Glenbenna and Plora

This circular is quite long through the forest but there are excellent views and the forestry tracks allow a better pace.

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.
Plora Wood is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); it is one of only five oak woods over 30 acres in the Scottish Borders. The Woodland Trust acquired the site in 1986. This wood grows on a steep sided north-facing slope. Plora Wood is mentioned in Royal grants from the twelfth century and can be seen on the earliest maps. In the First World War a large area of it was felled for firewood.

1. With Alexandra car park in Walkerburn and the river at your back turn right onto Leithen Road. After 50m turn right between two houses and cross the river over the Cuddy Bridge. After crossing the bridge turn right and then left and left to follow the higher path along to Pirn Fort. Follow this path north for 1km.

2. Go gently uphill in a south-westerly direction for 150m, then take a sharp turn to the right. You will now be heading north, follow this track for 1.5km and continue to follow as it bends round to the left along Bold Rig. At Shiel Craig it is worth stopping to take the view north down to the valley floor and up to the hills.

3. Follow the track as it turns south, stay on it for 1.75km as it bends to the right and heads north. The next section runs parallel with the Plora ridge. Due to sections of clear felling the views over to the Moorfoots are very grand.

4. Keep on this track for 2.5km until you reach a junction. At the junction stay to the right and continue on the track until it bends to the left, now heading west. After 1km turn right at a junction to head north again. After 600m follow the track as it bends to the right and heads east.