How hard is Culter Fell?

Culter Fell is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 613m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Estate track to the col, then heathery grass and a faint quad-bike trace up the broad shoulder.

Where do I park for Culter Fell?

Standard parking is at NT038157 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 Culter Fell?

The standard good-weather months for Culter Fell are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Culter Fell?

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

How hard is Culter Fell?

Culter Fell is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 613m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Estate track to the col, then heathery grass and a faint quad-bike trace up the broad shoulder.

Where do I park for Culter Fell?

Standard parking is at NT038157 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 Culter Fell?

The standard good-weather months for Culter Fell are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Culter Fell?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Culter Fell

Culter Fell is the highest point in South Lanarkshire, looking down on the Clyde valley and the village of Coulter. A white trig pillar crowns the rounded summit. From the top the eye runs up the Tweed to the Manor Hills and out to Tinto and the western Ochils.

Quick facts

Height: 748.4m/ 2455ft
Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 613 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT052290
Parking: NT038157
Nearest city: Edinburgh
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

heather moorland 60% · grass moorland 30% · rocky summit 10%

14km · 613m ascent · 3.8 hrs

The shortest line starts at Birthwood farm in Culter Glen, taking the estate track east and breaking off up the Hudderstone shoulder. The fine ridge continuation south to Chapelgill makes a four-hour horseshoe.

Terrain

Estate track to the col, then heathery grass and a faint quad-bike trace up the broad shoulder. The fence line on the south ridge is a useful guide when the cloud is down on the top.

In winter

Sits high enough to take a proper coat of snow when frontal systems track south. The summit dome is featureless under white-out; ice glazes the trig pillar and the fence wires sing in the wind. Carry full winter gear December to March.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow1h 24m
Edinburgh1h 10m

Parking: NT038157

OS maps: OS Landranger 72

Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Prominent Lanarkshire hill with clear sight lines.

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

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Culter Fell.

Two-hill day
Culter Fell + Gathersnow Hill
Link two Lanarkshire Donalds in a circular from Culter
14km · 859m ascent · 5 hrs

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Around Culter Fell 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

48km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Culter Fell — common questions

How hard is Culter Fell?: Culter Fell is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 613m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Estate track to the col, then heathery grass and a faint quad-bike trace up the broad shoulder.
Where do I park for Culter Fell?: Standard parking is at NT038157 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 Culter Fell?: The standard good-weather months for Culter Fell are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Culter Fell?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Culter Fell?: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Prominent Lanarkshire hill with clear sight lines.
Is Culter Fell safe in winter?: Sits high enough to take a proper coat of snow when frontal systems track south. The summit dome is featureless under white-out; ice glazes the trig pillar and the fence wires sing in the wind. Carry full winter gear December to March.