Capel Fell and Croft Head
Capel Fell and Croft Head is another great route from the Cicerone Walking in The Scottish Borders book.
So far we’ve only walked 2 out of 45 of the routes but they have been amazing. Nothing too long or strenuous, just lovely walks in the hills. The Capel fell route is pretty close to the Hart fell horsehoe so there’s plenty to do in this area.
The route
At just under 12km this route taking in Croft Fell isn’t massive and only took us 4 h 25 mins. Starting at Selcoth next to the fishery, which at the time was closed, on the A708 near Moffat. There’s plenty of parking available so no stress about having to get there early to grab a space.
Head South over Selcoth burn and along the track past the friendly big pig until you get to the foresty gate where the fun begins.
We followed the forestry road for a while before leaving it and heading up the shoulder of Croft Head. There’s some nice views North towards Sailfoot as you make your way up to the top. Here the ridge narrows and you hit a fence junction at the top of Croft Head (637m) where you join the Southern Upland Way. Head NE along the Cat Shoulder with stunning views of the Craigmichen Scar on the Southern flanks of Croft Fell, before you zig zag down to the valley floor joining the Selcoth burn.
We followed the burn, crossing over a lovely arched bridge. and then cut East, gaining height as we left the valley. Hitting another fence junction at the border between Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. If you’re a child like me you can delight in jumping between the two while my wife rolled her eyes.
If you wish, you could do a quick 1.6km out and back up Wind Fell 665m (Donald) but the weather wasn’t great and we fancied leaving it for another trip so headed NW straight up to Capel Fell 678m (Donald). It was cold, cloudly and windy so we didn’t hang about long and turned SW and followed the saddle down towards a lovely little ford over the foot of Bill Cleugh (Cleugh meaning steep ravine or valley) which was a delightful sun trap and such a contrast to higher up on the summit of Croft Fell. Stripping off layers we lay in the sun with the burn babbling away and the Meadow Pipits singing.
After chilling for a while it was time to head. There’s a fairly new forestry plantation on the Northern slope of Selcoth burn so from here on, it’s forestry road back to the car although it’s not your usual trudge along featureless fire roads while wishing you were back in the hills.
The weather, as it often is, was changeable. Bitterly cold on Capel Fell but sweltering at the foot of Bill Cleuch. But as always, we had so much fun, laughter, stunning views, happy dog and smiles. It’s a lovely route that’s not too taxing and easily extendable if you’ve caught a good day and feel like walking further.
The book is well worth getting if you fancy some good quality circular routes in places you wouldn’t normally consider. It’s fast becoming one of our favourites and as it’s pocket sized and the directions and descriptions are excellent (don’t get me started on a Council walk booklet around Galashiels that made me angry because it didn’t make sense), it’s a great book to have with you.
You can incorporate Capel Fell in other routes as well. A popular one is the Ettrick Hills Horseshoe, a much longer route (16Km) taking in Capel Fell, Ettrick Pen, Bodesbeck Law & Wind Fell
Route Info
Hills Climbed
Croft Head 637m (Donald)
Capel Fell 678m (Donald)
Stats
Distance: 11.16 km
Time: 4 h 25 mins
Note:
The time taken is our time. We’re not fell runners wearing a tiny pair of shorts & carrying no kit, nor did we stop for hours and have a picnic.
Your time may be different. If you do follow this route and end up: hours late, in the pitch black, weeping. Tough.
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