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Whitehope Heights from above Devil's Beef Tub

Whitehope Heights from above Devil's Beef Tub

Start/Finish

Entrance to forestry track and Annandale Way at NT 056 127. It is possible for a few cars to park sensibly by the wide entrance. Other parking places are nearby towards Moffat. The entrance is about 5 miles north of Moffat on the A 701.

Distance/Time

8 km.    About 4 hours.

Peaks

Whitehope Heights, 637 m, NT 095 139.      Explorer 330: Moffat & St. Mary's Loch

Introduction

Whitehope Heights is a Donald and a distant outlier of Hart Fell. On its own, it is most conveniently climbed from the A701 above the Devil's Beef Tub which starts one at an altitude of just under 400 m. Unfortunately, there is much up and down on the route so adding to the ascent but not massively so. Navigation is very easy with a wall/fence almost all the way to the summit. A short detour has been added to the return route to give good views into the Devil's Beef Tub from a path known as Strait Step.

Route

(1) Take the track signed as the Annandale Way but quickly branch off right (signed) and start climbing. Soon reach the trig point on Annandale Hill. Continue, on the obvious path, and descend to a small col. Note the Strait Step path going off right. This path will have been seen, in clear weather, whilst descending from Annandale Hill. The path crosses a steep gully which looks very difficult to cross but is actually quite easy. Continue on the ridge path, traversing Great Hill on its left. Descend slightly then ascend up steeper slopes to Chalk Rig Edge and continue over and down to a col where there is a well built cairn for the Annandale Way which goes right, S, here. Continue ahead though and climb quite steeply before the angle eases. A deer fence starts to converge from the right and the stile over it looms large. Reach the stile which has been disabled by having all its steps sawn off or removed completely! A hole has been cut in the fence so go through and ascend up the short slope. In about 30 m, reach the medium cairn which is the summit of Whitehope Heights, 637 m. Hart Fell towers ahead and looks close but quite a detour is needed to reach it.

(2) Retrace the outward route to the col before Annandale Hill then go left on the faint path known as the Strait Step. This traverses a steep hill side and a slip could have serious consequences. Reach the “awesome” gully seen from Annandale Hill and cross it easily then continue until good views are had down into the Devil's Beef Tub. Retrace back to the ridge then over Annandale Hill.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 6th March, 2017.

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