Borders Abbeys Way

The Borders Abbeys Way is a long-distance footpath in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It is a circular walkway and is 109 kilometres (68 mi) in length.[1] The theme of the footpath is the ruined Borders abbeys (established by David I of Scotland) along its way: Kelso Abbey, Jedburgh Abbey, Melrose Abbey and Dryburgh Abbey. These abbeys were homes to monks, who lived there between the 12th and 16th centuries. The route also passes through the towns of Hawick and Selkirk, and close to Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott.[2][3] Along the Borders Abbeys Way there are several rivers: Jed Water, River Teviot, River Tweed, Ale Water, and Rule Water.

Borders Abbeys Way
Jedburgh Abbey
Length109 km (68 mi)[1]
LocationBorders, Scotland
Established2006
DesignationScotland's Great Trails
TrailheadsCircular
UseHiking
Elevation
Elevation gain/loss1,300 metres (4,300 ft) gain[1]
Highest point339 metres (1,113 ft)
Hiking details
SeasonAll year
SightsHistoric ruined abbeys, rivers, wildlife, countryside
Websitehttp://www.bordersabbeysway.com/
Dryburgh Abbey

The route was opened in 2006, and is managed and maintained by Scottish Borders Council.[2] It is now designated as one of Scotland's Great Trails by NatureScot.[1] The route links with four of the other Great Trails: the Cross Borders Drove Road, the Romans and Reivers Route, St Cuthbert's Way and the·Southern Upland Way.[3] About 15,000 people use the path every year, of whom over 2,000 complete the entire route.[4]

Two walkers, Jack Low and Garry Cossar, became the first to complete the full trail in under 24 hours in June 2017. The feat was reported in the Southern Reporter, Border Telegraph and Hawick News.

Sections of the Walk

Most people choose to do the walk in one day for each segment.[5]

Start Finish Distance Start elevation Finish elevation Highest point
km mi m ft m ft m ft
Kelso (55.5970°N 2.4327°W / 55.5970; -2.4327 (Borders Abbeys Way: Kelso Abbey))Jedburgh19 1241 13485 280120 390
Jedburgh (55.4766°N 2.5541°W / 55.4766; -2.5541 (Borders Abbeys Way: Jedburgh Abbey))Hawick20 1285 280105 344300 985
Hawick (55.4285°N 2.7833°W / 55.4285; -2.7833 (Borders Abbeys Way: Teviotdale Leisure Centre, Hawick))Selkirk20 12102 334172 564339 1,113
Selkirk(55.5471°N 2.8415°W / 55.5471; -2.8415 (Borders Abbeys Way: Market Square, Selkirk))Melrose16 9.9172 56498 320270 880
Melrose(55.5990°N 2.7191°W / 55.5990; -2.7191 (Borders Abbeys Way: Melrose Abbey))Kelso28 1798 32041 134148 485
Complete walk103 64339 1,113

See also

References
  1. "Trails Archive". NatureScot & Rucksack Readers. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  2. "Borders Abbeys Way" (PDF). Scottish Borders Council. 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  3. "Borders Abbeys Way". NatureScot & Rucksack Readers. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  4. "Scotland's networks of paths and trails: key research findings" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. August 2018. p. 6. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  5. "Abbeys Walk". The Borders Abbeys Way. Scotland's Great Trails.

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