Hart Fell And The Moffat Hills

Описание: An ascent of various hills in the Moffat area of Dumfries & Galloway.

Primarily an ascent of Hartfell with a wild camp atop Whitehope Heights.

An late start to this one, a little abnormal for me. We parked up at the Moffat Public Car Park and prepped for departure.

The walk starts here as this is the start to this section of the Annadale Way which is the route I was following for the majority of this walk.

Leaving the car park and following the Annan Water River for a short while, you then leave this path and cross a field to a more fixed road. (The Old Edinburgh Rd). This is followed until a fork is met where you proceed left and follow this till you go through a gate and continue a less used track.

Following this for sometime it gains height slowly until you reach the A701 road. Care has to be taken crossing this road as it's very fast and popular with motorists and bikers. Crossing the road you start your short ascent of Ericstane Hill. A great view point of which to see the challenge ahead.

After Ericstane, you reach the Devil's Beef Tub view point which is a fantastic vantage to take in the Devil's Beef Tub and all it's splendour. I was surprised as to how short the ascent of Annanhead Hill was but no less spectacular for it. This would be a great hill for the whole family as it asks very little physically but gives so much visually.

After the short ascent, it isn't long before you're pushing on again to Great Hill and Chalk Rig Edge. There is then a short descent and re ascent to gain Spout Crag. It's at this point I made the decision not to push on to Hart Fell that evening and set up camp on Whitehope Heights. A fantastic view point for the whole area.

The following mooring I pressed on to gain Whitehope Knowe and descended (fairly steeply) to the gully of a new tree plantation. I nipped through the large wooden gate and made the short walk along to the Strong Cleuch Burn and replenished my water stocks. Heading back to the gully, I prepared myself as I knew the nbext ascent to Hart Fell was a steep one.

After a short time I crested to the top of Hart Fell 808m and took the time on top to revel in my accomplishments! After a short break and a bite to eat, I pressed on.

I have to say, on this day and with the weather being so favourable, I can't say I've had many better vistas than the section descending Hart Fell. The dramatics and down right drastic ness (if that's a word) is jaw dropping. It was hard to keep my footing as I struggled to keep my eyes off it.

Fast progress was made right along the ridge of Falcon Crag, Swatte Fell, Blue Cairn and finally to Greygill Head. It was at this point I said goodbye to the Moffat hills and made the last short descent to the farm track back to town.

There's a fair bit of a road hike here to get back to the car park but worth it for the lovely houses and shops in the area.

I really enjoyed this trek and would happily return to this area and attempt more of the surrounding hills.

https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/r...

OS Explorer Map
330 Moffat & St Mary's Loch

https://stevenpollock390.wixsite.com/...

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