How difficult is Dun Rig?

Dun Rig carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 14km, 608m of ascent and a 4-6 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: A genuine path runs the length of the Glensax ridge — a rarity in the Borders.

How prominent is Dun Rig?

Dun Rig has 242m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Dun Rig?

Standard parking is at NT204262. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Dun Rig?

The standard good-weather months for Dun Rig 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 Dun Rig?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

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

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Donald · Borders

Dun Rig

Dun Rig is the prized objective of the long ridge that runs south from Peebles between the Glensax and Manor valleys — wonderful walking country on a clear day. The bare grassy mound at the top is a fine spot to take in the upper Tweed.

Quick facts

Height: 742.7m/ 2437ft
Prominence: 242 m
Distance: ~14 km
Ascent: ~608 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT253315
Parking: NT204262
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 42km
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

heather moorland 55% · grass moorland 35% · rocky summit 10%

14km · 608m ascent · 3.8 hrs

The classic line is the Glensax Round from Peebles itself, a 22 km horseshoe taking in Hundleshope Heights, Stake Law and Dun Rig before returning along the Birkscairn ridge. Shorter variants start at Kirkhouse on the Manor road.

Terrain

A genuine path runs the length of the Glensax ridge — a rarity in the Borders. The going is short pasture and dry peat with very few wet sections. Easy gradients but a long walk in.

In winter

Easterly snow showers off the North Sea plaster the ridge before the western hills see anything; check Met Office Mountain forecast. Once white, the broad rolling top loses its features and dead reckoning is essential.

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

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Dun Rig. 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 46m
Edinburgh1h 1m

Parking: NT204262

OS maps: OS Landranger 73

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:41
Sunset: 18:17
Civil dawn: 07:03
Civil dusk: 18:54

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Dun Rig 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

30km 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.

Dun Rig — common questions

How difficult is Dun Rig?: Dun Rig carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 14km, 608m of ascent and a 4-6 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: A genuine path runs the length of the Glensax ridge — a rarity in the Borders.
How prominent is Dun Rig?: Dun Rig has 242m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Dun Rig?: Standard parking is at NT204262. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Dun Rig?: The standard good-weather months for Dun Rig 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 Dun Rig?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
Is Dun Rig safe in winter?: Easterly snow showers off the North Sea plaster the ridge before the western hills see anything; check Met Office Mountain forecast. Once white, the broad rolling top loses its features and dead reckoning is essential.

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