Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen up White Coomb: route map, distance and time
822 m · Dumfries and Galloway
White Coomb is the 822m high point of the Moffat hills and of Dumfriesshire, climbed past the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall and Loch Skeen.
A stepped path climbs beside the waterfall gorge to Loch Skeen. You cross the burn and follow a wall up Rough Craigs to the top.
Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen at a glance
| Distance | 5.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 472 m |
| Time up | 1h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Grey Mare's Tail car park |
| Start grid reference | NT 183 149 |
| Summit grid reference | NT 163 150 |
Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 45m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:07. Start by 14:07 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04. Start by 14:04 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
White Coomb summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 13 mph gusting 16 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:07.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 34 mph, 39% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04.
Best day of the next seven for Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 16 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour White Coomb forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb White Coomb?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Southern Uplands forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About White Coomb
White Coomb is the 822m high point of the Moffat hills and of Dumfriesshire, climbed past the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall and Loch Skeen. More about White Coomb, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Corbett, Donald, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Lochcraig Head (801 m), 2.7 km north
Challenges that include White Coomb
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NT 183 149, the summit at NT 163 150), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen: questions and answers
How far is Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen?
Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen is 5.6 km one way to the summit of White Coomb, with 472 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.2 km.
How long does Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen take?
About 1h 55m to the summit of White Coomb and 3h 0m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 45m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen?
Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen starts from Grey Mare's Tail car park. The grid reference is NT 183 149.
Is Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen today?
By 14:07 at the latest. Sunset on White Coomb today is 18:07, Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen takes about 3h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Grey Mare's Tail via Loch Skeen?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).