How difficult is Gathersnow Hill?

Gathersnow Hill carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 18km, 750m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: Short turf and bilberry on the rounded top, with deeper heather on the eastern flank towards Glenholm.

How prominent is Gathersnow Hill?

Gathersnow Hill has 211m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.

Where should I park to climb Gathersnow Hill?

Standard parking is at NT057266. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When should I climb Gathersnow Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Gathersnow 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 Gathersnow Hill?

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

By Gary

Photo: Jim Barton / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Gathersnow Hill

Gathersnow Hill sits at the head of the Holms Water on the eastern arm of the Culter Fell range. True to its name, snow lingers in the corrie north of the cairn long after the surrounding hills have cleared. A weathered fence corner doubles as a windbreak.

Quick facts

Height: 689.5m/ 2262ft
Prominence: 211 m
Distance: ~18 km
Ascent: ~750 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT058256
Parking: NT057266
Nearest city: 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 80% · heather patches 15% · summit area 5%

18km · 750m ascent · 4.9 hrs

The standard approach is from Coulter village by way of Culter Fell, traversing south along the watershed for an in-out tag. About 18km return with 750m of climb if linked with Culter Fell.

Terrain

Short turf and bilberry on the rounded top, with deeper heather on the eastern flank towards Glenholm. The Culter Fell to Gathersnow ridge is wide and forgiving underfoot.

In winter

Long-lying snow patches are the namesake here — drifts in the north-east hollow can persist into May. Whiteout disorientation on the broad top is a real risk; the fence north back to Culter Fell is the safest bail line.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Gathersnow Hill. 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

Glasgow1h 27m
Edinburgh1h 15m

Parking: NT057266

OS maps: OS Landranger 72

Mobile signal: Good signal throughout; count on EE. Fine views across Pentlands and Moorfoot.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

15h 13mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:17
Sunset: 20:12
Civil dawn: 05:38
Civil dusk: 20:51

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 August 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Gathersnow Hill.

Two-hill day
Gathersnow Hill + Culter Fell
Link two Lanarkshire Donalds in a circular from Culter
18km · 750m ascent · 5 hrs

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Around Gathersnow 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

50km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Gathersnow Hill — common questions

How difficult is Gathersnow Hill?: Gathersnow Hill carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 18km, 750m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: Short turf and bilberry on the rounded top, with deeper heather on the eastern flank towards Glenholm.
How prominent is Gathersnow Hill?: Gathersnow Hill has 211m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
Where should I park to climb Gathersnow Hill?: Standard parking is at NT057266. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When should I climb Gathersnow Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Gathersnow 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 Gathersnow Hill?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Gathersnow Hill?: Good signal throughout; count on EE. Fine views across Pentlands and Moorfoot.
Is Gathersnow Hill safe in winter?: Long-lying snow patches are the namesake here — drifts in the north-east hollow can persist into May. Whiteout disorientation on the broad top is a real risk; the fence north back to Culter Fell is the safest bail line.

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