hill from there is about 500 ft.
The Stinchar Bridge, and large Car Park, just in to the left here, are situated 7 miles south of the scenic village of Straiton, next to the B741 road,
That is the start of the Cornish Hill trail leading into the forest at the T sign.
The forest road to the left here leads to Loch Braden, Loch Riecawr and Loch Doon, named the Carrick Forest Drive.
There is a large car park across the road from the start of the Cornish Hill trail, , that can hold about 30 cars. The bridge, leads into the woodland part of the walk. There are a few seating areas here for picnics.
The woodland walk is about 1 mile long, passing a Memorial Cairn and seating areas.
When you clear the trees, the man made path continues all the way to the top of the hill, and down to Cornish Loch. Think this is the only hill in Ayrshire with a man made path all the way to the top.
You pass a false summit, before reaching the main summit The first thing that attracts your eye from the summit is the 2,520 ft Shalloch-on-Minnoch to the southeast, and the 2,766 ft Merrick in the distance behind that.
is of Cornish Loch. The man made path runs down to the loch where there is a boating hut. The rocky hill over to the right of the loch is the 1,768 ft Craigmasheenie. The hills in the distance are Carlin's Cairn and Corserine.
is northeast is the 1,666 ft Shiel Hill. There is no path up that hill, only deep heather and a few sheep trails to follow. Shiel Hill has about ten false summits, a bit like climbing a step pyramid.
If you fancy extending your walk to that hill, you have to cross a narrow burn at the loch via stepping stones, may be difficult if there has been a lot of rain.
is from Cornish Hill summit looking at the trail back down to the Stinchar Bridge.
is looking at the trail as it winds its way down into the woodland.