Pykestone Hill and Drumelzier Law, Drumelzier

Summary

This enjoyable hillwalk climbs the three Donalds arranged around the Drumelzier Burn. Pykestone Hill and Middle Hill both have flat summits, but Drumelzier Law is set apart from the main range and has a more impressive outline as well as fine views.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good track for the ascent, then narrow paths following fenceposts to Middle Hill. Finally fainter hill paths over Drumelzier Law and on the descent. The cols between the hills are boggy but the rest of the going is good.

Public Transport

Bus to Drumelzier.

Start

Drumelzier. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 15km / 9.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 696m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT136340

Summits Climbed

Donald: Pykestone Hill
Donald: Middle Hill
Donald: Drumelzier Law

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (13)

Stage 1

Take the lane off the south side of the B712 in Drumelzier; there is space to park for several cars near a cottage at the end of the public road. The obvious start to the walk is up the farm track, but a much better route is to cross the footbridge and pick up a path that climbs up behind the cottage. Pass through a gate and then follow a grassy track which heads up the valley of the Drumelzier burn. Eventually it slopes down to reach the burn at a second gate; pass through this and cross the footbridge just beyond. Now bear right up the bank to rejoin the main track up the valley and turn left along it.

Stage 2

Further up the valley the track passes through another gate and then crosses the burn on a wider bridge. The hill looming above the head of the valley at this point is Drumelzier Law, the final summit on this circuit. Head up the track that climbs to pass between the two forest plantations on the way up Den Knowes. Immediately above the trees take the right hand fork to continue the ascent and pass to the right of shooting butts in the heather, and further up when the track forks again use the left branch which climbs up the ridge. Once on Den Knowes Head the track forks a third time; again keep left as the right hand track bypasses Pykestone Hill. The track becomes faint on the summit plateau and crosses a boggy area shortly before reaching the fence - with the trig point on the far side - marking the summit of Pykestone Hill. The summit area is very flat, robbing the views of much depth.

Stage 3

The walk continues by following the line of the fence, which soon descends to reach a very boggy col. The Thief's Road - an ancient route once used on Border raids - crosses the fence at the saddle but is pretty much lost in the bog, though the next section can be seen climbing up the flank of the next hump, Grey Weather Law (unnamed on 1:50k maps). The easiest route is to continue up beside the fence, enjoying the views to the Dun Rig group of hills over to the left. Continue across a second boggy dip - the Thief's Road can be seen recrossing the fence and heading off towards Dollar Law. Our route continues by the fence to reach Long Grain Knowe, where three fences meet.

Stage 4

Turn right here, still following the fence across a third, slight boggy depression; after the next rise the fence and walk turn to the southwest to reach the top of Middle Hill. This summit is marked only by two wooden posts on the opposite side of the fence. The views are better than from Pykestone Hill, with the Culter Fell and Gathersnow Hill ranges across upper Tweedale. Bid your farewells to the guiding fence and head northeast and then north across easy flattish ground towards Glenstivon Dodd.

Stage 5

A well built shepherd's cairn - much finer than anything found on the summits hereabouts - is passed before the bare summit of Glenstivon Dodd is reached. From here a faint ATV track / path leads steeply down the northwestern slope towards the shapely cone of Drumelzier Law - a hill set apart enough from the range to have a distinctive character.

Stage 6

After crossing the col the route continues steeply up the ATV track / path to reach a cairn near the top of Drumelzier Law. The true summit is a little further along the ridge at a second cairn. This is the best viewpoint of the day, especially looking up the Tweed; the descent route is also laid out, continue on the ATV track / faint path along the ridge to Logan Head, over several slight rises.

Stage 7

From Logan Head continue by the faint tracks down over Finglen Rig. Eventually the tracks lead slightly to the right as they continue down into the valley, passing just to the right of a gate. Do not pass through the gate but instead turn left just beyond it, keeping the fenceline on your left. This is followed down to the track used on the outward route; turn left to head back to Drumelzier. When the fields are reached you can either retrace your steps back to the path on the other side of the burn, or simply follow the track to reach the farm buildings, turning right to head back to the cottage at the start.

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