What difficulty is Cademuir Hill?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Cademuir Hill comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: Mixed Peeblesshire farmland and rough grazing.

How prominent is Cademuir Hill?

Cademuir Hill has 202m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.

When should I climb Cademuir Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Cademuir Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Cademuir Hill?

On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.

By Gary

Photo: Jim Barton / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Borders

Cademuir Hill

Cademuir Hill is a 415m ridge immediately south-west of Peebles in the Tweed valley (NT 24192 37690). The summit carries the substantial earthworks of an Iron Age hill fort with chevaux-de-frise stones, and offers fine views over Peebles and along Tweeddale toward the Manor Hills.

Quick facts

Height: 415.1m/ 1362ft
Prominence: 202 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NT 24192 37690
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 36km
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

heather moorland 50% · grass slopes 35% · rocky summit 15%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A popular local walk from Peebles, following the riverside path past Peebles Hydro and Hay Lodge Park then climbing the marked Cademuir track to the 415m summit. About 7km circuit — allow 2-3 hours.

Terrain

Mixed Peeblesshire farmland and rough grazing. Good paths and farm tracks throughout, with short heather sections on the summit ridge.

In winter

Excellent winter half-day from Peebles. Tracks are usable in most conditions; the ridge can be exposed to wind but rarely holds significant snow.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Cademuir Hill. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 46m
Edinburgh1h 50m

OS maps: OS Landranger 73, OS Explorer 337

Mobile signal: Good. Peeblesshire; solid EE signal on summit and approach.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 07mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:42
Sunset: 19:35
Civil dawn: 06:05
Civil dusk: 20:12

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Cademuir Hill 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

31km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Cademuir Hill — common questions

What difficulty is Cademuir Hill?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Cademuir Hill comes in at 1/5 — easy. Terrain: Mixed Peeblesshire farmland and rough grazing.
How prominent is Cademuir Hill?: Cademuir Hill has 202m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground. Marilyns are defined by that measure: at least 150m of drop on all sides.
When should I climb Cademuir Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Cademuir Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Cademuir Hill?: On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
What's mobile reception like on Cademuir Hill?: Good. Peeblesshire; solid EE signal on summit and approach.
Is Cademuir Hill safe in winter?: Excellent winter half-day from Peebles. Tracks are usable in most conditions; the ridge can be exposed to wind but rarely holds significant snow.

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