How hard is Pykestone Hill?

Pykestone Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 604m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Springy mat-grass and the occasional cropped molinia bog along the watershed.

Where do I park for Pykestone Hill?

Standard parking is at NT168288 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 Pykestone Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Pykestone Hill 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 Pykestone Hill?

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

How hard is Pykestone Hill?

Pykestone Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 604m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Springy mat-grass and the occasional cropped molinia bog along the watershed.

Where do I park for Pykestone Hill?

Standard parking is at NT168288 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 Pykestone Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Pykestone Hill 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 Pykestone 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: Adam Ward / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Pykestone Hill

Pykestone is the next summit along the Manor ridge north of Dollar Law, marked by a small cairn beside a weathered concrete trig pillar. Its name probably derives from the pike-shaped boundary stone nearby — a marker for the old shire boundary that still runs along the watershed.

Quick facts

Height: 737m/ 2418ft
Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 604 m
Time: 4–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT173312
Parking: NT168288
Nearest city: Edinburgh
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

grass moorland 80% · heather patches 15% · summit area 5%

14km · 604m ascent · 3.8 hrs

Best joined to Dollar Law and the Manor Hills horseshoe from Glenrath; a slightly shorter line drops into the Stanhope Burn at the col with Drumelzier Law. The cairn is easily walked past on autopilot in mist.

Terrain

Springy mat-grass and the occasional cropped molinia bog along the watershed. The county march fence stays close on the eastern side and is the safest reference in cloud.

In winter

A wind-flayed top that strips the snow into hard sastrugi ridges. Cornicing is rare here as the contours are too gentle. The colder months can offer some of the best walking conditions when frost has set the boggy cols.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 36m
Edinburgh1h 2m

Parking: NT168288

OS maps: OS Landranger 72

Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Part of the Manor Hills ridge.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 54mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:39
Sunset: 21:42
Civil dawn: 03:44
Civil dusk: 22:38

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Pykestone Hill.

Two-hill day
Pykestone Hill + Dollar Law
Manor Hills ridge linking multiple Donalds
16km · 650m ascent · 5.5 hrs

On a long-distance route

Pykestone Hill sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.

Southern Upland Way1.3km

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Around Pykestone 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

38km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Pykestone Hill — common questions

How hard is Pykestone Hill?: Pykestone Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 604m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Springy mat-grass and the occasional cropped molinia bog along the watershed.
Where do I park for Pykestone Hill?: Standard parking is at NT168288 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 Pykestone Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Pykestone Hill 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 Pykestone 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 Pykestone Hill?: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Part of the Manor Hills ridge.
Is Pykestone Hill safe in winter?: A wind-flayed top that strips the snow into hard sastrugi ridges. Cornicing is rare here as the contours are too gentle. The colder months can offer some of the best walking conditions when frost has set the boggy cols.