Walking tours in the South of Scotland - Page 5 of 8

Larkhall Burn and the Jedburgh Circular Route

Walking Route -

Moderate

Following part of the Jedburgh Circular Riding Route you can explore the area south-west of the town through woodland and the track above Skipping Burn.

4.5mi

7.5km

558ft

170m

558ft

170m

Lauder to Longformacus

Walking Route -

Challenge

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. Leaving Lauder and passing by the dramatic Thirlestane Castle you will start to gain height.

15mi

24km

1,870ft

570m

1,771ft

540m

Towns along route: Lauder, Longformacus

Leaderfoot Circular

Walking Route -

Moderate

A relatively long circular that has great views from Goat’s Brae and returns south to cross the River Tweed by the banks of the Leader Water.

9mi

14km

1,115ft

340m

1,115ft

340m

Towns along route: Melrose, Newstead, Gattonside

A pleasant short circular in the U-shaped river side between the Leet Water and the River Tweed. When Coldstream was built up in the early 18th century there was no bridge over the River Tweed to England.

2.5mi

4km

197ft

60m

197ft

60m

Towns along route: Coldstream

Lindean Loch Nature Reserve

Walking Route -

Easy

An attractive short circular excellent for bird watching both for water-fowl on the loch and song birds in the deciduous trees or just enjoy the scenery.

1mi

2km

33ft

10m

33ft

10m

Towns along route: Galashiels

Loch Trool Circular

Walking Route -

Moderate

A strenuous circular lochside and forest walk. 8.5km/5½ miles -allow 3 hours. Covers hard surface paths and tracks.

6mi

9.5km

1,050ft

320m

1,050ft

320m

Lochmaben or Lockerbie to Hoddom Bridge

Walking Route -

Hard

This is one of five sections of the Annandale Way, with varying routes to be taken. FROM LOCHMABEN Head south out of the town and bear right after the church (signposted for Dalton/Hightae) turning left immediately after the bowling green and then right onto the Castle Loch Walk.

14.5mi

23km

1,542ft

470m

1,443ft

440m

Towns along route: Lochmaben

Longformacus to Cockburnspath

Walking Route -

Challenge

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. At first you will be following the path through a mixture of farmland and woodland.

18.5mi

29.5km

2,230ft

680m

2,657ft

810m

Towns along route: Longformacus, Cockburnspath

Lovers’ Walk, Martyrs’ Stake and Wigtown Harbour

Walking Route -

Easy

Circular town, country and shore walk. 2.7km/1.5 miles to 5.2km/3 miles long - allow 1-3 hours depending on route.

2mi

3km

164ft

50m

164ft

50m

Towns along route: Wigtown

Manderston Circular

Walking Route -

Easy

This circular mainly follows country roads, although be aware that the last section is along a scant pavement by the A6105.

6mi

9.5km

328ft

100m

328ft

100m

Towns along route: Duns

Mangerton Tower

Walking Route -

Easy

A mainly circular route crossing the Liddel Water over Holm Bridge, passing Mangerton Tower (ruins of former Armstrong tower house) and returning on a country road.

4.5mi

7km

262ft

80m

262ft

80m

Meigle Circular

Walking Route -

Moderate

This route is mainly through farmland and includes a climb up to Meigle Hill that on clear days affords excellent views.

6.5mi

10km

1,345ft

410m

1,345ft

410m

Towns along route: Clovenfords

Melrose to Kelso

Walking Route

This is one of five sections of the Borders Abbeys Way and consists of country lanes, riverside paths, arable farmland, and scenic views.

Towns along route: Newstead, Bowden, Jedburgh

Melrose to Lauder

Walking Route -

Hard

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. Starting in the historic town of Melrose you will start by crossing the River Tweed on the Gattonside suspension bridge.

9.5mi

15.5km

1,148ft

350m

853ft

260m

Towns along route: Melrose, Lauder

Melrose to Old Melrose

Walking Route -

Easy

An interesting circular passing Trimontium (Roman Camp), Old Melrose (original site of Melrose Abbey) and The Rhymer’s Stone.

6.5mi

10.5km

525ft

160m

525ft

160m

Towns along route: Melrose, Newstead

Minchmoor Road and Southern Upland Way

Walking Route -

Moderate

This route follows the old Minchmoor Road up to join the Southern Upland Way going east past Broomy Law before returning to Yarrowford past the former youth hostel at Broadmeadows.

7.5mi

12km

1,410ft

430m

1,410ft

430m

Towns along route: Yarrowford

Mochrum to Whithorn

Walking Route -

Easy

This is section 12 of the Whithorn Way, one of the important final sections of the 149-mile long distance walking route from Glasgow Cathedral to Whithorn Priory.

8.5mi

14km

328ft

100m

262ft

80m

Moffat to Devils Beef Tub Loop

Walking Route -

Hard

This is one of five sections of the Annandale Way. The only section with serious altitude gain is the Devil's Beef Tub Loop which rises to 1640 ft / 500m - bit of rough ground so be prepared.

11.5mi

18.5km

1,935ft

590m

1,837ft

560m

Towns along route: Moffat

Moffat to the A701/Raehills

Walking Route -

Moderate

This is one of five sections of the Annandale Way. Starting from the old Moffat station car park, turn right and walk for about a mile on the A701 using the left hand side footpath, before turning left at the sign for Moffat Community Nature Reserve (that and Dyke Farm Nature Reserve both well worth a visit) through the fields of Dyke Farm, marching first a Roman Road and then the Southern Upland Way under the A74(M) and as you enter Beattock village, turn right up the Crooked Brae, over the bridge with traffic lights and uphill for a mile or so.

8.5mi

13.5km

590ft

180m

787ft

240m

Towns along route: Moffat

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

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

Mull of Galloway Trail

Walking Route -

Challenge

The Mull of Galloway Trail runs from the Mull to Stranraer and continues north as the Loch Ryan Coastal Path for a total distance of 37 miles to Glenapp in South Ayrshire where it links with the Ayrshire Coastal Path.

26.5mi

42.5km

1,804ft

550m

1,968ft

600m

Towns along route: Ardwell, Sandhead, Stranraer

Nature Walks

Walking Route

Whether you're in a town or out in the countryside, here's a small a selection of walks that will let you explore the natural environment.

New Abbey to Waterloo Monument

Walking Route -

Hard

A 3.5 km/2½miles strenuous walk to the Waterloo Monument. Covers hard surfaced paths with steps, gates and minor road.

1mi

1.5km

558ft

170m

0ft

New Galloway to Dalry

Walking Route -

Easy

A long linear riverside walk. 18km/11 miles (return), allow 6 hours to complete. Covers hard surface and grass paths and roadside verge.

5mi

8km

328ft

100m

361ft

110m

Towns along route: St. Johns Town of Dalry, New Galloway

New Luce

Walking Route -

Moderate

A circular farmland and moorland walk, 3.5km/5½ miles long. Allow 3 hours to complete. Covers minor road, hard surface and grass tracks, soft in places.

6mi

10km

328ft

100m

295ft

90m

Towns along route: New Luce

New Luce to Mochrum

Walking Route -

Challenge

This is a long stretch of route with comparatively few places for refreshments : Glenluce has shops and cafes, as well as caravan parks.

21.5mi

34.5km

1,312ft

400m

1,345ft

410m

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

Ninewells and the Whiteadder Water

Walking Route -

Easy

A pleasant route from Chirnside passing along the Whiteadder Water and by Chirnsidebridge. You will pass Ninewells Dovecot dating back to the 16th century .

3.5mi

6km

426ft

130m

426ft

130m

Towns along route: Chirnside

Norham Bridge to Milne Graden

Walking Route -

Moderate

A circular from Norham Bridge over the River Tweed with an option to return along country roads. Norham Bridge connects Scotland and England between the settlements of Ladykirk and Norham north of Coldstream.

6.5mi

10.5km

492ft

150m

492ft

150m

Towns along route: Coldstream

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