Walking the Whangie & Auchineden Peak, Scotland

One afternoon my husband and I were looking to get outside and explore some of the hills near Glasgow. Some research and planning on AllTrails showed me this interesting trail to something called ‘The Whangie’ in the Kilpatrick Hills.

It looked like a super interesting rock formation that’s kind of unusual to see in the UK and this unusual Scottish Landscape tempted us both to head out and explore.

Located in the Kilpatrick Hills, the Whangie is a unique rock feature that boasts spectacular views of Loch Lomond, the Highlands and the Campsies. The gap, or ravine between two rock walls, extends for over 91 meters, with rocks towering up to 12 meters high on either side.

It’s pretty cool to walk through and is an easy walk with some great views and I highly recommend this easy walk in Scotland if you’re looking to get outdoors and stretch your legs.

If you are looking for walks near Loch Lomond that are a bit easier than Ben Ledi or Ben Lomond, then this is a must. Not only is the climb dramatic with its stunning views there is an exciting story behind it which involves the devil!

Below, I’ve included everything you need to know about walking The Whangie in Scotland.

How to get to the Whangie, Kilpatrick Hills

The Whangie is near Glasgow and just a 25-minute walk from the banks of Loch Lomond and around 30 minutes from Glasgow.

When it comes to how to get to the Whangie from Glasgow, simply follow the A809 to the Queens View car park.

There is a reasonably sized car park just off the A809 called the Queens View car park. Parking is free and there are great views from the car park itself, which only get better as you explore the hike to The Whangie.

What’s the story behind the Whangie?

The Whangie is a unique rock formation in the Kilpatrick Hills near Glasgow and not only does it have an interesting name, but it’s got an interesting story too.

As local legend would have it, the devil was once very angry with a local witch named Jenny Lum for not inviting him to a party she had organised.

In a fit of rage, the devil flew over the Kilpatrick hills, thrashing his tail as he went.

The tail sliced through the rocks, creating the narrow ravine that is now known as The Whangie!

Despite the fantastical origins of The Whangie, geologists have a more scientific explanation for how it came to be.

Geologists say The Whangie formed due to glacial activity during the ice ages. This freeze-thaw action caused the rock to break off from the main cliff and form the ravine you see today.

Regardless of how it was formed, The Whangie is a cool place to walk to and you’ll also get great views of the hills nearby including Conic Hill, the Campsie Fell Hills and Loch Lomond.

What to know before doing the Whangie walk

In addition to checking the weather for the Whangie here are several other things you should know before attempting the walk:

• Always practice leave no trace ethics and pack out anything you take with you.
• Stick to pre-existing trails to avoid eroding the landscape
• Always pack layers and waterproofs – this is Scotland after all!
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
• Make sure you walk with your 10 essentials.

Navigating while on the trail: You can find this hike on AllTrails which is my usual go-to for planning my hikes, navigating, checking trail conditions and, if hiking solo, making sure others know I’m safe. The OS Map app is one of the best hiking apps for trails in the UK and is just like having hundreds of OS maps in your pocket!

Walking the Whangie and Auchineden Peak in the Kilpatrick Hills

Hiking The Whangie is a great way to get outdoors and explore the Kilpatrick Hills near Glasgow while discovering a unique rock formation.

The hike begins at Queensview car park and you’ll easily be able to see the trail as it winds up the hill in front of you.

Cross over the wooden sty and begin hiking uphill at a generally moderate elevation. The path is typically not so muddy, to begin with, but does get muddy further on and is especially boggy at the top, so make sure you’ve got good boots on!

After the initial climb, the trail levels off a bit and you can choose to either go towards the right at a fork in the trail which takes you to The Whangie, or head left and go up to Auchineden Hill and return via The Whangie.

We went to the right first to check out The Whangie before heading up Auchineden Hill.

There’s a bit of climbing here but nothing too much and before long you’ll round the corner and be able to see the Whangie ahead of you.

Walk up to the Whangie and enjoy exploring the nooks and crannies in this unique rock formation. You can walk right through the centre of it to come out the other side too!

The walls of The Whangie have been used by rock climbers for years so you may see some bolts and other tell-tell tales of climbing activity.

After walking through The Whangie you can either head straight back down to the car park or you can walk through the Whangie and follow the trail as it climbs uphill to the top of Auchineden Hill.

You get some great views from up here and it’s a great way to make the hike a little longer.

The top of Auchineden Hill is super boggy so if you didn’t wear good shoes maybe give this a miss or be prepared for wet feet!

Afterwards, follow the path back down the hill from the top of Auchineden Hill which brings you out at the fork in the trail where you went right to begin with.

Stats for the Whangie walk

The Whangie and Auchineden Hill

• Distance: 4.7 km
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation: 191 m
• Whangie Trail map on AllTrails+

What to pack for walking the Whangie

Though an easy walk in Scotland, it’s important you’re prepared for any accidental injuries and inclement weather. You should also wear good hiking boots or trail runners as the terrain is very boggy, and be sure to pack your midge spray if you’re hiking this in spring/summer!

What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.

• Check out my day hike packing list here.
• If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
• Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
• Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
• If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
• You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
• You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
• Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.

Final thoughts on hiking the Whangie

Hiking The Whangie is an easy walk near Loch Lomond which has amazing views of the surrounding hills and takes you to a super cool and unusual rock formation.

The Whangie also has a unique and interesting story which is fun to tell your hiking friends about as you do the walk.

Once you reach the Whangie you can explore its nooks and crannies or climb to the top of the Whangie, or continue the walk up to the top of Auchineden Hill.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or simply looking for a short, memorable walk, The Whangie is a great walk in Scotland for all abilities.

FAQs about The Whangie