How hard is Erie Hill?

Erie Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 566m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Smooth ridge grass with occasional peat hag in the dips.

Where do I park for Erie Hill?

Standard parking is at NT128185 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 Erie Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Erie 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 Erie Hill?

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

How hard is Erie Hill?

Erie Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 566m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Smooth ridge grass with occasional peat hag in the dips.

Where do I park for Erie Hill?

Standard parking is at NT128185 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 Erie Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Erie 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 Erie 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: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Erie Hill

A subsidiary top on the long undulating watershed between Talla and the Megget — Erie Hill is rarely climbed in its own right, but most parties tagging Hillshaw Head or Gathersnow pass over it. A small mossy cairn sits in a patch of bare ground.

Quick facts

Height: 690m/ 2264ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 566 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT124187
Parking: NT128185
Nearest city: Dumfries
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 · 566m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Almost always combined with Talla Cleuch Head and Hillshaw Head from the Megget Stone, taking a high traverse across the watershed. Around 11km for the three tops, with 600m of total climb.

Terrain

Smooth ridge grass with occasional peat hag in the dips. A line of old wooden fenceposts marches across the watershed and serves as the main route-finding feature.

In winter

Wreaths of snow build along the fence-line and can drift to a metre after south-westerly gales. In clag the rolling top can confuse — keep the fence on hand at all times.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 41m
Edinburgh1h 21m

Parking: NT128185

OS maps: OS Landranger 78

Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Smooth Moffat Hills area hill.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 52mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:40
Sunset: 21:42
Civil dawn: 03:45
Civil dusk: 22:37

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Erie Hill 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

Erie Hill — common questions

How hard is Erie Hill?: Erie Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 566m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Smooth ridge grass with occasional peat hag in the dips.
Where do I park for Erie Hill?: Standard parking is at NT128185 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 Erie Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Erie 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 Erie Hill?: 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 Erie Hill?: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Smooth Moffat Hills area hill.
Is Erie Hill safe in winter?: Wreaths of snow build along the fence-line and can drift to a metre after south-westerly gales. In clag the rolling top can confuse — keep the fence on hand at all times.