Broughton Heights and Trahenna Hill circuit

Summary

Broughton Heights is the highest of the fine range of hills lying to the east of the village. With grassy ridges and steep heathery slopes, the hills gives some superb views. This route takes in Broughton Heights itself before returning over Hammer Head to take in Trahenna Hill.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Grassy hill paths and tracks; steep, narrow path up heather for ascent of Hammer Head. Livestock grazing.

Getting there

Start

Broughton Community Hall car park.

Public Transport

Bus to Broughton.

Start Grid Ref

NT112367

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.5km / 8.5 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 680m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Broughton Heights
Sub 2000: Trahenna Hill

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 336 - Biggar

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (12)

Stage 1

The former walkers car park shown on OS maps near Broughton Place is now closed, so instead use the car park at Broughton Community Hall. From here you can avoid walking the road by begining the walk by leaving the car park through the small gate in the fence along the back. Turn left once through this, walking alongside the fence and then keeping ahead through the pasture to reach a footbridge. Cross this and continue to reach a tarmac lane, then turn right along this. The lane leads past first a farm and then Broughton Place, which looks like an ancient Borders castle but was in fact designed in 1938 by the architect Basil Spence. From the end of the lane continue ahead through the gate along the track, taking the main right hand fork to follow it as it climbs gently to pass above a small plantation. This section of the route is part of the John Buchan Way.

Stage 2

Here it passes through a gate and continues as a grassy track up the glen of the Hollow Burn, eventually descending slightly to cross the burn and continue up the far side. The route climbs up towards the bealach between Clover Law and Broomy Side, where the main track and John Buchan Way turns right. Leave the signed route here, instead turning left up a grassy track to continue up to the bealach.

Stage 3

Cross a gate in the deer fence and follow the track that climbs steeply up to the right onto Broomy Side, keeping left of the fence. Once on the summit the grassy track continues northwards, climbing over the intervening summit of Green Law. There are superb views, particularly looking left towards Tinto, appearing in fine isolation.

Stage 4

Beyond Green Law the ridge and track descend to another bealach before the final rise to Broughton Heights - though a fence blocks easy access to the summit trig point. Its position on the edge of the Borders hills ensures Broughton Heights is a fine viewpoint. The Pentlands look very fine from here, with the two Kips prominent.

Stage 5

Retrace your steps back along the ridge over Green Law and Broomy Side and down to the bealach, returning right back to the junction on the John Buchan Way. Now turn left here, following the main John Buchan Way track until it reaches a gate in the deer fence. Do not pass through this, instead turning right and following a narrow through the heather to the right of a fence line, aiming for the steep slopes of Hammer Head. The path soon becomes very steep for a time before the ridge is gained.

Stage 6

Once on the ridge the path turns left together with the fence line to complete the ascent to the summit of Hammer Head, which is a delightful grassy top marked by a large cairn. Continue along the ridge, crossing a minor bump before the short ascent to the more extensive plateau of Trahenna Hill.

Stage 7

The actual highest point of Trahenna Hill involves a 500m detour from the plateau from a junction of fences - and can be omitted by those not interested in 'bagging' as the top is not particularly distinguished. To reach it go through a gate in the deer fence and then a stile just beyond, then follow the deer fence (on your left) to the top. There a tiny cairn, and the views are attractive. Return to the main plateau and the track beside the fence.

Stage 8

Now continue SW along the track to the right of the fenceline. When the angle of descent eases fork right onto a faint track; this swings NW and continues the descent down an area which has been planted with new trees. When the descent meets a high deer fence turn left along it until a gate is reached, allowing the descent to be completed back to track. Retrace your steps back to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?