Culter Fell circular, near Biggar

Culter Fell is the most popular, highest and most shapely of this rolling range of hills on the Lanarkshire / Borders boundary, south of Biggar. On its own it makes a straightforward short hillwalk; as described here it is the first part of a longer, rough round above the reservoir, passing over Gathersnow Hill and finally Hudderstone, before a grand and easy descent.

Terrain

Steep hill path to Culter Fell; continuation becomes boggier but eased by a windfarm track towards Hudderstone before final good grass track for the descent.

Public Transport

None to start; nearest bus stop at Coulter. Traveline Scotland.

Start

Layby just short of end of public section of road to Coulter Reservoir. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 18.5km / 11.5 miles
Time: 5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 923m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT031310

Summits Climbed

Graham / Donald: Culter Fell
Graham / Donald: Gathersnow Hill
Donald: Hillshaw Head
Donald: Hudderstone

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

To reach the start, take the minor road up the glen of the Coulter Water from Coulter. There is parking just after Coulter Allers Farm, either where the road forks for the two reservoirs, or by taking the left fork towards Coulter Reservoir and then using a layby on the right before the sign which marks the limit of the public road. Begin the walk by continuing along this road on foot. After around 500m the road crosses King's Beck and then a track heads off uphill on the left, leading along the right hand edge of a plantation.

Stage 2

Turn steeply up this track, and almost immediately fork right onto a grassy path - soggy in places - which aims up onto the Fell Shin ridge. The path is clear and soon begins steeply climbing the ridge, with ever improving views looking back across the glen. The steepest part of the ascent ends at a small cairn; after this the ground flattens off before rising again more gently to a second cairn.

Stage 3

A short stretch of boggier grassy land leads to the fence and trig point that marks the summit of Culter Fell. As the highest of this range the views are extensive, with Tinto to the northwest and Broad Law to the southeast being prominent. For a short hillwalk you could return the same way (reducing the route to Grade 3); the continuation from here to Gathersnow Hill is wetter. Follow the fenceline to the right, descending steeply at first and then briefly rising over Moss Law.

Stage 4

After crossing Moss Law the soggy descent resumes down to Holm Nick, where a rough landrover track is met. It is possible to descend from here down the reservoir (and the start) by following the track to the right and keeping on the north side of the Culter Water. For our route, however, turn left along the track; it zig-zags uphill to begin the ascent of Gathersnow Hill. The views soon open up down the glen of Holms Water. Eventually the fence is joined and followed it up Glenwhapen Rig.

Stage 5

The summit of Gathersnow Hill - a Graham and Donald - has only a tiny cairn beside the fence. From here on the walk was pathless and boggy until recently, but a new wind farm construction has since seen a large track built from near Hillshaw Head to below the top of Hudderstone. TTo continue, follow the fence down into a boggy col to the southwest. From here you can either continue on by the fence (crossing another) to include the top of Hillshaw Head (a Donald), or cut across to join the fence which leads from Hillshaw Head to a three-way fence junction above the Hillshaw Burn.

Stage 6

From here once fence heads off right towards the Bank; step over this and instead follow the fence that heads towards the transmitter mast and Dod Hill. This section has been eased by the construction of a new windfarm track. Continue over Dod Hill, leaving the windfarm track to cotninue along the broad ridge to reach the unmarked summit of Hudderstone - the fourth Donald of the day. From here, follow the fence that leads northwest to begin the descent.

Stage 7

Eventually a clear old hill track is reached; turn right onto this to follow it northwards along Cowgill Rig. After a plantation it begins to descend easily with beautiful views ahead down the glen. At the foot of the ridge pass through a gate to reach the minor road. Head right along the road, passing the cottage at Whingill and farm at Birthwood before reaching the junction with the road to the Coulter Reservoir by the start of the walk.

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