How hard is Hillshaw Head?

We grade Hillshaw Head at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 16km with 700m of climbing; allow 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: Grass and peat-hag plateau with the fence as the only navigation feature.

How much drop does Hillshaw Head have?

The drop is 54m: measured from the summit of Hillshaw Head down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.

Where's the parking for Hillshaw Head?

Park at NT051253. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.

What's the best month to climb Hillshaw Head?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Hillshaw Head. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Hillshaw Head?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

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

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Donald · Borders

Hillshaw Head

Hillshaw Head joins the Culter Fell ridge to Coomb Dod and the Megget watershed on the long Tweedsmuir spine. A modest cairn ten metres east of the watershed fence marks the highest patch of grass on a wide rolling top.

Quick facts

Height: 652m/ 2139ft
Prominence: 54 m
Distance: ~16 km
Ascent: ~700 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT048246
Parking: NT051253
Nearest city: Dumfries· 49km
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%

16km · 700m ascent · 4.4 hrs

Most often climbed from the Culter Fell side, traversing along the watershed fence for an out-and-back. About 16km return with 700m of climb when linked with Culter Fell.

Terrain

Grass and peat-hag plateau with the fence as the only navigation feature. Some wet sections in the saddle west of the summit.

In winter

Long-lying snow patches in the hollows north of the cairn. The fence is the lifeline in whiteout — there is nothing else to orient by on the plateau.

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

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Hillshaw Head. 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 17m

Parking: NT051253

OS maps: OS Landranger 72

Mobile signal: Good summit signal; EE seldom drops. Fine Tweedsmuir moorland viewpoint.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:42
Sunset: 18:19
Civil dawn: 07:05
Civil dusk: 18:56

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Hillshaw Head 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

52km 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.

Hillshaw Head — common questions

How hard is Hillshaw Head?: We grade Hillshaw Head at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 16km with 700m of climbing; allow 3-6 hours. Ground conditions: Grass and peat-hag plateau with the fence as the only navigation feature.
How much drop does Hillshaw Head have?: The drop is 54m: measured from the summit of Hillshaw Head down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
Where's the parking for Hillshaw Head?: Park at NT051253. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
What's the best month to climb Hillshaw Head?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Hillshaw Head. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Hillshaw Head?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Hillshaw Head?: Good summit signal; EE seldom drops. Fine Tweedsmuir moorland viewpoint.
Is Hillshaw Head safe in winter?: Long-lying snow patches in the hollows north of the cairn. The fence is the lifeline in whiteout — there is nothing else to orient by on the plateau.

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