How hard is Andrewhinney Hill?

Andrewhinney Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 555m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Quick close-cropped grass throughout, with a sheep-trod path the whole length of the Bodesbeck ridge.

Where do I park for Andrewhinney Hill?

Standard parking is at NT173095 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 Andrewhinney Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Andrewhinney 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 Andrewhinney Hill?

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

How hard is Andrewhinney Hill?

Andrewhinney Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 555m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Quick close-cropped grass throughout, with a sheep-trod path the whole length of the Bodesbeck ridge.

Where do I park for Andrewhinney Hill?

Standard parking is at NT173095 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 Andrewhinney Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Andrewhinney 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 Andrewhinney 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: Iain Russell / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Borders

Andrewhinney Hill

Andrewhinney Hill (677m) rises above the Moffat Water valley in the NT11 square, the high point of the long Bodesbeck-to-Bodesbeck ridge that bounds the Grey Mare's Tail country on its east side. The cairn stands at the apex of a smooth grass ridge with the cliffs of Capel Linn falling away to the south-west and a view over the Devil's Beef Tub to Hartfell.

Quick facts

Height: 677.3m/ 2222ft
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 555 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT197138
Parking: NT173095
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 · 555m ascent · 3.5 hrs

Start from the layby at the Grey Mare's Tail visitor centre on the A708 and cross the road to gain the steep south-west ridge of the Bodesbeck range. A clear path on cropped grass climbs to White Shank, then runs north along the fence line over Herman Law and on to Andrewhinney. The whole ridge is on quick going underfoot with the fence as a handrail.

Terrain

Quick close-cropped grass throughout, with a sheep-trod path the whole length of the Bodesbeck ridge. The fence line is continuous and provides an unmistakable navigation aid. Small peat haggs near the cairn but nothing to slow progress.

In winter

Moffatdale hills hold drifted snow on east-facing slopes after westerly storms, and the Bodesbeck ridge becomes a corniced edge above the Capel Linn cliffs in hard winters. The fence keeps you safely back from the edge in cloud. Sub-zero days bring spectacular hoar frost on the grass.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 53m
Edinburgh1h 26m

Parking: NT173095

OS maps: OS Landranger 79

Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable with fine views to the Borders.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:40
Sunset: 21:41
Civil dawn: 03:45
Civil dusk: 22:36

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Andrewhinney 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

41km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Andrewhinney Hill — common questions

How hard is Andrewhinney Hill?: Andrewhinney Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 555m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Quick close-cropped grass throughout, with a sheep-trod path the whole length of the Bodesbeck ridge.
Where do I park for Andrewhinney Hill?: Standard parking is at NT173095 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 Andrewhinney Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Andrewhinney 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 Andrewhinney 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 Andrewhinney Hill?: Good signal on summit; EE reliable with fine views to the Borders.
Is Andrewhinney Hill safe in winter?: Moffatdale hills hold drifted snow on east-facing slopes after westerly storms, and the Bodesbeck ridge becomes a corniced edge above the Capel Linn cliffs in hard winters. The fence keeps you safely back from the edge in cloud. Sub-zero days bring spectacular hoar frost on the grass.