How difficult is Wind Fell?

Wind Fell carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 14km, 600m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: A line of broken fence-posts crosses the summit and the ridge alternates between firm turf and short patches of peat hag.

What is Wind Fell's prominence?

92m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Wind Fell to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Wind Fell?

Most walkers start from NT191071. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Wind Fell?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Wind Fell. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Wind Fell dog-friendly?

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

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Colin Park / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Wind Fell

Wind Fell sits east of Loch Fell on the Ettrick watershed, its name justified — the top is fully exposed to anything blowing in from the west. A patch of mossy turf in place of a cairn, with a small windbreak built by passing shepherds.

Quick facts

Height: 665.2m/ 2182ft
Prominence: 92 m
Distance: ~14 km
Ascent: ~600 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT178061
Parking: NT191071
Nearest city: Dumfries· 36km
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%

14km · 600m ascent · 3.8 hrs

Linked routinely with Loch Fell from the Berrybush road, traversing along the watershed fence. About 14km return with 600m of climb for the pair. About 13 km, 545 m of ascent, allow 3.5 hours.

Terrain

A line of broken fence-posts crosses the summit and the ridge alternates between firm turf and short patches of peat hag.

In winter

Famously windswept — wind chill on this top in February is brutal even when valleys are calm. Snow is usually scoured off the crown but accumulates in the col east of the summit.

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

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Wind Fell. 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

Glasgow2h 46m
Edinburgh2h 37m

Parking: NT191071

OS maps: OS Landranger 79

Mobile signal: Solid summit coverage; count on EE. Exposed Southern Uplands watershed.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:41
Sunset: 18:18
Civil dawn: 07:04
Civil dusk: 18:55

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Wind 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

47km 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.

Wind Fell — common questions

How difficult is Wind Fell?: Wind Fell carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 14km, 600m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: A line of broken fence-posts crosses the summit and the ridge alternates between firm turf and short patches of peat hag.
What is Wind Fell's prominence?: 92m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Wind Fell to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Wind Fell?: Most walkers start from NT191071. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Wind Fell?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Wind Fell. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Wind Fell dog-friendly?: 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 Wind Fell?: Solid summit coverage; count on EE. Exposed Southern Uplands watershed.
Is Wind Fell safe in winter?: Famously windswept — wind chill on this top in February is brutal even when valleys are calm. Snow is usually scoured off the crown but accumulates in the col east of the summit.

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