How hard is Swatte Fell?

Swatte Fell is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 598m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Open sward right from the lay-by; the only sustained climb is the first 200 metres above the road.

Where do I park for Swatte Fell?

Standard parking is at NT121130 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 Swatte Fell?

The standard good-weather months for Swatte Fell 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 Swatte Fell?

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

How hard is Swatte Fell?

Swatte Fell is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 598m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Open sward right from the lay-by; the only sustained climb is the first 200 metres above the road.

Where do I park for Swatte Fell?

Standard parking is at NT121130 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 Swatte Fell?

The standard good-weather months for Swatte Fell 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 Swatte Fell?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Trevor Littlewood / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Swatte Fell

Swatte Fell sits on the rim of the Devil's Beef Tub — the great glacial amphitheatre above the source of the River Annan. The unmarked top lies a few paces from a pair of ruined wall stubs and looks straight down a 250-metre drop into the Tub.

Quick facts

Height: 729.9m/ 2395ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 598 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT118113
Parking: NT121130
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 · 598m ascent · 3.6 hrs

A short steep approach from the A701 lay-by above the Beef Tub takes you onto the rim. From there walk the airy edge north-east to the summit. Continuing to Hart Fell gives a fine half-day rim walk.

Terrain

Open sward right from the lay-by; the only sustained climb is the first 200 metres above the road. Trip hazard is the bracken-hidden mole runs that pock the slope.

In winter

The rim of the Beef Tub develops genuinely substantial cornices in north-east blizzards. Stay back from the edge; people have gone over here in white-out conditions. SAIS Southern Uplands gives the corrie forecast for the inner Moffats.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 47m
Edinburgh2h 31m

Parking: NT121130

OS maps: OS Landranger 78

Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Southern Uplands watershed.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:41
Sunset: 21:41
Civil dawn: 03:46
Civil dusk: 22:36

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Swatte Fell 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

49km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Swatte Fell — common questions

How hard is Swatte Fell?: Swatte Fell is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 598m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Open sward right from the lay-by; the only sustained climb is the first 200 metres above the road.
Where do I park for Swatte Fell?: Standard parking is at NT121130 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 Swatte Fell?: The standard good-weather months for Swatte Fell 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 Swatte Fell?: 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 Swatte Fell?: Good signal on summit; EE reliable. Southern Uplands watershed.
Is Swatte Fell safe in winter?: The rim of the Beef Tub develops genuinely substantial cornices in north-east blizzards. Stay back from the edge; people have gone over here in white-out conditions. SAIS Southern Uplands gives the corrie forecast for the inner Moffats.