Hart Fell ridges horseshoe, nr Moffat

The superb horseshoe of ridges, including the airy Saddle Yoke, follows the skyline around the Blackhope Burn. It makes for the classic route to the Corbett of Hart Fell.

Terrain

Generally good firm going underfoot though a little boggy in places; paths are faint.

Public Transport

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Start

Blackshope. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13km/8 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 886m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NT146098

Summits Climbed

Corbett / Donald: Hart Fell
Donald: Swatte Fell
Donald: Under Saddle Yoke

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 330 - Moffat
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

From Moffat, drive along the A708 for approximately 6 miles until you pass a farm, surrounded by trees. After crossing a small bridge, you will come to a cottage (signposted Blackshope) which has a sizeable parking area next to the driveway of the cottage. Cars may also be left on the grass verge opposite the cottage. Walk west back over the bridge, go through a gate on the right (after a small building) and follow the burn which descends from the large cleft on the hillside. Go through a gate beside the cleft and ascend steeply up a faint path in a north-east direction, which contours on to a ridge above Black Craigs. There is a small cairn marking the way.�

Stage 2

Continue over an electric fence (no stile) and over grassy humps and heather until you gain the top of Nether Coomb Craig. From here, the views across to Saddle Yoke are impressive, while the cliffs of Nether Coomb Craig fall away into the corrie.

Stage 3

The plateau of Swatte Fell opens up in front of you and a sense of height predominates as the cliffs plunge away to the right. Follow the path along the plateau. In poor conditions, a fence and dyke can be followed all the way to the summit of Hart Fell.

Stage 4

Approximately, 1km before the summit, descend for 200m and ascend the last 400m of the south-east ridge of Hart Fell until you reach the trig point, which is surrounded by a sheltered cairn. From here the views across to White Coomb and beyond are before you.�

Stage 5

To complete the horse-shoe, head north briefly and then east over Hartfell Rig and down to a col, leaving the fence to skirt the upper corrie of the Whirly Gill. In Winter, keep back from the cliffs which have sizeable cornices and ascend the broad North ridge of Under Saddle Yoke. The views across to White Coomb and to the final objective, Saddle Yoke itself, are impressive).�

Stage 6

Descend quite steep ground to the col and climb the steep-sided summit ridge of Saddle Yoke, which gives a feeling of exposure. Descend the south ridge to gain the land rover track, which leads back to Blackshope Cottage.

Route and photos: Kevin Pollock

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.