How much drop does Trahenna Hill have?

The drop is 165m: measured from the summit of Trahenna Hill down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.

What's the best month to climb Trahenna Hill?

Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Trahenna Hill. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.

Can dogs go up Trahenna Hill?

Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.

By Gary

Photo: Alan O'Dowd / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Borders

Trahenna Hill

Trahenna Hill rises directly above Broughton in the NT-prefix Tweeddale hills, a 549m grassy whaleback with a fine south-facing prospect over the Tweed and the Manor Hills beyond. A 549 m top in the Borders.

Quick facts

Height: 549m/ 1801ft
Prominence: 165 m
Difficulty: 2 / 5Moderate
Grid ref: NT 13594 37401
Nearest city: Edinburgh· 39km
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 65% · heather 25% · boggy ground 10%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

A path leaves the A701 just south of Broughton and climbs steadily up the southern shoulder onto the open ridge. About 7-8km return in 3 hours.

Terrain

Sheep-cropped Tweeddale grass on most of the ascent, with a band of bracken to push through low down and a clear path on the upper shoulder.

In winter

A short, sheltered Borders climb that works in most winter conditions. After heavy snow the steep south face turns slick — better to take the broader ridge from the east.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Trahenna 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

Glasgow2h 21m
Edinburgh1h 58m

OS maps: OS Landranger 72, OS Explorer 336

Mobile signal: Good. Borders/Peeblesshire; EE reliable.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 07mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:43
Sunset: 19:36
Civil dawn: 06:06
Civil dusk: 20:13

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Around Trahenna Hill on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Edinburgh Haymarket

West-end Edinburgh; Highland departures; Murrayfield

37km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Trahenna Hill — common questions

How hard is Trahenna Hill?: We grade Trahenna Hill at 2/5, which puts it in moderate territory. Ground conditions: Sheep-cropped Tweeddale grass on most of the ascent, with a band of bracken to push through low down and a clear path on the upper shoulder.
How much drop does Trahenna Hill have?: The drop is 165m: measured from the summit of Trahenna Hill down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
What's the best month to climb Trahenna Hill?: Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Trahenna Hill. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
Can dogs go up Trahenna Hill?: Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
Will I get phone signal on Trahenna Hill?: Good. Borders/Peeblesshire; EE reliable.
Is Trahenna Hill safe in winter?: A short, sheltered Borders climb that works in most winter conditions. After heavy snow the steep south face turns slick — better to take the broader ridge from the east.

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