Walking

RSPB Walks

Walking Route

Choose from one of the five RSPB sites in the South of Scotland or visit them all!

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Sanquhar to Wanlockhead

Walking Route  -

Hard

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. From the ruins of Sanquhar castle, the incredible landscape art of the Crawick Multiverse to the industrial heritage of Wanlockhead this section gives an opportunity to explore the history and culture of the area.

height

7.5mi

12km

trending_flat

1,902ft

580m

trending_flat

1,017ft

310m

Towns along route: Sanquhar, Wanlockhead

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Selkirk to Melrose

Walking Route

This is one of five sections of the Borders Abbeys Way and climbs out of Selkirk to cross Selkirk Hill, which is a haven for wildlife and flowers.

Towns along route: Galashiels, Melrose

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Smailholm and Mellerstain

Walking Route  -

Hard

This circular route from Smailholm follows paths and tracks passing through farmland, woodland and underneath the dramatic Smailholm Tower.

height

8mi

13km

trending_flat

754ft

230m

trending_flat

754ft

230m

Towns along route: Smailholm, Kelso

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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.

height

8.5mi

13.5km

trending_flat

1,902ft

580m

trending_flat

1,968ft

600m

Towns along route: Innerleithen

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Sprouston Circular

Walking Route  -

Hard

This circular route from Sprouston follows the banks of the River Tweed before returning to the village along an old railway line.

height

7mi

11.5km

trending_flat

230ft

70m

trending_flat

230ft

70m

Towns along route: Sprouston, Kelso

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St Abbs and Coldingham Bay on the Creel Path

Walking Route  -

Easy

A circular route from Coldingham taking in the historic Creel Path and the very attractive fishing harbour at St Abbs.

height

4mi

6.5km

trending_flat

394ft

120m

trending_flat

394ft

120m

Towns along route: Coldingham, St Abbs

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St Abbs to Eyemouth

Walking Route  -

Easy

Part 3/4 of the Berwickshire Coastal path route. The most popular part of the full route and the shortest. Key points of interest along this walk: Coldingham: In the early 700s the first English historian, Bede, wrote about a place named urbs Coludi or Colud’s fort and the village of Coldingham represents the settlement of the descendants of Colud.

height

4mi

6.5km

trending_flat

558ft

170m

trending_flat

623ft

190m

Towns along route: St Abbs, Eyemouth

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St Boswells to Edinburgh

Walking Route  -

Easy

The Jubilee Path (named to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee) is a very popular woodland walk between Rockcliffe and Kippford which can be combined with the lower 'Woodpecker' route to make a lovely circular route in the outstanding landscape of the East Stewartry Coast National Scenic Area.

height

1.5mi

2.5km

trending_flat

131ft

40m

trending_flat

131ft

40m

Towns along route: Kippford

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St Helen’s Church and Hutton’s Unconformity at Siccar Point

Walking Route  -

Easy

A linear route out to the stunning view point above Siccar Point. The scramble down to the rock formations is difficult and hazardous; check tide times if you are tempted.

height

1.5mi

3km

trending_flat

328ft

100m

trending_flat

328ft

100m

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St John’s Town of Dalry to Sanquhar

Walking Route  -

Challenge

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. The start of the section goes through farmland, getting higher and wilder as you pass around Ardoch Hill and start climbing Culmark Hill.

height

26.5mi

42.5km

trending_flat

3,575ft

1,090m

trending_flat

3,411ft

1,040m

Towns along route: St. Johns Town of Dalry, Sanquhar

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St Mary’s Loch to Traquair

Walking Route  -

Hard

This route is one of 12 sections of the Southern Upland Way. After passing sculptures, a historic tower and remote moorland you will end up at a small village with a country house.

height

10mi

16km

trending_flat

1,378ft

420m

trending_flat

1,640ft

500m

Towns along route: Traquair

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St Ninian’s Cave to Isle of Whithorn

Walking Route  -

Easy

This walk finishes at the end destination of the long distance Whithorn Way route, however it has some variations to the route.

height

5mi

8km

trending_flat

131ft

40m

trending_flat

262ft

80m

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St Ronan’s Woodland

Walking Route  -

Moderate

Although this is a short circular there are climbs in the wood but these are well worth it for the views.

height

1.5mi

2.5km

trending_flat

459ft

140m

trending_flat

459ft

140m

Towns along route: Innerleithen

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Swinnie Woods

Walking Route  -

Easy

A short circular through the Swinnie Plantation offering a safer environment for dog walking. You will pass through Swinnie Woods which is one of the smallest woodlands managed by Forestry Commission Scotland in the Scottish Borders.

height

4mi

6.5km

trending_flat

492ft

150m

trending_flat

492ft

150m

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Target Burn & Whita Hill

Walking Route  -

Moderate

Terrain inlcudes roads, tracks and open hill. Some parts can be muddy so boots are advised. Leave the Kilngreen car park at the north end and and immediately turn left over the Saw Mill Bridge (over the Ewes Water).

height

4.5mi

7km

trending_flat

1,115ft

340m

trending_flat

1,115ft

340m

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The Barony Loops

Walking Route  -

Easy

Two short loops exploring the countryside west of Eddleston along farmland and woodland tracks with a chance to visit the Polish Map of Scotland; a relief map in the grounds of Barony Castle created as a memorial to the Scottish people for their hospitality to Polish soldiers during WWII.

height

2.5mi

4.5km

trending_flat

394ft

120m

trending_flat

394ft

120m

Towns along route: Eddleston

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The Cloich Loop

Walking Route  -

Moderate

A relatively easy 8 mile circular due to the terrain consisting mainly of forestry tracks, farm tracks and country roads; great views out to the Moorfoot Hills.

height

8.5mi

14km

trending_flat

1,115ft

340m

trending_flat

1,115ft

340m

Towns along route: Eddleston

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The Crow Green, Lennel Haugh

Walking Route  -

Easy

An interesting circular through the historic town of Coldstream and by the River tweed. When Coldstream was built up in the early 18th century there was no bridge over the River Tweed to England.

height

3.5mi

5.5km

trending_flat

394ft

120m

trending_flat

394ft

120m

Towns along route: Coldstream

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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.

height

12mi

19km

trending_flat

2,001ft

610m

trending_flat

2,001ft

610m

Towns along route: Traquair

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The Hanging Tree

Walking Route  -

Moderate

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

height

2.5mi

4km

trending_flat

558ft

170m

trending_flat

558ft

170m

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The Lees Riverside

Walking Route  -

Easy

A short circular by The Lees woodland and the River Tweed. The Lees Estate includes a ‘temple’ building created as part of its designed landscape in the late 18th century when follies were fashionable additions to create elegant views and romantic scenes.

height

1.5mi

2.5km

trending_flat

230ft

70m

trending_flat

230ft

70m

Towns along route: Coldstream

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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.

height

3mi

5km

trending_flat

131ft

40m

trending_flat

131ft

40m

Towns along route: Chirnside

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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.

height

5.5mi

9km

trending_flat

689ft

210m

trending_flat

689ft

210m

Towns along route: Denholm, Minto

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The National Trust for Scotland’s St Abbs Head Nature Reserve

Walking Route  -

Easy

An excellent route for birdwatching or just taking in the stunning coastline on the Berwickshire coast. This National Trust for Scotland Nature Reserve at St Abbs is arguably the most spectacular section of the Berwickshire coastline.

height

3.5mi

5.5km

trending_flat

689ft

210m

trending_flat

689ft

210m

Towns along route: St Abbs

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The Sware Circuit

Walking Route  -

Easy

This circular route follows the River Tweed before going over the lower Manor Bridges and passes the viewpoints on The Sware road.

height

4mi

6.5km

trending_flat

558ft

170m

trending_flat

558ft

170m

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The Teviot, Wilton Lodge Park and Violet Woods

Walking Route  -

Easy

The elegant Wilton Lodge Park is well worth exploring with its gardens, mature trees and monuments. There is also a museum with temporary and permanent exhibitions.

height

2.5mi

4km

trending_flat

328ft

100m

trending_flat

328ft

100m

Towns along route: Hawick

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The Three Brethren

Walking Route  -

Moderate

One of Scottish Borders’ iconic hills (465m), topped with three impressive cairns demarking the meeting of three estates – Buccleuch Estate, Yair Estate and Selkirk Burgh.

height

6.5mi

10.5km

trending_flat

1,607ft

490m

trending_flat

1,607ft

490m

Towns along route: Galashiels

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The Toll house Circular

Walking Route  -

Easy

This is a pleasant short circular route crossing the Leithen Water and the River Tweed over the Haughhead Viaduct part of the infrastructure of the old railway line.

height

3mi

5km

trending_flat

197ft

60m

trending_flat

197ft

60m

Towns along route: Innerleithen

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The Tweed Walk to Lyne

Walking Route  -

Moderate

A good circular that mainly follows the banks of the River Tweed and passes Neidpath Castle and Barns Tower, part of the Benson and Wemyss Estate.

height

7.5mi

12km

trending_flat

787ft

240m

trending_flat

787ft

240m

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