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
- Prominence
- 194 m
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 555 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NT197138
- Parking
- NT173095
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 44km
- 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%
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
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 53m
- Edinburgh1h 26m
OS maps: OS Landranger 79
Mobile signal: Signal is good; EE reliable with fine views to the Borders.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:49
- Sunset
- 21:49
- Civil dawn
- 03:54
- Civil dusk
- 22:44
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Around Andrewhinney Hill on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Andrewhinney Hill — common questions
- How difficult is Andrewhinney Hill?
- Andrewhinney Hill carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 555m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Quick close-cropped grass throughout, with a sheep-trod path the whole length of the Bodesbeck ridge.
- What is Andrewhinney Hill's prominence?
- 194m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Andrewhinney Hill to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Andrewhinney Hill?
- Most walkers start from NT173095. 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 Andrewhinney Hill?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Andrewhinney Hill. 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 Andrewhinney Hill 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 Andrewhinney Hill?
- Signal is good; 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.
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