Loch of the Lowes, Pikestone Knowe, Riskinhope Hope and Earl's Hill Loop

This medium-rated loop of about 12 km / 7.5 miles with roughly 400 m / 1,310 ft of ascent explores the hills and old pastoral ground between Loch of the Lowes and St Mary’s Loch in the Scottish Borders. The route begins near the former Tibbie Shiels Inn and the picnic/parking area on the A708 at St Mary’s Loch, beside the narrow channel linking the two lochs. That is the clearest significant landmark for the trailhead, and it is also the point most walkers use to access the surrounding paths. (ramblingscot.com)

The outing combines lochside scenery, broad upland views, a section of the Southern Upland Way, and a quieter return over open hill ground. Although the distance is moderate, the terrain makes it feel more substantial than the numbers suggest. Expect a mix of grassy tracks, rough hill paths, faint trods, wet patches, and some steeper climbing on the way up toward the ridge around Pikestone Knowe/Pikestone Rig. In dry weather it is a satisfying half-day hillwalk; after rain, sections can become soft, boggy, and slippery, especially around burns, lower pasture, and less-defined moorland stretches. (ramblingscot.com)

What the route feels like

From the start near the bridge between the two lochs, the route heads past the old inn site and out toward the quieter side of Loch of the Lowes. One of the striking features here is the relationship between the two lochs: they were once part of the same body of water, but are now divided by a natural barrier of deposited stone and sediment washed down by surrounding burns over long periods. That gives the opening section an unusual landscape character, with water close at hand and enclosing hills rising quickly beyond. (ramblingscot.com)

As the path rounds Earl’s Hill, the walking is generally straightforward at first, with a clear line and a gentle descent toward the burn crossings. This early section is a good place to settle into the route, but it is also where hikers should pay attention to underfoot conditions. Grass can hide wet ground, and small bridges or stream crossings may be slick in damp or frosty weather. (ramblingscot.com)

Soon the route reaches Riskinhope Hope, a ruined shepherd’s dwelling in a sheltered hollow. This is one of the most memorable landmarks on the loop. The ruin gives the walk a strong sense of the old working landscape of the Borders, when isolated hill farms and shepherding settlements were part of everyday life in what now feels like remote country. It is an evocative stop and a useful point to gauge progress before the main climb. (ramblingscot.com)

From Riskinhope Hope, the route climbs more decisively onto the higher ground of Pikestone Rig/Pikestone Knowe, where the effort becomes more noticeable. This is likely the toughest part of the day: the ascent is not alpine, but it is sustained enough to justify the medium rating, especially if there is wind, low cloud, or saturated ground. Once on the ridge, the gradient eases and the walk opens out into wider upland scenery, with views over Loch of the Lowes, St Mary’s Loch, and the surrounding Ettrick and Yarrow hills. The high point lies on flatter ridge terrain, but navigation can become less obvious where paths are faint or where multiple trods branch away. If visibility drops, checking the route carefully on HiiKER is sensible. (ramblingscot.com)

Landmarks, wildlife, and landscape character

The two lochs are the defining natural features of the walk. St Mary’s Loch is one of the best-known lochs in the Borders, while Loch of the Lowes feels smaller, quieter, and more enclosed by the surrounding slopes. The contrast between open water, rough pasture, heather moor, and old hill tracks gives the route a varied feel despite its modest length. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Wildlife is one of the pleasures of the area, though sightings are never guaranteed