Get Lost Mountaineering

Hartfell Spa & Well Rig from Annandale

Start/Finish

About 3 miles up Annandale. There is no car park but it seems possible to park in front of a green corrugated iron house provided no gates are blocked. There is also some rough verge parking nearby. From the centre of Moffat take the A701 for Edinburgh. Whilst still in Moffat, go past the large church, on the right, to reach a small roundabout. Fork right here, Beech Grove, and continue for about 3 miles up Annandale. The route starts at a sign about 100 m after the green building.

Distance/Time

7 km.    About 3 hours.

Peaks

No peaks but highest point reached is about 530 m at a gate on Well Rig.

Explorer 330: Moffat & St. Mary's Loch

Introduction

Hartfell Spa sits in a steep sided gully which is easily approached in little more than an hour from the road. This route continues up the gully above the spa and climbs out of its head then descends down Well Rig from which there are good views to Hart fell, Whitehope Heights and the Devil's Beef Tub.

Route

(1) About 100 m past the green building take the signed path to Hart Fell Spa. Follow this, shadowing the stream. The path is faint in places but there are occasional signs. Further on, it becomes a track well above the stream and the entrance to the gully/gorge of Hart fell Spa soon becomes apparent. A path leaves the track just before the entrance and starts picking its way up the gully/gorge. Hart Fell Spa is reached which is a grass covered stone shelter. Continue up, on a fainter path, until the way ahead looks blocked by rock before a small waterfall. It is possible to climb out on the right but the slopes are steep and like loose shale. It is better to pick a way around to the left then rejoin the stream and follow it up and out of the head of the gully. Which ever option is chosen, look for a faint path heading roughly NNE. This joins the ATV track coming up Well Rig just before a fence and gate. If the fence is reached before the track then follow it NW to reach the gate.

(2) Descend the ATV track which goes down Well Rig which forms one side of Hartfell Spa gully. Almost at the end of the ridge, the track splits. Take the left fork and follow it down to the deer fence gate on the outward route just before the wood then retrace to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 15^th March, 2017, and about 15 years earlier.