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
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 477 m
- Time
- 3–5 hrs
- Grid ref
- NT153056
- Parking
- NT159058
- 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%
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 on summit; EE and Vodafone reliable. Southern Uplands viewpoint.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:41
- Sunset
- 21:41
- Civil dawn
- 03:46
- Civil dusk
- 22:36
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 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?
- Croft Head is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 12km with 477m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-5 hours. Terrain: Sheep-cropped grass dominates the south ridge, with patches of cotton-grass bog in the saddles.
- Where do I park for Croft Head?
- Standard parking is at NT159058 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 Croft Head?
- The standard good-weather months for Croft Head 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 Croft Head?
- 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 Croft Head?
- Good signal on summit; EE and Vodafone reliable. 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.