St Cuthbert’s Way – 7 nights / 6 days walking

About this trail

St Cuthbert’s Way starts with a hike to the top of the Eildon Hills, affording great views of the Tweed Valley and surrounding countryside. Descending to flatter terrain, your journey takes you to St Boswells and the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, where you meet the River Tweed for a short section before following Dere Street Roman road to Harestanes, your pick up point for transfer to Jedburgh. Next comes a stretch through farmland to Morebattle, passing the 15th century Cessford Castle on the way, and then up to Wideopen Hill in the Cheviot Hills which afford fabulous views before descending to the village of Kirk Yetholm.

Kirk Yetholm to Wooler is the hilliest and most remote day of walking, as you traverse moorland on the northern flanks of the Cheviots, crossing from Scotland to England as you do so. After leaving the small market town of Wooler, the landscape returns to undulating farmland as you approach Fenwick. You’ll pass St Cuthbert’s Cave, a sizeable sandstone cave where the monk’s body was hidden from Viking raiders. The sea is close now and there are great views along the coast, including of the magnificent Bamburgh Castle.  The final stretch is extra special as you cross the tidal causeway to Holy Island. This requires consulting local tide tables, something that can be done here. As you cross the sands and the castle and priory come into sight, it’s a great way to end your journey.

Terrain and navigation

This is a varied walk across farmland, rolling hills and moorland. There are no really steep sections and it can be considered a relatively gentle long distance walk, suitable for any reasonably fit person. Underfoot you can expect rural paths and tracks, and some sections of metalled country lanes. In the Cheviot Hills the route may occasionally get a bit boggy and wet. Signposting is good, though as always we recommend being able to map read and navigate as a precaution.  The time restrictions caused by tidal access to Holy Island mean it’s important to consider your time of arrival. Tide tables are here.

Route elevation

Highest point: 355 metres
Total ascent / descent: 2171 metres / 2255 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 hot tub 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.

Holy Island

Holy Island remains a place of pilgrimage today. There is plenty to see, notably Lindisfarne Priory, the epicentre of Christianity in Anglo Saxon times; and Lindisfarne Castle, a fort that was built in Tudor times and was transformed into a holiday home by Arts and Crafts architect Edwin Lutyens. This peaceful setting was also the birthplace of the Lindisfarne Gospels, the most spectacular manuscript to survive from Anglo Saxon England. The original copy is held at the British Library but you can still read the story of the Gospels and view a beautiful facsimile reproduction at the Lindisfarne Centre. For lovers of wildlife, the island is a haven for seabirds and seals.

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 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 Newcastle or Edinburgh.

By Rail: At the start of your walk the most convenient train station is Tweedbank which is the final stop on a branch line from are Edinburgh. Berwick upon Tweed is a bus or taxi ride from Holy Island at the end of your walk.  For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.

By Bus: There are buses on some days from Holy Island at the end of your walk, depending on the time of year you are walking. For details see Google Maps and click on directions.

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.