peaks	Tinto (707m, Donald/Graham)
ascent	455m (1,500ft)
distance	5km (3m)
time	running : 35mins, walking : 2hr*  *Naismith's rule : 4km/h distance + 600m/h ascent
profile	view profile of the main route
location	view map of location
start/finish	Wiston (grid ref : NS957322)
maps/guides	This area is covered by 1 OS Landranger 1:50000 or 1 OS Explorer 1:25000 map :
GPX data	download a GPX file of the main route
terrain	easy difficult
navigation	easy testing
effort	stroll long day
scenery	ok stunning
images	view photos of the route and hills

main route summary
Tinto sits alone above the Clyde Valley and as such affords stunning views in all directions from its huge untidy cairn. It is straightforward to ascend from the south or north, but the southern approach is prefered choice due to its quietness and lack of boot traffic.


main route outline

Getting to Wiston
Halfway between Abington Services (just off the M74) and Biggar on the A73/A72, the B7055 heads north-west. Drive along this, winding past several houses until you reach the entrance of Winston Lodge. There is space to park a couple of cars here. Alternatively, with permission, you can park in the lodge's grounds.

Tinto
Walk into the lodge grounds on the track and head north, keeping the lodge on your right-hand side. The slightly mucky track passes a house on your left and comes to a waterboard hut, where there is a slightly hidden sign pointing the route up to Tinto. Follow the edge of a forest up a couple of fields with occasional sodden ground. Beyond the forest and on a path, start climbing up grassy ground. The path starts to zig-zag and enters heather, leave it and head for a double fence-line ahead. Keeping to the fence-line avoids some scree and therefore causing undue errosion. Follow the fence-line to the summit with its trig-point, huge cairn and vast panorama.

Return
Return by the same route, taking in the vast views as you descend.