After a long break - Hudderstone

[rob munbett]

Prolonged illness meant that I haven't been able to get out for a walk since April 2nd and I was going crazy! It was set to be a beautiful day and I thought it was about time I got out and about again so I thought that Huddlestone would be an ideal walk and so it proved to be. The route in the SMC Grahams/Donalds book looked a pretty decent circuit so that's what I did. I set off from Glasgow at about half six in the morning - to avoid the M74 traffic and to avoid starting my first walk in ages in too much heat. I parked on a grassy verge on the narrow road up to Cowgill Reservoir and walked along the road for a few hundred metres. Just before a cattle grid, a track headed off left over a wooden-plank bridge and I followed this for a short distance before a grassy ATV track headed more steeply up left and this took me to the summit of Ward Law.

Ascending Ward Law looking down to Cow Gill

From here the route over Woodycleuch Dod and up to Huddlestone was clear and followed more grassy ATV tracks.

On Ward Law looking over Woodycleuch Dod to Huddlestone

There is a bit of a dip before the final ascent of the Donald but nothing too demanding.

Descending Woodycleuch Dod looking over to Huddlestone

The final walk to the highest point is along a fenceline. There is no cairn but it's obvious where the summit is.

On Huddlestone's summit, enjoying the 'lovely' view

The summit 'cairn' of Huddlestone, Culter Fell beyond

From here I dropped down another track by the fenceline on the NW slopes to reach the excellent track along the ridge of Cowgill Rig which led back down to the road.

Looking over to the route of ascent from Cowgill Rig

A most enjoyable short walk in glorious weather.

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