As the weather was forecast to be sunny & warm all day, I decided to continue my quest to complete the Donalds. This time I was off to do Cauldcleuch Head. To make a longer day out of it, I decided to continue round the ridge returning by Tudhope Hill, a circuit of around 7.6 miles. I parked at the forest entrance & walked along the road to Billhope.
- Tudhope Hill from Billhope
The lower part of these hills are now part of a new woodland, & have blue topped posts marking paths up on to & around the hills. I left the main track shortly after passing the next house, turning right at a quarry, & followed the good path steeply uphill. The path came to a sudden end, with only a narrow faint path beyond. There weren't any more of the blue posts to be seen. I continued for a bit, but the so called path didn't look like it would get me up the hill, as it just contoured along the hillside to meet the burn.
- Stob Fell from the path to nowhere
Enough of this, so I headed straight up to the ridge, where I reckoned there should be a better path to follow. The climb to the ridge was very steep to start, but gradually lessened with height. When I reached the ridge the first thing I saw was the blue posts marking a good path. I missed the point where this path had left the main path, somewhere before it had ended, & I ended up on the path to nowhere. So if following my route, don't miss that important right turn.
- View back down the ridge from the good path
I could now follow the posts up onto Stob Fell, where the views over Liddesdale really opened up.
- Liddesdale
- Greatmoor Hill from Stob Fell
It was then up onto Pennygant Hill where a well deserved break was had. Good places to sit on dry grass or rocks were hard to find along the entire route, but Pennygant Hill had a mini cairn which made a comfy seat.
- Arkleton Hill
- Stob Fell from Penntgant Hill
- Cauldcleuch Head from Pennygant Hill's cairn
Continuing, the posts marked an easy route to the next hill, Muckle Land Knowe.
- Greatmoor Hill from Muckle Land Knowe
After here, the next section was more boggy with less defined paths, & remained so until Langtae Hill. I initially followed the posts half way to Cauldcleugh Hill, then left them as they don't go to the summit.
- Tudhope Hill from Cauldcleuch Head
- Teviotdale from Cauldcleuch Head
After Cauldcleugh Hill, it's a good walk, though very wet underfoot, all the way to Langtae Hill. The posts were once again met at Footman Hass.
- Tudhope Hill from Footman Hass
My route next climbed to Langtae Hill, then Millstone Edge, finally reached Tudhope Hill, with the only trig point on the walk.
- Cauldcleuch Head from Langtae Hill
- Tudhope Hill from Langtae Hill
The posts miss Millstone Edge & go directly to Tudhope Hill from Langtae Hill, so a little shortcut if you need it. Another good spot for a break on Tudhope Hill, with great all round views, especially to Eskdale. From here the weather was so clear, I was able to see all the way to the north Pennines.
- Teviotdale from Tudhope Hill
- View back to Cauldcleuch Head
- Arkleton Hill and Eskdale
- The route down from Tudhope Hill
After my rest and a bite to eat, it was straight downhill, back to the car. A brilliant walk, in superb weather. Do this walk on a nice day and you will be well rewarded with a memorable day on the border hills.
- Pennygant Hill and Stob Fell from back at the start
