Moorfoots central
Ascent : 750m, distance : 14km
A tougher route than the main route, in that there are fewer paths to walk up and more heather to trudge through. This quiet route also takes in Whitehope Law.
Getting there
The route starts and ends just south of Blackhope Byre on the B709, 8km north of Innerleithen. There is limited roadside parking on the verge.
Windlestraw Law
Start walking up the road back towards Blackhope Byre and as the house and bridge are approached, a gate is met on the east side of the road.
Through this gate, follow a grassy track south then east up Glentress Rig onto Wallet Knowe. As the track approaches a line of grouse butts, it becomes less distinct travelling through heather and moss. It reapears further on nearing a fenceline. At the top butt the track ends, but a faint path running alongside the fenceline can be followed to the summit of Windlestraw Law. Fine views to Eildons.
Eastside Heights
Aim nwn then north following the fenceline on a faint trod. Gradually bog and marsh eat the trod, but where the fence takes a sharp turn north-west and cross to the eastern side of the fence to pick up tracks making for easier progress thru the grass and heather. Keep to the east side of fence all way to Eastside Heights, zigzagging to avoid the occasional patches of man-eating bog on the way. The summit is marked by a change in direction of fence line.
Whitehope Law
Jump the fence line and drop north-east on grassy tussocky ground to the road just south of it's highest point. Cross the road, go thru a gate and on a grassy track climb up to the spot height of 489m. The track briefly drops, then climbs gently towards the moorland crest north of Middle Hills. It doesn't quite reach the crest before disappearing into heather and moss, however a fenceline is quickly met and followed to Middle Hill's summit, a gate in the fence marking the top. Although there are faint traces of track off left (east), broadly keep to the fence, bounding over the heather up to Whitehope Law, its summit marked by a small pile of stones.
Return
Turn east, the heather is left behind and downhill becoms a joy, running on grass. No paths or fence to follow, but Glentress Water is quickly met and easily crossed to return to the route's starting point.