A fantastic example of a Borders hillwalk, this circuit from Peebles takes in the four peaks surrounding Glensax, with extensive views in all directions. Peat bogs in places.
Bog Factor
Rough moorland tracks and paths, very boggy in places.
Glen Road end, Pebbles.
Bus to Peebles.
NT259392
Start from the end of the public road on Glen Road, to the south east of Peebles, where there is layby parking. The walk starts by continuing straight ahead ignoring the right turn to Haystoun which is the return route. Follow the track through a gateway and down to a bridge over the Haystoun Burn. Now this old drove route starts to climb, heading through a small gate and keeping the stone wall on the right. There are good views back over Peebles.
When the path splits, you can either continue ahead to climb over Craig Head or take the gentler option to the left (east) to skirt round the knoll on the drove route signed for Kailzie. The routes rejoin at a gate, go through this and follow the direct path up the opposite slope between stone walls. When the walls are left behind the path keeps to the right of a fence to pass a cairn and continue the climb to the summit of Kirkhope Law.
The route dips slightly and leaves the forestry to the east behind as it climbs directly up Birkscairn Hill. Ignore the gate on the left and the bypass path to the right and stay on the right side of the fence to eventually reach the large cairn at the summit (661m). Still following the fence descend to the col, passing the stile and sign to Craig Douglas, and climb directly to Stake Law. Continuing along the fence, the cairn can be seen just to the left. Soon it is necessary to climb the fence ahead and continue WSW to the summit of Dun Rig following a line of old fence posts - this section is very boggy with some peat hags to cross.
Go over a gate in the fence to reach the trig point at Dun Rig (744m). Continue along the fence eventually branching right (north) when the clear shoulder at the head of Glensax can be seen. Cross this and climb directly up to Glenrath Heights summit at 732m (Middle Hill on OS maps) keeping the fence on your left.
Go over a gate in the fence to continue ahead and at the fence corner follow the fence to the left to the unmarked summit of Broom Hill. From here it is a straightforward climb there and back, passing Door Hass col, to climb Stob Law (676m). Return to Broom Hill and then aim across the boggy ground to the fence and follow it north east - there is a clearer path on the far side (east) of the fence.
Soon after passing a small pile of stones the summit cairn of Hundleshope Heights (685m) is reached. There are extensive views in all directions from here. Whilst it is possible to descend over Preston Law and nobbly Newby Kips to reach Glensax, this route takes the faint path heading east north east to descend gently over Dead Side.
A short way down a vague track is picked up which descends fairly directly over the heather, passing a line of grouse butts before passing the stony remains of an old settlement.
When a stand of firs is reached turn right to descend steeply to the track in Glensax. Turn left along the track, passing the farm at Upper Newby and continuing along the road. Keep right at Newby to pass the house and soon the loch belonging to Haystoun House is passed on the right. Keep following the beech hedge lined road and keep straight on at the stone bridge leading to Haystoun on the right. After a couple of bends the road reaches Glen Road at the starting point.
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