Graham · Borders
Croft Head
Croft Head (636m) rises above the upper Moffat Water in the NT15 square, on the Annandale flank of the Southern Uplands. The bare summit hides a steep, crag-fringed northern corrie above Selcoth Burn, and on a clear day the Tweedsmuir hills, White Coomb and the Solway stretch out from a single grassy crown. Access is from the A708 between Moffat and St Mary's Loch.
Quick facts
- Height
- 636.2m/ 2087ft
- Prominence
- 194 m
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 477 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NT153056
- Parking
- NT159058
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 34km
- 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%
From a layby near NT159058 a faint sheep track climbs through bracken onto the broad south ridge. The walk above is straightforward in clear weather, following the fence line that crosses the summit plateau directly. The Selcoth Burn drops away on the east side in a steep heathery slot; keep to the ridge crest until the trig pillar appears. About four hours round trip from the road at an unhurried pace.
Terrain
Sheep-cropped grass dominates the south ridge, with patches of cotton-grass bog in the saddles. The fence line is the most reliable handrail in mist — there are no built paths above the road. North-east of the summit the ground falls steeply into the corries above Selcoth, so keep clear of that edge in cloud.
In winter
Sitting close to the watershed, Croft Head catches Atlantic snowfall that drifts thickly along the summit fence. Cornices form on the eastern lip of the corrie and have been known to collapse without warning. The ground is gentle enough for a winter ascent, but the lack of features above the fence makes whiteout navigation surprisingly serious for a Border hill.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 44m
- Edinburgh2h 39m
OS maps: OS Landranger 79
Mobile signal: Good signal throughout; solid on EE and Vodafone. Southern Uplands viewpoint.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:49
- Sunset
- 21:49
- Civil dawn
- 03:55
- Civil dusk
- 22:43
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Around Croft Head on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Croft Head — common questions
- How hard is Croft Head?
- We grade Croft Head at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. The usual route is around 12km with 477m of climbing; allow 3-5 hours. Ground conditions: Sheep-cropped grass dominates the south ridge, with patches of cotton-grass bog in the saddles.
- How much drop does Croft Head have?
- The drop is 194m: measured from the summit of Croft Head down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain.
- Where's the parking for Croft Head?
- Park at NT159058. Double-check the grid reference on an OS map first; informal laybys here fill early in high season.
- What's the best month to climb Croft Head?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November on Croft Head. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Croft Head?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Croft Head?
- Good signal throughout; solid on EE and Vodafone. Southern Uplands viewpoint.
- Is Croft Head safe in winter?
- Sitting close to the watershed, Croft Head catches Atlantic snowfall that drifts thickly along the summit fence. Cornices form on the eastern lip of the corrie and have been known to collapse without warning. The ground is gentle enough for a winter ascent, but the lack of features above the fence makes whiteout navigation surprisingly serious for a Border hill.
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