How hard is Ettrick Pen?

Ettrick Pen is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 567m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Way-marked path on cropped grass throughout.

Where do I park for Ettrick Pen?

Standard parking is at NT201160 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 Ettrick Pen?

The standard good-weather months for Ettrick Pen 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 Ettrick Pen?

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

How hard is Ettrick Pen?

Ettrick Pen is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 567m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Way-marked path on cropped grass throughout.

Where do I park for Ettrick Pen?

Standard parking is at NT201160 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 Ettrick Pen?

The standard good-weather months for Ettrick Pen 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 Ettrick Pen?

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

By Gary Innes

Photo: Ross / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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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
Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 567 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT199076
Parking: NT201160
Nearest city: Dumfries
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

grass moorland 75% · heather slopes 15% · summit plateau 10%

13km · 567m ascent · 3.5 hrs

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

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 47m
Edinburgh2h 35m

Parking: NT201160

OS maps: OS Landranger 79

Mobile signal: Good signal on summit; EE reliable with open views across the Ettrick Forest.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

18h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:41
Sunset: 21:41
Civil dawn: 03:46
Civil dusk: 22:36

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Ettrick Pen.

Two-hill day
Ettrick Pen + Capel Fell
Link two Ettrick hills in a classic upland traverse
16km · 750m ascent · 5.5 hrs

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Around Ettrick Pen 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

45km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Ettrick Pen — common questions

How hard is Ettrick Pen?: Ettrick Pen is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 13km with 567m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: Way-marked path on cropped grass throughout.
Where do I park for Ettrick Pen?: Standard parking is at NT201160 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 Ettrick Pen?: The standard good-weather months for Ettrick Pen 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 Ettrick Pen?: 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 signal on summit; 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.