NO3931 : In Loving Memory
Urban walk with steep climbs and steps

Dundee Law

174m Elevation
78m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NO3931 : In Loving Memory

Bill Nicholls Photo source

Overview

Dundee Law is a prominent 174 m hill in central Dundee. Its trig point, war memorial and viewpoints overlook the city, River Tay and Fife. A circuit from Discovery Point combines the hill with city-centre streets and Dudhope Park.

Dundee Law

Overview

Dundee Law rises to 174 m in central Dundee, with views over the city, the Tay, Fife and the Sidlaw Hills. The natural summit lies beside the trig point north of the war memorial.

Discovery Point return circuit

Start beside Dundee railway station at Discovery Point (NO404298). The published circuit climbs via Constitution Road and Law Road to the summit trig point north of the war memorial, then descends through Dudhope Park and returns by Verdant Works and Overgate. Allow 2–3 hours for 5.25 km and 168 m of ascent.

The route passes inside Overgate shopping centre. Check its current opening hours and plan to reach that section while it is accessible. Use pedestrian crossings and take care at Lochee Road. Steep slopes and many steps make this more demanding than a level city stroll.

Access and facilities

There are separate car parks on Law Road and beside the summit memorial, listed by AccessAble as free. Discovery Point parking is charged. Toilets are beside the lower Law Road car park; the adapted toilet uses a RADAR key. Check opening arrangements before relying on the toilets.

The summit access road is shared with vehicles and has no pavement. Off-road paths include steep earth surfaces and steps. Cobbles and slopes around the visitor areas can require wheelchair assistance.

Geology and history

The hill is formed from Devonian intrusive igneous rock, described by the British Geological Survey as augite-porphyrite and an irregular sill. It cooled beneath the surface before erosion and glaciers exposed the resistant rock.

The Law has Bronze Age associations and an Iron Age hillfort. A nineteenth-century railway tunnel passed through it, and the war memorial was unveiled on 16 May 1925.

Nearby hill

Balgay Hill (146 m) is a separate hill to the west; its park is not the starting car park for the Discovery Point circuit.

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Dundee Law from Discovery Point (circular return)

Start at Discovery Point or Dundee railway station (NO404298). Climb through the city centre via Constitution Road, Kinghorne Road and Law Road, then follow the summit paths to the trig point north of the war memorial. After visiting the summit, descend through Dudhope Park and return past Verdant Works, along Ward Road and Barrack Street, through Overgate and via Union Street to Discovery Point. This complete circuit has 168 m of ascent and takes 2–3 hours. The Overgate section passes indoors: check the centre’s current opening hours and plan to reach it while access is available. Expect steep climbs, steps and busy road crossings.

5.3 km Urban walk with steep climbs and steps
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

100-199m hill

Elevation

174m

571 ft

Prominence

78m

Coordinates

56.4702, -2.9894

NO391313

OS Map

54

Explorer: 380E

At the Summit

The natural summit is ground beside the trig point north of the war memorial, at NO 39143 31326. Its elevation is 174 m; this does not include the memorial.

Terrain & Geology

Roads and pavements steep climbs woodland and earth paths and numerous steps; paved surfaces around the summit.

The Law is formed from Devonian intrusive igneous rock. The British Geological Survey describes augite-porphyrite and an irregular sill: molten rock cooled below the surface, between older rocks. Later erosion and glaciers exposed and shaped the resistant hill.

Views & Scenery

Panoramic views take in central Dundee, the waterfront, River Tay, Fife and the Sidlaw Hills, with more distant Perthshire hills visible in clear weather.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Law is a Scots word for a rounded, often conspicuous hill. The Scottish National Dictionary includes Dundee Law as an example and traces the word to Old English hlāw.

Historical Significance

The hill has Bronze Age associations and remains of an Iron Age hillfort. The Dundee to Newtyle railway once passed through a tunnel in the Law. The summit war memorial was unveiled on 16 May 1925.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

AccessAble lists free parking at the lower Law Road car park and beside the war memorial near the summit. These are different from the Discovery Point start, where the published circuit uses charged parking beside the railway station. Follow local parking signs.

Public Transport

Dundee railway station is beside the Discovery Point start; buses also serve the city centre. From there, the published circuit continues on foot to the Law. Check current services and your return connection before travelling.

Nearby Facilities

A toilet block is beside the lower Law Road car park. AccessAble records standard toilets and an adapted toilet requiring a RADAR key; check opening arrangements before relying on them. Summit viewpoints have seating. Slopes and cobbles may require assistance for wheelchair users.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The approach roads and off-road paths are steep, with many steps on the Discovery Point circuit. Take care on wet or icy surfaces.
  • The Law access road is shared with vehicles and has no pavement. Use the city-centre pedestrian crossings and take particular care at busy Lochee Road.
  • The published return passes through the covered Overgate shopping centre. Check its opening hours and plan the walk around access to this section.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Dundee Law?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Dundee Law through the maps

Are there other walkers around Dundee Law?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Dundee Law search or of course create your own walk for Dundee Law

Can I organise a walk to Dundee Law?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Dundee Law.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Dundee Law?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Dundee Law here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

Dundee Law location map

Grid reference: NO391313

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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