How hard is Chapelgill Hill?

Chapelgill Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 572m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Quad-bike trace links Chapelgill to the parent hill — pleasant going in dry weather.

Where do I park for Chapelgill Hill?

Standard parking is at NT056299 near Edinburgh. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Chapelgill Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Chapelgill Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Chapelgill Hill?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Chapelgill Hill?

Chapelgill Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 572m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Quad-bike trace links Chapelgill to the parent hill — pleasant going in dry weather.

Where do I park for Chapelgill Hill?

Standard parking is at NT056299 near Edinburgh. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Chapelgill Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Chapelgill Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Chapelgill Hill?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: wrobison / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Chapelgill Hill

Chapelgill is a neat little outlier south of Culter Fell, sandwiched between Culter Glen and the headwaters of the Holms Water. The summit is unmarked — just a patch of trampled bare earth — but the perspective back along the Culter Fell ridge is one of the best in South Lanarkshire.

Quick facts

Height: 697.8m/ 2289ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 572 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT067303
Parking: NT056299
Nearest city: Edinburgh
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

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

13km · 572m ascent · 3.6 hrs

Combine it with Culter Fell in the obvious round from Birthwood, dropping south off Culter's summit over Cardon Hill and Hudderstone to claim Chapelgill, then back down by the Holms Water tributaries.

Terrain

Quad-bike trace links Chapelgill to the parent hill — pleasant going in dry weather. The summit itself is bald earth and short cropped sward where the sheep concentrate.

In winter

A snow-shower magnet in cold polar maritime air — bright squalls of graupel hammer the Culter ridge before sun returns minutes later. Bring waterproof shells and goggles for these conditions.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 24m
Edinburgh1h 8m

Parking: NT056299

OS maps: OS Landranger 72

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 53mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:40
Sunset: 21:43
Civil dawn: 03:45
Civil dusk: 22:38

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Chapelgill Hill on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Edinburgh Haymarket

West-end Edinburgh; Highland departures; Murrayfield

46km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Chapelgill Hill — common questions

How hard is Chapelgill Hill?: Chapelgill Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 572m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Quad-bike trace links Chapelgill to the parent hill — pleasant going in dry weather.
Where do I park for Chapelgill Hill?: Standard parking is at NT056299 near Edinburgh. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Chapelgill Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Chapelgill Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
Can I bring my dog up Chapelgill Hill?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is Chapelgill Hill safe in winter?: A snow-shower magnet in cold polar maritime air — bright squalls of graupel hammer the Culter ridge before sun returns minutes later. Bring waterproof shells and goggles for these conditions.