Is Broad Law a hard climb?

Broad Law is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 7km with 380m of ascent and takes most walkers 1-3 hours. Ground conditions: Grassy slopes, no path required.

How much drop does Broad Law have?

The drop is 654m: measured from the summit of Broad Law down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Broad Law?

Park at NT151203 near Peebles. 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 Broad Law?

Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Broad 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 Broad 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: James T M Towill / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Broad Law

The highest hill in the Borders, with a flat-as-a-pancake summit topped by an aircraft beacon. The view of the Tweedsmuir hills rolling away in every direction is the reward. Standard ascent from Peebles covers 7 km with 380 m of climbing.

Quick facts

Height: 840.1m/ 2756ft
Prominence: 654 m
Distance: ~7 km
Ascent: ~380 m
Time: 1–3 hrs
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NT146235
Parking: NT151203
Nearest: Peebles· Dumfries 50km
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 75% · heather patches 20% · summit area 5%

7km · 380m ascent · 2.5 hrs

Direct ascent from the Megget Stone road pass at the head of Talla Reservoir. Pathless grass climb up the south ridge to the radar beacon. Short by Donald standards but exposed to the prevailing wind throughout the upper section.

Terrain

Grassy slopes, no path required. Featureless summit plateau — compass needed in cloud.

In winter

Bleak in winter. Surprisingly serious in cloud or snow because of the featureless plateau.

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

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Broad 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 45m
Edinburgh1h 15m

Parking: NT151203

OS maps: OS Explorer 330

Mobile signal: Excellent summit coverage; strong EE, Vodafone and O2. Telecom mast on the plateau.

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

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Broad Law.

Two-hill day
Broad Law + Cramalt Craig
Easy Tweedsmuir ridge walk linking these plateau tops
14km · 550m ascent · 5 hrs

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Around Broad 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

42km 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.

Broad Law — common questions

Is Broad Law a hard climb?: Broad Law is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 7km with 380m of ascent and takes most walkers 1-3 hours. Ground conditions: Grassy slopes, no path required.
How much drop does Broad Law have?: The drop is 654m: measured from the summit of Broad Law down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Broad Law?: Park at NT151203 near Peebles. 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 Broad Law?: Aim for April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Broad 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 Broad 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 Broad Law?: Excellent summit coverage; strong EE, Vodafone and O2. Telecom mast on the plateau.
Is Broad Law safe in winter?: Bleak in winter. Surprisingly serious in cloud or snow because of the featureless plateau.

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