Hart Fell and Cape Law Walking

The Southern Uplands see a lot less footfall than most hill areas, but this quietness is part of their appeal. And there are some lovely gems here, just waiting to be unearthed. This is a brilliant long ridge walk, taking in four Donalds and three Donald Tops along the way.

Falcon Craig, Hart Fell, Hart Fell Rigg and Cape Law from Nether Coomb Craig.  © GrahamUney
Falcon Craig, Hart Fell, Hart Fell Rigg and Cape Law from Nether Coomb Craig.
Fetching Map

Detailed description

1
NT1473809826 Head west along the road, crossing the bridge over the Blackhope Burn, and look for a small building on the right. Go through the gate here and head uphill alongside Hang Gill to a fence at the top corner. The path zigzags to a cairn, then brings you to another fence.

2
NT1396710204 Go through the fence, then turn right to cross another. Now the path takes you up the long ridge, with the cliffs falling into Black Hope on your right. You'll reach the summit of your first Donald Top, Nether Coomb Craig by a fence.

3
NT1292010984 Follow the fence to the north-west, to the summit of Swatte Fell, the first Donald of the walk. The OS Explorer map shows this as being near the fence to the north-east at 729m, but a recent resurvey suggests that there is a higher point to the north-west of the fence junction at 730m.

4
NT1187311418 Now follow the fence north east, first to Falcon Crag, then down to the col at Hass o' the Red Roads. The climb up to Hart Fell is initially steep, but the gradient soon eases as you follow the fence to the north-west. The summit has an OS trig pillar. This is the high point of the walk, and counts as both a Donald and a Corbett.

5
NT1134813560 Now go north-east, still following the fence, down Hartfell Rig and into a boggy col. Climb up alongside the fence to the minor summit at Stirk Craig. Here, turn north-west to the summit of Cape Law, your third Donald of the day.

6
NT1310215065 Return to Stirk Craig, and keeping beside the fence and broken wall, continue south, dropping down into the col at 629m. The going here is pathless for a while, but climbing south up the broad ridge will soon bring a path underfoot. Follow this to the summit of your fourth Donald of the day, Under Saddle Yoke.

7
NT1425412625 The little ridge between Under Saddle Yoke and its slightly lower neighbour, Saddle Yoke is delightful. Follow it to the Donald Top, then down the south ridge, eventually to hit the track that leads up the valley from the car park. Turn left down the valley to get back to your car.

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Further Routes

by GrahamUney



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