Skip to content

4 Abbeys

Cycling Route

4 Abbeys

Cycling

The 4 Abbeys is a circular route linking the four main abbeys in the Scottish Borders at Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh.

The route follows mainly quiet roads, although short stretches on ‘A‘ roads are unavoidable, a scenic route that takes in many historic interest points in the region either on the route or close by. The route is moderate with a couple of steep but fairly short hills. It is normally tackled in a clockwise direction, but can be done either way. If required overnight stops can be made in Melrose, St Boswells, Kelso or Jedburgh and the route can be started or finished from these locations.

Please allow at least 7 hours 45 minutes to complete it, excluding the time taken to enjoy the destinations along the way.

height
Distance:
56mi / 90km
trending_flat
Total climb:
4,133ft / 1,260m
trending_flat
Total descent:
4,133ft / 1,260m
Towns along route:
Jedburgh
Difficulty:
Hard
Our best efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of data, however the data and geographic information contained along route lines and on maps should be used for informational purposes only.

What you'll see

Kelso Abbey - Kelso

Early Christian, Religious Buildings, Ruins

This is the oldest and was, at one time, the largest of the Border Abbeys and one of the best examples of Romanesque (Norman)architecture in…


Jedburgh Abbey - Jedburgh

Visitor Attractions

There is no known building on this site until the 11th or 12th century. A priory was founded by King David I (1124-53) in 1138.…


Melrose Abbey - Melrose

Visitor Attractions

Melrose Abbey was founded around 1136 by King David I and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Border abbeys were centres of learning, politics,…


Jedburgh

Towns & Villages

Jedburgh lies on the Jed Water, a tributary of the River Teviot.