Around Minch Moor and Plora Craig

A big forest walk exploring Elibank and Traquair Forest following part of the Southern Upland Way; look out for the Cheese Well so you can leave an offering for the fairies!

You may also wish to take the short detour up hill to reach the summit of Minch Moor. This is a route through a forestry plantation and tracks can be as disorientating as hill routes please carry a detailed map like an ordnance survey and be prepared to turn back if there are forestry operations.

1. Leave Alexandra car park and take the riverside footpath towards Tweed Bridge. Cross the bridge and at the other side veer left to take the back road to Elibank passing West Bold. After a little more than 1km turn right into Glenbenna and pass between the houses and the machinery yard – take care at this point and remember it is a working area. Follow this track for just over 2km and at the junction keep to the right.

2. At the top of the valley the track crosses the burn, after 100m turn right. After 400m take a sharp left turn heading south. Follow this track uphill for 2.5km until you reach the Southern Upland Way (SUW).

3. Turn right onto the SUW and follow this for 800m until there is a sign pointing to the top of the Minch Moor which has a trig point and a cairn. If you wish to sample the magnificent views from here then take a detour to the summit. If not continue on the SUW. You may want to appease the fairies by leaving them a piece of bread at the Cheese Well as you pass.

4. Continue on the SUW for 1.7km. Turn right and follow the forestry track downhill (for 6km) to reach Plora Wood. Turn right onto the road then left to head back into Walkerburn.