Local Walks

The Loanings, Chirnside

Walking Route -

Easy

An easy route around The Loanings (old lanes) that lead from the fields into the settlement. The Loanings are a network of paths and tracks to the north of Chirnside that offer a panoramic view of the Lammermuirs and the surrounding countryside on a clear day.

3mi

5km

131ft

40m

131ft

40m

Towns along route: Chirnside

Coldingham Priory Walk/Urbs Coludi Walk

Walking Route -

Easy

A short and interesting circular route through and around the historic and attractive village of Coldingham.

2mi

3.5km

230ft

70m

230ft

70m

Towns along route: Coldingham

Newmill from Teviothead

Walking Route -

Moderate

This is a hill route following old rights of way over Commonside Moor south of Hawick. The name Commonside suggests that there would have been common grazing rights for people in this parish at one time.

7.5mi

12km

886ft

270m

918ft

280m

Towns along route: Teviothead

Chirnside to Auchencrow

Walking Route -

Easy

A linear route between the settlements of Chirnside and Auchenrow taking in a section of the old railway line.

4.5mi

7km

262ft

80m

295ft

90m

Towns along route: Chirnside

Gavinton and Fogo

Walking Route -

Moderate

This is a linear route 4 1/2 miles in length so you will be covering double that distance if you walk back to Duns; a good way to explore these settlements on a cycle.

9mi

14.5km

525ft

160m

525ft

160m

Towns along route: Duns, Gavinton, Fogo

Ladylands, The ‘Totches Baulk’ and Tudhope

Walking Route -

Moderate

Explore the area west of Jedburgh on this circular route that is part urban part rural; following historic trails.

2mi

3.5km

525ft

160m

525ft

160m

Heiton and Bowmont Forest

Walking Route -

Hard

A long circular that passes through Heiton, south-west of Kelso, and explores a large area of arable land south-east of Kelso.

14.5mi

23.5km

1,181ft

360m

1,181ft

360m

Towns along route: Kelso

Ettleton

Walking Route -

Easy

An interesting short circular from the village exploring the historic Ettleton Cemetry and passing the Medieval monument, Milnholm Cross.

2.5mi

4.5km

262ft

80m

262ft

80m

Towns along route: Newcastleton

Raltonside and Blackburn

Walking Route -

Moderate

An attractive circular that follows the banks of Ralton Burn and crosses Black Burn before returning to the village by Pathhead Moss.

5mi

7.5km

623ft

190m

623ft

190m

The Hanging Tree

Walking Route -

Moderate

A short circular in Newcastleton Forest following an old drove road and passing by The Hanging Tree.

2.5mi

4km

558ft

170m

558ft

170m

Haystoun, The Cut and Cademuir

Walking Route -

Easy

A short circular exploring the area south of Peebles through Haystoun Estate and Cademuir Forest. The western edge of this walk follows the start of the John Buchan Way before turning east into Cademuir Forest, owned by Forestry Commission Scotland.

4mi

6km

426ft

130m

426ft

130m

Soonhope and Lee Pen

Walking Route -

Challenge

This linear route is a hill walk with great rewards both in terms of views and a stunning open ridge walk culminating down the steep slopes of Lee Pen.

8.5mi

13.5km

1,902ft

580m

1,968ft

600m

Towns along route: Innerleithen

The Glen and Birkscairn Hill

Walking Route -

Hard

Once you have left the attractive cottages and houses in The Glen this route is essentially a hill walk and you will need your ordnance survey map or equivalent.

12mi

19km

2,001ft

610m

2,001ft

610m

Towns along route: Traquair

Morebattle and Cliftoncote

Walking Route -

Hard

This figure of eight hill route offers good walking and great views of the Bowmont Valley hills. Although you will follow St Cuthbert’s Way (one of Scotland’s Great Trails) for part of the route it is a hill route and you will need to be able to use a detailed map, for example, an ordnance survey sheet.

9mi

14.5km

1,837ft

560m

1,837ft

560m

Towns along route: Maxton

Gala Circuit

Walking Route -

Challenge

This route is a challenge and includes Neidpath Hill, Clovenfords, Ladhope Woodland and Langlee Woodland.

17.5mi

28km

3,182ft

970m

3,182ft

970m

Towns along route: Clovenfords

Penchrise Hill

Walking Route -

Moderate

A gentle climb up to a prominent hill south of Hawick. Penchrise Hill (Pen) has a summit height of 439m/1440ft and rises above Slitrig Water to the east and Barns Loch to the west. In accordance with hill bagging lore the hill is classed as a Hump or Tump (400-499).

5mi

8.5km

820ft

250m

820ft

250m

Towns along route: Hawick

Gala Hill and Langlee Woodland

Walking Route -

Moderate

A circular around the town that passes through Gala Policies, Gala Hill and Langlee Woodland. This route follows the Southern Upland Way in parts.

7mi

11.5km

1,509ft

460m

1,509ft

460m

The Minto Hills

Walking Route -

Moderate

A circular route passing through the Minto Hills with the option of ascending to their summits; also passes through the settlement of Minto.

5.5mi

9km

689ft

210m

689ft

210m

Towns along route: Denholm, Minto

Morebattle to Jedburgh

Walking Route -

Hard

Following St Cuthbert’s Way and the Borders Abbeys Way (both routes are one of Scotland’s Great Trails) you can enjoy this route from Morebattle to Jedburgh.

11mi

17.5km

1,443ft

440m

1,476ft

450m

Towns along route: Maxton

Black Hill and Burnhouses

Walking Route -

Challenge

This is a long route that requires the user to have experience of reading maps. You may shorten the route by cutting through Burnhouses Dean and horses may take an alternative route at Birkenside Dean.

13mi

21km

1,771ft

540m

1,771ft

540m

Towns along route: Abbey St Bathans, Ellemford, Duns

Bonchester Bridge and Hill

Walking Route -

Moderate

Explore the area south of Bonchester Bridge on this circular route with an option to omit the climb up Bonchester Hill.

5mi

8km

951ft

290m

951ft

290m

Towns along route: Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk

Denholm to Bedrule

Walking Route -

Hard

Follow the Borders Abbeys Way to Bedrule returning to Denholm by the Rule Water. The old church in Bedrule is worth a visit it is a B-listed building and has a memorial plaque with a link to the Enigma Project.

6mi

9.5km

918ft

280m

918ft

280m

Towns along route: Denholm, Bedrule

Calaburn and Drinkstone Hill

Walking Route -

Hard

Following an old drove road and part of the Borders Abbeys Way this circular route goes over Drinkstone Hill.

12.5mi

20km

1,574ft

480m

1,574ft

480m

Towns along route: Hawick

Housebyres

Walking Route -

Moderate

A moderate circular taking you up to the pretty Byres Loch and returning on the Southern Upland Way along the River Tweed and over The Chain Bridge.

8mi

13km

1,082ft

330m

1,082ft

330m

Towns along route: Melrose

Lanton Moor and Timpendean Tower

Walking Route -

Hard

A circular route through farmland and woodland with an optional walk out to Timpendean Tower north-west of the town.

6.5mi

11km

787ft

240m

787ft

240m

Clarilaw and Boonraw

Walking Route -

Moderate

After following the The River Teviot this route explores the north of the town along old tracks. The River Teviot rises in the foothills of Comb Hill on the border with Dumfries and Galloway; it joins the River Tweed to the southwest of Kelso.

9mi

14.5km

853ft

260m

853ft

260m

Towns along route: Hawick

Buxton – Greenhead – Lindean

Walking Route -

Moderate

An enjoyable circular exploring the north-east area of the town following old tracks with great views of Selkirk Town.

5mi

8km

886ft

270m

886ft

270m

Vertish Hill and Willistruther Loch

Walking Route -

Moderate

A circular route through woodland and farmland over Vertish Hill and out to Willistruther Loch. The path around the Loch has recently been improved thanks to grant money and you may wish to follow the path around the loch while you are there.

6mi

10km

1,115ft

340m

1,115ft

340m

Towns along route: Hawick

Hornshole, Ormiston and Cavers

Walking Route -

Moderate

Following the old railway line out of Hawick this route explores the area north-east of the town crossing over the infamous Hornshole Bridge; infamous due to the battle fought here in 1514.

7mi

11km

984ft

300m

984ft

300m

Towns along route: Hawick

Venlaw and Soonhope

Walking Route -

Hard

A short circular with a big punch (it feels longer than it actually is) in a popular glen in Peebles due to great views south over to Hundleshope Heights; includes a short steep climb and descent.

3.5mi

5.5km

558ft

170m

558ft

170m

Local Walks

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Walking Route - Easy

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