Melrose Circular River Walk

10.4 miles (16.7 km)

This town in the Scottish Borders is a fine place for walkers with an historic abbey, riverside trails and nearby hill climbs to enjoy.
This circular walk from the town uses sections of the Borders Abbeys Way and the St Cuthbert's Way to visit the Eildon Hills and Dryburgh Abbey. There's some fascinating historical sites, great views from the high points and easy riverside trails to enjoy on the varied walk.
The walk starts in the town at the historic Melrose Abbey. The abbey was founded in 1136 as the first Cistercian monastery in Scotland. You can explore the atmospheric ruins and find out more about the history in the associated museum.
At the abbey you can pick up St Cuthbert's Way and follow the waymarked footpath south into the Eildon Hills. You'll pass the 422 metre high Eildon Mid Hill before passing through Broad Wood and arriving at Bowden. Here the path turns east to take you through Newton St Boswells where you cross the River Tweed. A riverside path heading south will then take you to Dryburgh Abbey. It's a very picturesque spot with the remarkably complete medieval ruin located by the River Tweed.
Retrace your steps to Newton St Boswells and you can pick up the Borders Abbeys Way and follow it north through Eildon to the Eildontree Stone. Shortly after you arrive back in Melrose.

Postcode

TD6 9LG - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Melrose Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Melrose Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Melrose OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Melrose Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Melrose

Eildon Hills - This circular walk climbs to a series of wonderful viewpoints above the town of Melrose on the Scottish Borders
Kelso - This town in the Scottish Borders is a fine place for riverside walking.
Borders Abbeys Way - Explore the Scottish Borders and visit several historical ruined abbeys on this interesting and beautiful circular walk
St Cuthbert's Way - This walk runs from Melrose in the Scottish Borders to Lindisfarne Castle and Holy Island
Southern Upland Way - This splendid route is one of the four official Long Distance Routes in Scotland and is Britain's first official coast to coast long distance foot-path
Leaderfoot Viaduct - This walk takes you to the impressive Leaderfoot Viaduct in Melrose on the Scottish Borders
Stichill Linn - This walk visits the pretty Stichill Linn Waterfall in the Scottish Borders near Kelso.
Jedburgh - This lovely town in the Scottish Borders has some interesting historic sites and some fine riverside footpaths.
4 Abbeys Cycle Route - This historic circular cycle route explores the countryside of the Scottish Borders
Scotts View - This walk visits a splendid viewpoint in the Scottish Borders, near Melrose.
Harestanes - This circular walk visits the Harestanes countryside centre near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders.
Fatlips Castle - This walk climbs to a wonderfully positioned peel tower�in�Roxburghshire, in the�Scottish Borders.
Tweedbank to Melrose - This waterside walk follows riverside trails and a popular section of the Southern Upland Way from Tweedbank to Melrose in the Scottish Borders.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head south from the town to visit nearby Jedburgh and explore the 12th century abbey ruins and enjoy a stroll alond the Jed Water river. On the way you will pass Harestanes where you can climb to the Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh hill and enjoy some fine views of the area. The Georgian Monteviot House and Gardens is also located in this area.
Just to the south west of Harestanes there's Fatlips Castle where you can enjoy a climb to a splendid 16th century peel tower and enjoy more wonderful views over Teviotdale.
For cyclists the 4 Abbeys Cycle Route passes through the area. The circular trail uses a series of quiet country lanes to visit the same 4 abbeys as the Borders Abbey Way. Most of the route is also suitable for walkers.
Just to the east of the town there's the climb to Scott's View to try. The viewpoint is named after Sir Walter Scott, author of novels�such as Ivanhoe�and�Rob Roy. From here you can enjoy some wonderful views over the town and the surrounding hills and countryside.