Walking in the Scottish Borders

Boasting over 1,500 miles of walking routes where you can step back in time, discover landscapes that have inspired literary masterpieces, or choose between challenging long distance routes and short country rambles, walking in the Scottish Borders is second to none. Explore the area on foot and you’ll find a land of contrasts and one of Europe‘s most beautiful unspoilt regions. With rolling hills, extensive mature forests, superb river valleys and interesting towns and villages covered with tracks and paths you can choose to walk for an hour, a day or a week. Combine spectacular views with an abundance of natural wildlife and you have a seductive mix to tempt you outdoors.

Here is a selection of our favourite walks in the Scottish Borders: The Cover Harbour Circuit, follows the path down to Cove harbour where you can explore the fascinating natural harbour, beach and hand-hewn tunnel which is said to have been used by smugglers and fishermen. The route returns through the tunnel before following a coastal path along the impressive cliff tops. The Eildon Hills walk begins from the romantic ruins of Melrose Abbey and takes in the three summits of the Eildon Hills. Used by the Romans as a signalling point, the summits of this mountain trio offer unparalleled views across the region and as far as the Lake District. Accessible by excellent tracks, they are some of the most famous landmarks in the Borders.

So if you’re planning a walking holiday in the Scottish Borders why not stay in a pub? Pubs are a great alternative to hotels and traditional B&B’s giving visitors a special experience incomparable to your average hotel. Pubs don’t just offer a warm comfortable bed after a long day walking but also offers delicious food and drink combined with the chance to socialise with locals and other walkers.

With all the modern features such as flat screen TVs, Freeview, WiFi, comfortable bedding and tea and coffee making facilities you’ll be able to sit back and relax in your room after a long day out. In the evening choose from a range of home cooked dishes, from pub classics to meals with a twist. Meals are prepared by excellent chefs who use only the freshest locally sourced ingredients to give you a real taste of the Scottish Borders.

In the evenings there’s plenty to keep you busy, with pubs offering a warm fire in the winter or a beer garden in the summer you can relax after dinner with a pint of real ale. Staying in a pub in the Scottish Borders offers walkers the chance to find their own piece of paradise with many areas untouched and unspoilt.

To access a range of wonderful walks around the UK visit AllTrails. For more information on what there is to explore in the area, check out our Things to Do guide.

Photo by Stephen Talas on Unsplash