Corbett · Borders
Hart Fell
Hart Fell is the high point of the Moffat Hills west of the Tweed source, a 808m Corbett rising on the Dumfries-shire/Borders boundary above the Devil's Beef Tub. The summit is a trig point on a broad grassy plateau, but what defines the hill is its steep north-east face dropping into the Corehead valley and the famous Devil's Beef Tub — a vast natural amphitheatre where local cattle reivers once hid stolen herds. The view extends across the Southern Uplands, into England, and on clear days to the Lake District fells.
Quick facts
- Height
- 808m/ 2651ft
- Prominence
- 200 m
- Distance
- ~13 km
- Ascent
- ~650 m
- Time
- 4–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NT113135
- Parking
- NT060124
- Nearest
- Edinburgh· Dumfries 40km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
rim path 35% · grassy ridge 40% · plateau 15% · trig point 10%
Start from the Devil's Beef Tub viewpoint lay-by on the A701 north of Moffat. Follow the public path north-east along the rim of the Beef Tub onto Annanhead Hill, then continue along the broad grassy ridge over Great Hill to the summit trig of Hart Fell. Around 13km return with some 650m of climbing. The day can be extended over Swatte Fell and White Coomb for a long Moffat Hills traverse.
Terrain
The path along the Beef Tub rim is firm with old fence posts providing useful handrails. The ridge is short cropped grass and sheep-grazed turf throughout — easy walking with no rocky steps. Keep well back from the rim of the Beef Tub on Annanhead Hill — the drop is sudden and unfenced. No exposure on the broad summit plateau itself.
In winter
A typical Southern Uplands winter hill — gentle gradients but exposed to bitter easterly winds. Snow drifts on the leeward side of fences and can build deep on the ridge. Cornicing forms along the Beef Tub rim after westerly storms — keep well clear. The A701 is gritted and reliable; the lay-by accessible in all but the worst snow.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 45m
- Edinburgh1h 29m
OS maps: OS Landranger 78
Mobile signal: Reliable signal at the Beef Tub lay-by; usable throughout the ridge
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 06:17
- Sunset
- 20:12
- Civil dawn
- 05:38
- Civil dusk
- 20:51
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 August 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Hart Fell.
Around Hart Fell on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Hart Fell — common questions
- How hard is Hart Fell?
- We grade Hart Fell at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. The usual route is around 13km with 650m of climbing; allow 4-7 hours. Ground conditions: The path along the Beef Tub rim is firm with old fence posts providing useful handrails.
- How much drop does Hart Fell have?
- The drop is 200m: measured from the summit of Hart Fell down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Hart Fell?
- Park at NT060124 near Edinburgh. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Hart Fell?
- Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Hart Fell. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Hart Fell?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Hart Fell?
- Reliable signal at the Beef Tub lay-by; usable throughout the ridge
- Is Hart Fell safe in winter?
- A typical Southern Uplands winter hill — gentle gradients but exposed to bitter easterly winds. Snow drifts on the leeward side of fences and can build deep on the ridge. Cornicing forms along the Beef Tub rim after westerly storms — keep well clear. The A701 is gritted and reliable; the lay-by accessible in all but the worst snow.
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