The Culter Water splits the popular horseshoe of Culter hills in two, with Culter Fellin the east being the highest of South Lanarkshire’s rolling hills. But Hudderstone and Gathersnow Hill, to the north and west of the river, are equally worthy of your attention. A steep climb leads on to a high moorland plateau, offering predominantly good walking conditions. But much of the terrain between Hudderstone and Gathersnow Hill is pathless, and good navigational and map reading skills are essential in poor weather.
[1] From the lay-by beside Culter Allers Farm, take the left fork and head south along a single-track road, which swings left by Birthwood. Here it continues alongside the lovely Culter Water. The road then turns right to cross a cattle grid onto a private road - cars cannot be taken any further but walkers are welcome.
[2] Continue along the quiet road and, once by a stone sheep enclosure (NT032305), bear right from the road (opposite a track for Kings Beck) through a gate and follow a path along a field edge beside the Culter Water to a narrow, wooden footbridge. Carefully cross this, go over a stile, turn left and follow the fence to a gate. Go through it then follow a strip of woodland (keeping it to your right) to its edge, turn right and climb very steeply west up the lower grassy slopes of Ward Law. The gradient eases a little as an indistinct path is picked up and heads south onto the rounded 1,581ft/482m summit of Ward Law (NT028298).
Here you can enjoy a lovely view over the flat expanse of the Clyde Valley.
[3] The path continues south as a gradual descent and then re-ascent leads over Woodycleuch Dod (NT027287). The path then broadens into a grassy track, which descends southwest onto a more defined ridge. This then turns southeast to climb (alongside a fence) onto Hudderstone (NT022271).
(A) At 2,053ft/626m, Hudderstone offers a superb vantage point to survey the surrounding landscape, with Tinto Hill’s elongated ridge particularly catching the eye.
[4] The next stage of the walk to Gathersnow Hill makes its way across a predominantly featureless plateau, which can be boggy in places. Descend from Hudderstone south then southeast along the line of a fence, crossing heathery ground over the flat upland table of Dod Hill (NT026265) and eventually passing by The Bank to reach a three-way junction of fences. Step over the fence ahead and continue to follow the line of another fence southeast, until a gradual climb leads to a ridge between Hillshaw Head and Gathersnow Hill (NT050252).
[5] Turn left here and follow another fence and an indistinct path northeast, with steep slopes dropping to the right, onto Gathersnow Hill (NT059258).
(B) At 2,257ft/688m, Gathersnow Hill is the highest point of the walk. There are wonderful views across Culter Reservoir to Culter Hill and north along the Clyde Valley. Many of the fine Scottish Border Hills, like Dollar Law, are easily identifiable, as are some of the Galloway hills, such as Hart Fell and Criffel.
[6] From Gathersnow Hill, retrace your steps over Dod Hill and back to Hudderstone.
[7] A fine descent drops gradually northwest to pick up a great track (NT015280). Turn right onto this and continue the descent north then northeast over Cowgill Rig (NT015294), eventually passing through a gate to reach a minor road (NT019304). Turn right and follow this quiet road, bearing left by Birthwood Farm to return to Culter Allers Farm.