Borders Abbeys Way – 6 nights / 5 days walking

About this trail

The Borders Abbey Way is a circular route that takes in the four fine abbeys of Melrose, Jedburgh, Dryburgh and Kelso. Three of these abbeys you will be able to linger over as they are at the same location as your overnight stay.

Your route follows mostly undulating, lowland terrain, crossing pastoral countryside and taking you through some stretches of woodland. Just a few sections climb a little higher and are correspondingly rewarded with far reaching views.

There are long stretches following the River Tweed and the River Teviot. There is limited opportunity for stocking up with food and drink along the route so make sure that you are set up with full provisions for the day.

Terrain and navigation

This is a gentle route which is fully waymarked although it is important to keep your map and guide book with you. You’ll be walking on a combination of tracks, some minor country roads, riverside paths, old railway line routes and through farm fields and woodland. The highest point is on the Eildon Hills.

Route elevation

Highest point: 326 metres
Total ascent / descent: 1862 metres / 1862 metres

Included as standard in the price

The price quoted is per person and is based on two people sharing a room. It includes:

• Carefully selected, en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation*
• Daily luggage transfers to your accommodation**
• All the necessary maps and guidebooks for your walk
• Route notes and maps detailing how to find your B&B at the end of each day
• The cost of any transfers that are required from the route to your accommodation if we are unable to book you into a B&B within easy walking distance of the trail
• Information about any special facilities offered by your hosts (eg laundry service or licensed bar)
• Suggestions and contact details for places for an evening meal each day
• Telephone support if required
• Advice from our team on travel to and from the start and end of the trail.

*En-suite is always chosen unless all options are booked out, in which case private bathrooms are sought. Customers are always consulted about non-en-suite options before details are finalised.

**Standard package includes one piece of baggage per walker, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. Additional bags can be transferred but incur an additional cost. Please enquire if you need this service.

Packed lunches and evening meals

The cost of these is not included in our standard package. All the accommodation providers we use offer packed lunches to keep you well fed during your walk. Payment is made directly to your hosts. Similarly, if you have an evening meal either at your accommodation or another local establishment, you pay them directly for it.

Optional extras that can be provided by Discovery Travel

Discovery Travel specialises in providing completely tailor-made services to our clients. This means that if our standard published itineraries do not suit our customers’ needs, we are always happy to discuss ways in which we can adjust accommodation, shorten or lengthen itineraries and distances to make for the perfect trip.

We also offer the following services to make for a seamless holiday:

• Transport to and from the start and finish of a trail
• Airport transfers
• Minibus and driver service, in particular for large groups where multiple accommodations are required each night and transfers are frequently required at the end of the day’s walk

If you are interested in any of the above or have any particular requirements, please do contact us to discuss your needs.

Make more of your break

If you would like to pause during your walk and explore one of the overnight locations for longer, you are free to select and add extra days to your holiday at any of your overnight stops. Prices for extra days are quoted above and will be added to the total cost of the holiday. If the itineraries on our website do not quite meet your requirements please do get in touch to arrange a bespoke trip.

Below are some suggestions for good places to spend an extra day or so.

Jedburgh

Once you have drunk in the splendour of Jedburgh Abbey there are a variety of interesting sites to take in, from the house that was home to Mary Queen of Scots to the expansive town jail.  Take a short walk through Lothian Park to Inchbonny where you will find the sculpture of Hutton’s Unconformity – a 40-foot-long, 9-foot-high dry-stone sculpture created by Scottish sculptor Max Nowell in memory of the famous geologist.

Kelso

Kelso is an attractive market town with a cobbled square adjacent to the ruins of the abbey in the centre.

Melrose

Stay a little longer at Melrose and enjoy a longer stroll around its abbey. For gardeners there are two charming  National Trust for Scotland gardens in the area: Priorwood has an apple orchard which cultivates many historic varieties, while Harmony Gardens is a beautiful walled garden with magnificent views over the abbey and the Eildon Hills.

When to go

The weather in the UK can vary hugely so be prepared for all weathers whatever time of the year. April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking. September is one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather can be much more changeable.

Getting to and from the trail

By Air: The most convenient airports are Edinburgh and Newcastle.

By Rail: The most convenient train station is Tweedbank which is the final stop on a branch line from Edinburgh and is close to Melrose. For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.

By Bus: Jedburgh is served by buses. You can find details on getting to Jedburgh using Google Maps. Click on “directions” in the left hand tab and enter your starting point.

Got a question about travel? If you need any advice about travel to and from your walk please get in touch with Discovery Travel and we will be happy to help.