6 to 8 nights
69 mls (km)
Scottish Borders
Easy to Moderate
Mar to Oct
£695

Easy Walking Routes Through Scotland’s Borders Abbeys Way

  • A walk that encompasses the captivating ruins of the Borders Abbeys
  • Walk through peaceful countryside, linked by the cobble streets of Georgian towns you stay in each night
  • The walk incorporates the volatile history of the Scottish Borders with historical features related to William Wallace
  • Catch sight of the grand Victorian viaduct running over the river Tweed
  • Visit Sir Walter Scott's fascinating home - Abbotsford Castle
  • Abundance of wildlife in the quiet countryside moorland
📷Scott's View, overlooking the valley of the River Tweed and the Eildon Hill, which is reputed to be one of the favourite views of Sir Walter Scott. Eildon Hill, Walter Scott's view

Walking the Borders Abbeys Way

The Borders Abbeys Way walk links historically significant 12th century abbeys placed at Melrose, Dryburgh, Jedburgh and Kelso. The abbeys have held host to a long history of travellers throughout the ages.

On quieter paths, you can trace the medieval routes of monks between the four borders abbeys. The route navigates farmland, forest and high moorland with fantastic panoramic views over the surrounding hills.

Take the ascent along old drovers' roads as well as the tracks and escape routes of the notorious 15th and 16th century Border Reivers. The final section of your walk follows the riverside paths of the Tweed as it meets its confluence with the River Teviot, past Kelso. From here, the path follows the River Teviot most of the way back to Jedburgh.

📷The old Drove Road from Selkirk, part of the Border Abbeys Way. Chris Heaton Selkirk-Drove-Road-Border-Abbeys-Way

This walk is also an opportunity to explore the charming historic market towns of the Borders; Jedburgh, Selkirk, Melrose and Kelso, with the latter's impressive Georgian buildings arranged around a cobbled market square. Melrose, is often cited as the loveliest of all the Borders towns, and at Melrose Abbey lies buried the casket containing the heart of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland and victor of Bannockburn.

Sights of historic Scottish interest are manifold along this route: Mary Queen of Scots’ House, Jedburgh Castle, views of Floors Castle - a fairy-tale castle of turrets and cupolas overlooking the Tweed, the shattered remains of Roxburgh Castle, once the strongest fortress in Scotland, wonderful viewpoints of Black Law, the Bishop’s Stone and Cauldshiels Loch plus Abbotsford, the delightful 'Conundrum Castle' built by Sir Walter Scott on the banks of the Tweed, all make this a walk to remember.

Border Abbeys Way walk map
Our Borders Abbeys walking route takes you on a circular walk around the Scottish Borders, starting in Jedburgh

Path Walkthrough

River banks, farm track and minor roads, with the going fairly gentle underfoot. Occasionally there are more strenuous sections following old cattle droving paths up the slopes, but these are generally rewarded with extensive views over the Eildon hills. Long stretches of this route are along the banks of the rivers Tweed and Teviot.

Your path begins where the Teviot and Tweed converge, breaking off from the confluence to follow the Tweed toward Hawick. Past the old gaol, this section up to Black Law is the largest ascent of the entire route, with further climbs up to Selwick. From here on the terrain is more level. Walking from Melrose to Kelso, the route follows the river Tweed, and it's worth taking a detour at St Boswell's to visit The Temple of the Muses. Back into Jedburgh, the route is alongside the river Teviot, before continuing along old railway line.

Our Borders Abbeys Way Itineraries

  • Jedburgh to Jedburgh
    Distance: 69 miles (111km)
    BAW1
    7 Nights, 6 Days
    from £840 pp
    Jedburgh to Jedburgh
        7 nights, 6 days
    Ref: BAW1
    Grade: Classic
    BAW2
    6 Nights, 5 Days
    from £695 pp
    Jedburgh to Jedburgh
        6 nights, 5 days
    Ref: BAW2
    Grade: Classic
    BAW3
    8 Nights, 7 Days
    from £920 pp
    Jedburgh to Jedburgh
        8 nights, 7 days
    Ref: BAW3
    Grade: Classic

    Our accompanying guide book describes the route from Jedburgh to Jedburgh. However, as this is a circular walk we are also very happy to start any of the itineraries at Melrose instead if preferred.

  • Melrose to Melrose
    Distance: 69 miles (111km)
    BAW4
    7 Nights, 6 Days
    from £805 pp
    Melrose to Melrose
        7 nights, 6 days
    Ref: BAW4
    Grade: Classic
    BAW5
    6 Nights, 5 Days
    from £695 pp
    Melrose to Melrose
        6 nights, 5 days
    Ref: BAW5
    Grade: Classic
    BAW6
    8 Nights, 7 Days
    from £920 pp
    Melrose to Melrose
        8 nights, 7 days
    Ref: BAW6
    Grade: Classic
    • Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
    • Breakfast
    • Luggage transfers
    • Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
    • Route planning
    • Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details

    You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.

    Our Borders Abbeys Way holidays are available to walk March to October.

    This area is generally less exposed than other walks in the same area, but out on open moorland you may find it difficult to make quick progress in harsher weather conditions.

    Avoiding the winter months on this walk should put you in good stead to observe the abbeys on this route in all the glory, without having to contend with limited daylight hours.

    Rail - The nearest railway station is located in Berwick upon Tweed: www.nationalrail.co.uk

    Bus – Local bus services to points on or close to the Borders Abbey Way are available www.borders buses.co.uk

    The bus from Berwick upon Tweed to Jedburgh takes just under 3 hours.

    Taxi - a taxi transfer can be arranged from Berwick upon Tweed to Jedburgh (55 mins) - prices available upon request.

    If you wish to upgrade your overnight accommodation on occasion, we will be happy to arrange this wherever availability allows – prices to be advised. Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.

    Borders Abbeys Way Client Reviews

    4.8/5 based on 20 reviews
    Reliable company that helped us even under difficult circumstances.
    - October 2024
    Celtic Trails do exactly what it says on the tin
    - July 2024
    Celtic Trails were efficient, personal, helpful and friendly. They were also every flexible when our plans changed.
    - June 2024
    The trip was seamless - the hosts and firms with which you partner with, were all top notch!
    - August 2023
    Celtic Trails are quick to respond to queries and helpful. Very comprehensive organisation and we met nice hosts throughout the holiday.
    - August 2023
    This is my 14th long distance trail and I always feel in safe hands with Celtic Trails.
    - August 2023
    Celtic Trails were well organised, lived up to my expectations, a good experience walking on my own knowing the support was there if I had needed it.
    - June 2023
    Nathan was very responsive over email, and worked with our group of eight to book a tour that fit our schedule. This was one of our family's favorite trips of all time. The Borders region is simply beautiful. The people we encountered in each town were so friendly and welcoming.
    - June 2023
    Celtic Trails are a friendly company, accessible, knowledgeable and friendly staff via phone, providing relevant and detailed information for the walk. Dales Way already booked with them for September.
    - June 2023
    Excellent communication, friendly and helpful staff (answered our many questions!) We liked all the B&B?s and appreciated the recommendations. The walk was so peaceful. I felt happy and invigorated by it. I have recommended it to several friends and also would do it again.
    - May 2023
    This walk had been arranged for 2020 and 2021, postponed both times. We're grateful for the way Celtic Trails dealt with this. It all went completely smoothly. Celtic Trails are very well organised. The walk was clearly well researched and based on ex
    - July 2022
    Celtic Trails was well organised; Nathan always helpful and responsive. We would recommend to hikers. Materials were excellent. We chose this particular path because my ancestors were from this area and walking those beautiful lands was deeply meaningfu
    - June 2022
    Celtic Trails were easy to work with. Good guide book and itinerary details provided. Mostly very good accommodation. Would recommend.
    - April 2022
    A much needed break at this current time. A circular walk with parking was VERY convenient. The scenery / walking was terrific. The history and added bonus.
    - June 2021
    I would rate my overall experience with Celtic Trails as excellent; the service of the staff, the website, the walk pack and the walk information were all excellent. The info about our accommodations was spot on, as was the taxi info. And by the way, all of the hosts at the B&Bs were wonderful, as were out taxi drivers. I would say that the thing that impressed me most, was how I felt you were keeping track of me. Early on, when I decided to take a day off … at each place we arrived, the hosts asked about my health. I had this feeling that you were making sure I was okay and that “unseen guardian” made me feel more secure. I would definitely recommend Celtic Trails to any who want to do a long distance walk in the future.
    - July 2019
    Going through Celtic Trails allowed us to visit an area we would have been unlikely to do on our own. The Borders are an area of great beauty, with a lot of history. Not only did we see four gorgeous abbeys, we also go to see the festivities of the common ridings.
    - July 2019
    The walk was a good mixture of riverside, farmland, pasture moorland and forestry. It was also the quietest I've done - it deserves more attention. Celtic Trails were very good all round.
    - June 2019
    All accommodation choices were very good. Our luggage and personal transfers were all carried out as arranged.
    - June 2018
    All went to plan - would recommend.
    - June 2018
    "I enjoyed fine views in peaceful countryside which is remote with small towns, all with their unique character at the end of each day. Celtic Trails is probably the best!"
    - July 2016
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