Soonhope and Lee Pen

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.

We recommend that you park in Innerleithen and take the bus to the start of your walk in Peebles. Although the ascents and descents are not severe there is a notably steep descent at Leithen Door.

1. Alight at the bus stop nearest to Peebles Hydro. Cross the road, turn right then left, following the road until it ends. Go through the gate and follow the track for 1.2km to a choice of paths.

2. Take the grassy ride steeply uphill easterly. At the small cairn on Kittlegairy Hill, head towards the dry-stane dyke through a gap in the trees. Turn left, go uphill to a corner in the dyke and go through the open gateway.

3. Cross two tracks and continue uphill on the Soonhope Craig route. After 2km you will reach a track/wall running north-south.

4. Cross these to follow the right of way between trees. When the path swings right, take a little path to your left out to the boundary wall. Cross over the gate (careful of the wire!). Turn right onto the hill to follow the ridge towards Leithen Door Hill.

5. Descend steeply from the summit. Follow the ridge for 1.4km over Black Law and onto Clog Knowe. The ridge then turns south towards Black Knowe.

6. Continue south on the ridge to Lee Pen (2.5km from Black Knowe). From Lee Pen summit, go over the ladder stile southerly. Go through four fields to reach St Ronan’s Woodland, then follow the tarmac track back down into Innerleithen.