Is Bodesbeck Law a hard climb?

Bodesbeck Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 544m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: Steep grass face onto the ridge, then a fine narrow watershed of cropped turf.

How much drop does Bodesbeck Law have?

The drop is 101m: measured from the summit of Bodesbeck Law down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Bodesbeck Law?

Park at NT181125. 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 Bodesbeck Law?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Bodesbeck Law. 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 Bodesbeck Law?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Jim Barton / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Bodesbeck Law

Bodesbeck Law forms the southern bookend of the long Bodesbeck Ridge above the Moffat Water. A small cairn sits on a rocky knot at the southern tip of the ridge, with a dramatic drop into the Selcoth Burn glen at your feet.

Quick facts

Height: 664.2m/ 2179ft
Prominence: 101 m
Distance: ~13 km
Ascent: ~544 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT169104
Parking: NT181125
Nearest city: Dumfries· 39km
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

grass moorland 80% · heather patches 15% · summit area 5%

13km · 544m ascent · 3.5 hrs

From the A708 at Capplegill, climb steeply onto the ridge and follow it north to the cairn — a full traverse to Andrewhinney is around 14km with 850m of climb.

Terrain

Steep grass face onto the ridge, then a fine narrow watershed of cropped turf. A faint path runs the spine.

In winter

Stick to the windward side of the ridge.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Bodesbeck Law. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 54m
Edinburgh2h 32m

Parking: NT181125

OS maps: OS Landranger 79

Mobile signal: Good summit signal; EE works well. Southern Uplands moorland summit.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:41
Sunset: 18:18
Civil dawn: 07:04
Civil dusk: 18:55

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Bodesbeck Law on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Tweedbank station

Borders Railway terminus; Eildon Hills, Melrose, Tweed Valley

46km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Bodesbeck Law — common questions

Is Bodesbeck Law a hard climb?: Bodesbeck Law is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 544m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: Steep grass face onto the ridge, then a fine narrow watershed of cropped turf.
How much drop does Bodesbeck Law have?: The drop is 101m: measured from the summit of Bodesbeck Law down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Bodesbeck Law?: Park at NT181125. 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 Bodesbeck Law?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Bodesbeck Law. 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 Bodesbeck Law?: 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 Bodesbeck Law?: Good summit signal; EE works well. Southern Uplands moorland summit.
Is Bodesbeck Law safe in winter?: Stick to the windward side of the ridge.

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