Marilyn · Borders
Penvalla
Penvalla, 537m, is the high point of the Stobo Hills in the NT-prefix country above Stobo on the upper Tweed. Quiet, rounded and rarely visited, but the summit overlooks a particularly fine reach of Tweeddale.
Quick facts
- Height
- 537.5m/ 1763ft
- Prominence
- 188 m
- Grid ref
- NT 15055 39581
- 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).
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
grass moorland 65% · heather 25% · boggy ground 10%
Tracks from Stobo or Dreva climb onto Stobo Hopehead and link northwest along fences to the cairn. Around 10km return, 3-4 hours, with the upper Tweed and the rolling Manor Hills visible from the broad summit grass.
Terrain
Estate tracks low down, then pathless tussocky grass on the broad ridge — a fence-line provides a reliable handrail to the summit.
In winter
Low and sheltered enough for winter days when the higher Border tops are out. Watch for drifted snow against the summit fence.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 23m
- Edinburgh1h 53m
OS maps: OS Landranger 72, OS Explorer 336
Mobile signal: Good. Scottish Borders; good EE signal — download maps as backup.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:15
- Sunset
- 21:25
- Civil dawn
- 04:27
- Civil dusk
- 22:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Penvalla on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Penvalla — common questions
- Is Penvalla a hard climb?
- Penvalla is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Estate tracks low down, then pathless tussocky grass on the broad ridge — a fence-line provides a reliable handrail to the summit.
- How prominent is Penvalla?
- Penvalla has 188m 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 Penvalla?
- The standard good-weather months for Penvalla 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 Penvalla?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Penvalla?
- Good. Scottish Borders; good EE signal — download maps as backup.
- Is Penvalla safe in winter?
- Low and sheltered enough for winter days when the higher Border tops are out. Watch for drifted snow against the summit fence.
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