Walk 2045 - printer friendly version

Capel Fell via Sailfoot Law & Broken Back Hill Walk

Author - Simon Tweedie

Length - 5.8 miles / 9.4 km

Ascent - 2000 feet / 606 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference NT136079
Lat 55.357483 + Long -3.3643615
Postcode DG10 9LG (approx. location only)

The walk starts 5 miles north east of Moffat on the A708 at the Selcoth Fish Farm. There is limited parking at the entrance of the farm (Grid ref. NT136079).

This walk is a good introduction to the Moffat Hills as it climbs quite high to 678m but the going is not too steep or strenuous. There are some great views of the hills on the other side of Moffat Dale across to Black Hope and Saddle Yoke (see walk 2008).

Starting at the entrance to the Selcoth fish farm, follow the farm track over the bridge and past Sailfoot house continuing up through the forest to the top. The track divides halfway up. You can take either way as they meet at the top in the col between Sailfoot Law and Capel Fell.

It is worth taking a small detour to Sailfoot Law for the views below. Retracing your steps back to the forestry track follow the quad bike track that runs straight up to the fence at the summit of Capel Fell. Hopefully you will be rewarded with some stunning views over Ettrick Forest where the outlaw William Wallace spent much time hiding out.

Continue along the fence line in a south easterly direction until you meet the fence that runs west towards Broken Back Hill. Avoiding the steep ground that drops down to Bill Cleuch lose height down to the twin humps of Broken Back. Keeping left towards the Selcoth Burn, pick up the foot path that runs through the fish farm and back to the road

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