Bowmont Forest

A short circular in this forest that enjoys stunning views at several points. The route we have suggested here follows the green arrows, Roxburghe Estates have also marked two other routes for you to follow. 1.

Start at the small car park in the forest, return back to the tarmac lane and turn left. In about 500m turn left at a cross track on to a clear grassy track. At the next cross track in a further 400m, turn left again. Pass a seat with a plantation of young trees to the left and at the T Junction, turn right. Bowmont Forest was first planted in 1816 and now extends to 196ha.

2. At a junction in 50m go straight ahead. Reach the edge of the forest and turn left, with a fine vantage point across to the Cheviot Hills to your right. Watch out for hares, foxes and roe deer.

3. Keep ahead at the cross track; at a hide keep ahead again. At the next junction go straight on, now in mixed woodland. The track swings at the forest edge, and on the horizon, half-right ahead is the thin pencil of the Waterloo Monument.

4. Keep ahead at the cross track with a seat, and stay on the main track round several bends to pass right of a house and then, with the saw mill ahead, turn left. In 400m at a T Junction turn right to return to the car park.

Bowmont Forest lies 3 miles south of Kelso off the B6436.