Knockendoch to Criffel loop
Knockendoch to Criffel loop
4.6
(32)
188
hikers
Knockendoch to Criffel loop
04:06
12.3km
550m
Hiking
Embark on the Knockendoch to Criffel loop, a moderate hike spanning 7.7 miles (12.3 km) with an elevation gain of 1815 feet (553 metres), typically completed in 4 hours and 5 minutes. This rewarding route takes you through a mix of paths, tracks, and open hillside, offering superb viewpoints from…
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
73 m
Sweetheart Abbey Ruins
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
4.00 km
Knockendoch Summit
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
5.57 km
Criffel Summit
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
6.89 km
Gate to the Southern Uplands
Highlight • Trail
Tip by
9.67 km
Loch Kindar
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
12.3 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
6.67 km
3.48 km
1.16 km
426 m
367 m
199 m
Surfaces
4.28 km
3.54 km
2.14 km
1.31 km
518 m
464 m
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Elevation
Highest point (560 m)
Lowest point (20 m)
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Weather
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Tuesday 5 May
12°C
4°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
Demanding summit hike Tip: long pants and waterproof hiking boots
A long awaited ascent of Criffel across the Solway from the Lake District near Dumfries. Criffel is the ever present lump on the horizon when you glance out towards Scotland from any fell in the North-Western Lake District and I've always wanted to see what the Lake District fells look like from over there. The plan was to pick a sunny clear day and find out. The Criffel forecast was for sunshine, as was the Skiddaw forecast for the Lakes. TODAY WAS THE DAY! 🎉 But mother nature said no and we won't argue with her 😂 it was a pleasant outing all the same even though half our goal remains unachieved thanks to thick clag. We will return 😁
We have been looking across the Solway Firth at Criffel since we moved to the Lakes six months ago. It is the most prominent hill visible along the Dumfries and Galloway coast. We had to go and climb it. Don't climb Criffel without climbing Knockendoch as well - it is a much nicer hill. Unfortunately the view south today was obscured by mist. We'll just have to come back.