Hart Fell horseshoe
Hart Fell Horseshoe is a classic Scottish Borders walking route taking in some of the finest views the Borders has to offer. Just not on the day we walked it. With ridges & escarpments including the airy (for the Borders) Saddle Yoke. It’s a very steep initial ascent with plenty of stops to “take photos” but once on the ridge, the terrain is very easy going. Walk Highlands have an excellent Walk report on their website.
The Hart Fell horseshoe route
Our route starts at Blackshope (NT 1468 0983) on the A708 about 6km South East of Grey Mare’s Tail. There’s parking for about 5 cars and a very short walk along the road. Head over the Blackshope burn, to the start of the walk. Turn right through a gate just after a small farm building and at the second gate, take a deep breath as it’s hard going for a bit. The route takes you up the right hand side of Hang Gill. If you fancy a nice Grade 1 scramble, I’ve heard heading up Hang Gill itself is great fun.
After a while the contour lines spread a bit wider and the terrain becomes easier as you head to another gate in a fence. Climb this gate, head right then through another gate. Bear left and follow Hang burn as the terrain steepens again and you finally bear right towards the ridge of Black Craig. Here we had fleeting views of Saddle Yoke through the cloud.
Make sure you walk to the edge of the spur before the hill sweeps West and becomes Hound Bank. It’s quite stunning, except when we were there.
Following the ridge we walked towards Swatte Fell, the first Donald (729m). Then NE via Upper Coomb Craig & Falcon Craig. A stop for food at the lovely named Hass o’ the Red Roads. Then Hartfell Craig and finally Hart Fell, a Corbett at 808m. I’ve previously walked this section on a two day expedition from Fruid Reservoir when I spent a glorious wild camp on the summit of Hart fell. It’s always nice to join up sections you’ve walked previously.
From Hart Fell we headed NE along the top of the glen towards Hartfell Rig. Followed the path across the top of Whirly Gill and we were now on the return leg down the East side of the glen. It was short walk before we hit Under Saddle Yoke, the final Donald on the route at 745m. The view from Under Saddle Yoke down and then back up Saddle Yoke looks amazing and this almost feels like a Highland walk at this point. Saddle Yoke looked steeper and higher than it actually is but as we watched the dog sprint up it in a few seconds. We realised it wasn’t.
From Saddle Yoke the route descends all the way back to the car along the shoulder which is an easy walk although there’s a steepish section near the end which hurt the knees but nothing hideous.
Route Info
Hills Climbed
Hart Fell 808m (Corbett)
Swatte Fell 729m (Donald)
Under Saddle Yoke Capel Fell 745m (Donald)
Stats
Distance: 14.53 km
Time: 5h 43 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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