Hartfell Spa, near Moffat

Summary

This adventurous little excursion ascends above a burn which scours the western slopes of Hart Fell to discover a historic spa. Dating back to 1748 the spa provided healing waters which were bottled; today it has a really hidden feel - a torch should be carried to best see the spa.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Grassy paths and tracks; boggy in places. Very rough path on final approach to spa.

Getting there

Start

Annan Water hall, NT075103.

Public Transport

None to start; nearest bus stop in Moffat around 4.5km away.

Start Grid Ref

NT075103

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.5km / 3.5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 232m (Profile)

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Explorer 330 - Moffat

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

There is space to park at Annan Water Hall, 4.5km north of Moffat along Old Edinburgh Road. Begin the walk by heading north along the road, almost immediately turning right at a signpost ('Hartfell Spa') indicating the start of the walk. Pass through the kissing gate and head upstream on the left side of the Auchenchat Burn. Keep atop the grassy bank to head through another kissing gate in a drystone dyke (or wall).

Stage 2

The walk keeps atop the grass bank high above the burn. Aim for another kissing gate in the next wall, and detour left to head around the top of a side burn. Keep to the right of a deer fence, back along the top of the bank, to reach another kissing gate near a small plantation.

Stage 3

Go through this and keep left of the trees to head through another metal gate. Continue uphill on a grassy track to the left of the trees, eventually reaching yet another kissing gate. Once through this the grass track climbs further before becoming level and with a harder surface. The route now follows this contouring track well above the burn. Ahead can be seen the scree-scarred slopes of the feeder burn where the spa is sited.

Stage 4

Continue along the track until it eventually descends to almost reach the main burn at the foot of the feeder burn from the ravine. Here leave the track to pick up a very narrow path that heads uphill towards the ravine on the nearside of the feeder burn - the start of the path is easy to miss.

Stage 5

The path is quite rough with steep drops on the right in places. Eventually it passes between two rocks to reach the spa, which is a small stone building surrounded by a fence just across the burn.

Stage 6

If you've brought a torch you can take a look inside, though the floor tends to be wet. The spa was found in 1748 by John Williamson who was mining here; the spring is iron rich and was said to help cure 'debility and anaemia'; it was sold in bottles. Look up inside to see the carved ceiling stone.

Stage 7

Unless you are intent on a pathless ascent of Hart Fell high above (best done by first retracing steps out of the steep ravine), the return walk is back the same way.

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