At 623m Dundreich is one of the higher points of the Moorfoot Hills north of Peebles. The ascent of the hill from the village of Eddleston is straightforward thanks to a grassy ATV track up to its summit.

  • Distance: 14km / 8.7 miles
  • Ascent: 540m / 1770 feet
  • Terrain: Grassy ATV tracks up the hill, and tracks/paths around the loch. Short section off path.
  • Start / finish: Eddleston Parish Church, Bellfield Road, Eddleston, near Peebles. Grid ref: NT 24395 47234.

Route Map

Route map

Start from Eddleston Parish Church where the road becomes a grass path around field edges. The path joins the track to Boreland Farm. Keep straight on past the farm still following the track. A couple of hundred metres after passing through a strip of woodland, leave the track heading right, up grassy slopes to meet with an ATV track. This grassy track now provides an easy walk up the south-western shoulder of Brown Dod and Dundreich. On a clear day there are lovely views over the northern Borders from the summit cairn and trig pillar.

From the summit it is approx. 700m to the neighbouring summit of Jeffries Corse. A bit of fence hopping is required at this point. Return to the coll between the two hills and pick a route down the hillside in a north-westerly direction. This section is off path on tussocky ground but its not particularly hard going. Keep to the higher ground so as not to lose height where a river valley starts to form. Once around the head of the valley keep to the right hand (north-east) side of the forestry plantation (currently being felled) where a rough path starts to form. The path can now be followed down to Portmore Loch through newly planted trees.

At the loch there is the option of turning left for a short-cut back to Eddleston but to continue with the full route turn right and follow the vehicle track around the loch in an anti-clockwise direction. After circling around the northern end of the loch, the track enters woodland and veers right away from the water. Keep to the main track through the woodland avoiding the estate’s “private area” to the left. When a junction is reached, keeping right is the most direct route, but bearing left provides a worthwhile diversion to the Northshield Rings fort site. Keep left at the next junction to reach the open area of moorland where the fort site is located.

Head back along the track in the direction you came from, but go left at the first junction and follow this track back to reach the main track from the loch. Turn left and continue through the woods passing the impressive Portmore House and its grounds. On reaching an ornamental pond, the main track continues straight on to reach the estate entrance on the main road. Don’t exit out to the road though but instead pick up a woodland path on the left. This path follows the route of the old road and very soon becomes the old road passing Cottage Bank and leading back to Eddleston.