Difficult Walks near West Linton
Walk C1 – The Covenanter’s Grave
Time - 4-5 hours; Distance - 19km/11.5 miles
A long walk out to perhaps the loneliest, most remote and atmospheric spot in the Pentlands – mostly on good tracks but one tricky section across rough and boggy moorland probably best done in dry and clear weather. The return leg follows the route of walk BX, ‘Prehistoric Walk to West Linton’, which is worth taking with you for its useful historical notes.
Start/Finish - West Linton
Leave the village and cross the A702, turning up the minor road opposite St Mungo’s Church signposted to Baddinsgill. Head up the road for 1.5km then turn left towards West Linton Golf Club (footpaths signposted to ‘Dolphinton, Dunsyre and Garvald’, and ‘Boston Cottage’)...
Walk C2 – Mount Maw
Time - 4-5 hours; Distance - 15km/9miles
A fine walk along the ridge of the Pentlands between Baddinsgill and the North Esk reservoir, with spectacular views in all directions, taking in the Lothians, the Forth Bridge and Fife. The summit of Mount Maw is at 535m.
Start/Finish - West Linton
Leave the village by walking up the Loan, which is the unmade road leading uphill directly opposite the Gordon Arms and to the right of the Manor Garage...
Walk C3 – West Water Reservoir and Medwynhead
Time – 3-4 hours; Distance – 15km/9 miles
A long walk out into the high Pentland moorland, mostly on good tracks but with one short section across rough and boggy moorland. The return leg follows the route of walk B6, ‘Prehistoric Walk to West Linton’, which is worth taking with you for its useful historical notes.
Start/Finish - West Linton
Leave the village to the south and cross the A702, turning righ tup the minor road signposted to Baddinsgill. Head up the road for 1500m then turn left towards West Linton Golf Club...
Walk C4 – Peebles To West Linton Along The Old Drove Road
Time – 5 hours; Distance – 20km/12 miles
A lovely walk, the joy of which is that almost all of it is off-road, using very good and extremely efficiently signposted paths and tracks. The route has terrific views back to Peebles, passes through the Meldon Hills and through the Cloich Forest, moorland and faming land –a huge variety of scenery. The final stretch follows the route of walk A4, so it would be useful to take that route with you too if you go. You’ll also need OS Explorer sheet 337 for this one, although OS are a bit behind in marking the route on it and in revising the shape of the Cloich Forest.
Start – Peebles; Finish – West Linton
Leave Peebles via the A72 Glasgow road, turning right just past the Neidpath Inn onto Young Street (signposted ‘RC Church’ and ‘Rosetta’). Continue along past the Council offices and out of town...
Walk C5 – Cauldstane Slap, East Cairn Hill And The Bore Stane
Time – 6 hours; Distance – 20km/12 miles
A long walk out into the high Pentland moorland and to the top of East Cairn Hill at 561m, but the climb is steady apart from one steep section, mostly on well maintained footpaths but with the middle section between Cauldstane Slap and Bore Stane being across rougher moorland. There are superb views to the Ochils and Trossachs, to the Firth of Forth and to Edinburgh and beyond.
Start/Finish – West Linton
Leave the village by walking up the Loan, the unmade road leading uphill from the A702 opposite the Gordon Arms. Continue up the Loan for1.5 km to where a track joins from the left. Turn right (signposted ‘Carlops/Baddinsgill via Stoneypath’) and continue for 500m, then turn left (signposted ‘Little Vantage via Baddinsgill’), following the track through Stoneypath Farm...
Walk C6 – West Cairn Hill and Cauldstane Slap
Time – 2-3 hours; Distance – 12km/7 miles
A good walk out into the high Pentland moorland and to the top of West Cairn Hill at 562m. While not as long as other 'difficult' walks, the middle section climbing up West Cairn Hill is very tough going, crossing open and boggy moorland and then climbing steeply. There are superb views to the Ochils and Trossachs and to the Firth of Forth and beyond.
Start/Finish – Baddinsgill
From the A702, drive up the public road to Baddinsgill. Park in the open area at the end of the public road and continue on foot north along the tarmac road down hill and up again until the reservoir comes into view to your right...
Walk C7 – Mount Maw and East Cairn Hill Ridge Walk
Time – 4-5 hours; Distance – 14km/8.5 miles
A strenuous but rewarding circular walk along the ridge of the Pentlands between Baddinsgill and the North Esk
reservoir and then across to East Cairn Hill, returning via the Thieves Road, with spectacular views in all directions.
Start/Finish – Baddinsgill
Park in the open area at the end of the public road up to Baddinsgill, taking care not to block any gates. Walk back down the road towards West Linton and over the cattle grid, turning left off the road shortly afterwards at a fingerpost, following the ‘Carlops via Stoneypath’ sign...
Walk C8 – Kitchen Moss
Time – 3-4 hours; Distance – 15km/9 miles
A circular walk across high moorland that connects two trans-Pentland footpaths, with fine views to Edinburgh, the bridges, Fife and beyond, as well as views of the Pentlands ridge that cannot be seen from anywhere else.
Start/Finish – Ninemileburn
Park at the south end of Ninemileburn in the area where the lane turns through 90 degrees. Walk along the lane south-west for a few hundred metres, then turn right along the track up to Spittal Farm (signposted Buteland via North Esk Reservoir)...
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