Graham · Borders
Ettrick Pen
Ettrick Pen (691m) is the rounded grassy summit at the head of Ettrick Water, set in the NT10 square on the Dumfries-Borders boundary. Pen is Brittonic for head — a reference to its position at the watershed of three rivers, the Ettrick, the Annan and the Esk. The Southern Upland Way crosses just below its summit.
Quick facts
- Height
- 691.8m/ 2270ft
- Prominence
- 356 m
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 567 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NT199076
- Parking
- NT201160
- Nearest city
- Dumfries· 38km
- 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 75% · heather slopes 15% · summit plateau 10%
From the parking at Potburn at the road end follow the Southern Upland Way south-east over Wind Fell. The Way climbs the broad grassy shoulder and tops out just metres from the large summit cairn. Return by the same line or descend north into Over Phawhope bothy for a longer round.
Terrain
Way-marked path on cropped grass throughout. The summit area is smooth and firm with only minor peat. Fence-line on the watershed gives an unmissable handrail in cloud.
In winter
The Borders hills catch easterly snow that lies long on this NT10 ridge. Drifting along the fence-line can mask the path completely. Excellent winter walking on firm short turf when the snow lies but no avalanche risk on these gentle gradients.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 47m
- Edinburgh2h 35m
OS maps: OS Landranger 79
Mobile signal: Good summit signal; EE reliable with open views across the Ettrick Forest.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:49
- Sunset
- 21:49
- Civil dawn
- 03:54
- Civil dusk
- 22:43
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Ettrick Pen.
Around Ettrick Pen on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Ettrick Pen — common questions
- How difficult is Ettrick Pen?
- Ettrick Pen carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 13km, 567m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Way-marked path on cropped grass throughout.
- What is Ettrick Pen's prominence?
- 356m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Ettrick Pen to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Ettrick Pen?
- Most walkers start from NT201160. 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 Ettrick Pen?
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Ettrick Pen. 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 Ettrick Pen 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 Ettrick Pen?
- Good summit signal; EE reliable with open views across the Ettrick Forest.
- Is Ettrick Pen safe in winter?
- The Borders hills catch easterly snow that lies long on this NT10 ridge. Drifting along the fence-line can mask the path completely. Excellent winter walking on firm short turf when the snow lies but no avalanche risk on these gentle gradients.
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