Experience the rich history and stunning landscapes of the Scottish Borders on the Borders Abbeys Way, a 109km (68-mile) circular long-distance walking route linking the great abbey towns of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh. Officially designated as one of Scotland’s Great Trails, this relatively easy, low-level route follows rivers, rolling countryside and forest tracks, and can be completed comfortably by reasonably fit walkers in under a week.

This guidebook makes planning and walking the Borders Abbeys Way straightforward and rewarding, whether you’re new to long-distance walking or looking for a relaxed, culture-rich trail. With clear stage breakdowns, expert navigation guidance and practical advice throughout, it helps you explore one of Scotland’s easier long-distance trails, located just under an hour by train from Edinburgh.

• Detailed route descriptions for all 6 stages are provided alongside OS 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files to keep you on track
• A handy route summary table breaks each stage down with ascent information, daily distances (8 - 25km) and timings so that you can adapt the route to suit your experience and fitness
• Accommodation information is provided, mainly hotels and B&Bs with some campsites, including in key centres like Hawick, Selkirk, Newton St Boswells, Denholm, and Jedburgh 
• Insight into the history of the Scottish Borders is included, bringing 12th-century medieval abbeys, border conflicts and landscapes to life as you walk
• Written by Paul Boobyer, an experienced long-distance walker and former Scottish Borders Council Countryside Access Officer, providing local knowledge, route familiarity and on-the-ground expertise to every stage

The Borders Abbeys Way is a week-long walking holiday through the turbulent and fascinating history of the Scottish Borders. With this guidebook, you’ll gain key navigational tools and a deeper understanding of the abbeys, towns and landscapes you pass through, turning this Great Trail into a rich cultural experience as well as a scenic one.

The Borders Abbeys Way – Quick Facts

Trail name: The Borders Abbeys Way 
Location: Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK 
Total distance: ~109 km / ~68 miles (circular)  
Typical duration: ~6 days end‑to‑end  
Start / Finish: Tweedbank (near Melrose) — circular route  
Route type: Long‑distance waymarked circular walking route (Scotland’s Great Trail)  
Difficulty: Moderate (generally easy low‑level walking with some inclines; moderate fitness advised)  
Terrain: Riverside paths, forest tracks, country lanes and rolling countryside  
Navigation: OS 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files included in guidebook  
Highlights: Historic ruined abbeys at Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso & Jedburgh along attractive Borders towns

Author Highlight

"The abbeys and other historical sites encountered along the route tell the tale of a series of conflicts between the kingdoms of England and Scotland that took place between the mid 12th and early 17th centuries; a time when the Borders region was a dangerous and lawless frontier. A walk on the Borders Abbeys Way will connect you with this fascinating period of history; indeed, some of the paths on the Way are the very same routes that monks and abbey staff used to travel between the Borders abbeys, and no doubt were also used by the notorious reivers."

- Paul Boobyer, author of The Borders Abbey Way 

Overview profile

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

The Borders Abbeys Way

History of the Borders abbeys

The Borders reivers

Agriculture and country estates in the Borders

Geology and nature

Getting to and from the Borders Abbeys Way

Where to stay

Maps and public access

When to go and what to take

Using this guide

The Borders Abbeys Way

Stage 1 Tweedbank to Newtown St Boswells via Melrose

Stage 2 Newtown St Boswells to Kelso

Stage 3 Kelso to Jedburgh

Stage 4 Jedburgh to Hawick

Stage 5 Hawick to Selkirk

Stage 6 Selkirk to Tweedbank

Appendix A Facilities available on each Stage of the Borders Abbeys Way

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Public transport information

Appendix D Useful contacts

Appendix E Further reading

Seasons

This multi-day walk can be done at any time of year, although between early spring and the end of autumn you will have more hours of daylight.

Centres

Melrose, Newtown St Boswells, Kelso, Jedburgh, Denholm, Hawick and Selkirk.

Difficulty

Low level and easy walking on the first three stages. The following three stages involve some inclines, but none that are demanding for people with a moderate level of fitness. Most of the route is off-road, but there are some stretches along quiet, minor roads.

Must See

A circuit incorporating four of Scotland's most impressive ruined medieval abbeys. Follow in the monks' footsteps on riverside paths, forest tracks and open hills where great views abound. This route traverses part of the Tweed Valley before heading up to rolling hills. The variety of terrain will delight any walker.

May 2023

Abbotsford

May 2021

Stage 4 diversion

January 2020

Appendix B - St Boswells

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