St Cuthbert’s Way

St. Cuthbert’s Way ~ 62.5 miles (100 km) ~ 5 days walking

St Cuthbert’s Way starts in the lovely town of Melrose where St. Cuthbert started his religious life in 650AD with the tidal Holy Island, the destination and his resting place. Although a popular pilgrim route, this Way can be a spiritual experience for any person driven by the landscape and the history.

The walk begins at the gates of Melrose Abbey (where the heart of Robert the Bruce is interred), before crossing the Eildon Hills, passing by the Rivers Teviot and Tweed and climbing over the rolling Cheviots to cross the border of Scotland and England into the North of England.

The standards of accommodation and hospitality on this trek are excellent as you pass through some of the best-kept secret areas of Border Country where those with an interest in history and culture coupled with a love of the countryside, its flora and fauna, will enjoy a heart-warming and invigorating experience.

Climb over  the Eildon Hills to the village of Bowden before turning east to Newtown St Boswells on the River Tweed opposite Dryburgh Abbey.  Follow the bank of the Tweed to Maxton past the site of the Battle of Ancrum Moor to Monteviot House on the banks of the River Teviot.

From Monteviot Bridge the Way follows Dere Street before striking east and climbing above the village of Crailing to reach Cessford and on Morebattle, from where the trail leads south up the valley of Kale Water before descending to the villages of Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm, where it meets the Pennine Way to end on the tidal Holy Island of Lindisfarne .

The route in Scotland is part of the European walking route E2 and links the Southern Upland Way and the Pennine Way with the Northumberland Coast.

Interested in walking the St Cuthbert’s Way? Fill out our enquiry form today.

Key Symbols

ROUTE TERRAIN

Moderate

ROUTE SIGNPOSTING

Waymarked

NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS

Moderate

St. Cuthbert’s Way ~ 62.5 miles (100 km) ~ 5 days walking

Easyways Suggested Itinerary

Click each day to expand.

Arrive in Melrose

The picturesque town of Melrose is located surrounded by the triple peaks of the Eildon Hills and is the birthplace of Melrose Rugby Sevens. It is a quaint border town with a vibrant high street, offering a wide variety of distinctive shops, restaurants and bars. A casket believed to contain the heart of Robert the Bruce was marked by a re-burial ceremony and commemorative stone tablet in the grounds of the ruined Melrose Abbey, which dates from 1136. The area around Melrose has been inhabited for thousands of years. In AD 79 the Roman army built a major fort nearby named Trimontium, ‘Place of the Three Hills’. A signal station was built on the summit of the Eildon Hill North and the Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre now houses the Trimontium Museum which is dedicated to Roman life in Scotland. Around 3 miles west of on the banks of the Tweed is Sir Walter Scott’s romantic mansion of Abbotsford. Overnight in Melrose.

Melrose to Harestanes (15 miles / 24 km)

Start at the gates of the magnificent 12th century Melrose Abbey and walk up over the iconic Eildon Hills for one of the best views in the Scottish Borders: Melrose, the Moorfoot and Lammermuir Hills and the mighty Cheviots to the south! The route then descends to the village of Bowden, before gently winding through farmland and woods to Newtown St. Boswells. Following the banks of the River Tweed, with secluded views to Dryburgh Abbey into St. Boswells and continues alongside the Tweed past the Crystal Well into the village of Maxton. Maxton is rated by many walkers as one of their favourites on the whole route. Walking south from Maxton along Dere Street, you will be following in the footsteps of the Romans who built the original road, then passing Lady Lilliard’s Tomb. It is suggested that you make a quick detour to climb up to the Waterloo Monument, a local landmark admired by Sir Walter Scott, from his favourite viewpoint above Dryburgh. Overnight Harestanes.

Harestanes to Yetholm (17 miles / 27 km)

Depart Harestanes by crossing the Monteviot Suspension Bridge, just below Monteviot House, along the banks of the River Teviot to Jedfoot to rejoin Dere Street. Approaching Jedburgh the route branches off through woodland and then south-east on farm paths and tracks through rich agricultural land to Cessford and Cessford Castle, once the stronghold of the Kerrs a great place to explore some of the Border’s rich history. Take the opportunity to restock supplies for the journey at the village of Morebattle. Then start climbing via Grubbit Law, along the ridge to Wideopen Hill. At 400m, Wideopen Hill is the highest point on St. Cuthbert’s Way and the halfway point from Melrose to Holy Island. Remember to look back and take in the view of the Eildon Hills before walking on to Kirk Yetholm. Overnight Kirk Yetholm.

Kirk Yetholm to Wooler (13 miles / 21 km)

The next section of St. Cuthbert’s Way coincides with the final stretch of the Pennine Way. Climbing up from Halterburn around Green Humbleton (287m), one of many hill forts along St. Cuthbert’s Way, you will reach the border of Scotland and England, before crossing into dramatic Northumberland National Park. The Way then drops back down via Elsdonburn to Hethpool and onwards through woodland and a good track along the Cheviot foothills, heading for Yeavering Bell (361m), Northumberland’s largest Iron Age fort. A lovely path leads through the heather, over Gains Law, down to the small market town of Wooler and back to civilisation. Overnight Wooler.

Wooler to Fenwick (10 miles / 16 km)

From Wooler, the St Cuthbert’s Way transcends over Weetwood Moor before dropping back down to cross the River Till, via the 16thCentury Weetwood Bridge. Secluded, quiet lanes lead to Horton before encountering a section of typically dead-straight Roman road: the Devil’s Causeway, which once linked Corbridge and Tweedmouth. Farmland and woodland tracks lead up to St. Cuthbert’s Cave, where monks took St. Cuthbert’s body in 875AD, as they fled from Viking raids on Lindisfarne. Above the cave on the rocky ridge of the Kyloe Hills, the first views of Holy Island become visible, with Bamburgh Castle to the south. This part of the Northumberland coast has been designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. St. Cuthbert’s Way joins here with St. Oswald’s Way, another long distance route, following an enjoyable track through Shiellow Wood towards the village of Fenwick. Overnight Fenwick.

Fenwick to Holy Island (7.5 miles / 12 km)

The final section of the St. Cuthbert’s Way heads to the coast along historic paths and tracks, passing Fenwick Granary before crossing the main East Coast railway line between Edinburgh and London, Beal Cast Burn and the remnants of World War 2 coastal defences. Ensure you check tide times before setting off and aim to reach the Causeway at low tide in order to cross to Lindisfarne, by taking the Causeway Road across to Holy Island or by following the posts of the historic Pilgrims Path across the sands. Overnight Holy Isle.

Depart Holy Island

Congratulations – you have completed the St Cuthbert’s Way! Taxi transfer is available to Melrose for return car pick up (if required) or to Berwick-on-Tweed for train journey north to Edinburgh or south for Newcastle or all stops to London.

Prices from – £625 per person

Single supplement – On request

What’s included?

  • 6 nights’ accommodation for 2 people sharing in quality B&Bs, guest houses, inns and hotels. Rooms with shower/wc (where available)
  • Breakfast
  • Door to door baggage transfer – maximum 18 kg per bag
  • Rucksack Readers Guide Book
  • Location details for each accommodation
  • Travel information to the start and from the finish of the walk
  • Suggested equipment list
  • Emergency support

What’s not included?

  • Evening meals, packed lunches and drinks
  • Travel insurance

STAGES AND DISTANCES (OPTIONAL EXTRA STAGES SHOWN IN BRACKETS)

Melrose

8 miles – 13 km

(St. Boswells)

7 miles – 11 km

Harestanes

10 miles – 16 km

(Morebattle)

7 miles – 11 km

Kirk Yetholm

13 miles – 21 km

Wooler

10 miles – 16 km

Fenwick

7.5 miles – 12 km

Holy Island

MAP

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