St. Cuthbert’s Way (various tour options)
€1220
per person
St. Cuthbert’s Way is a famous historic self-guided walking trail crossing the borders between Scotland and the Northumberland countryside. It finishes at the shores of the Holy Island, where St Cuthbert served as Bishop. Nowadays, it remains one of the most popular Christian pilgrim sites in Europe. You will have the opportunity to explore many places associated with St Cuthbert and his life. You will walk a well-marked trail through dense forests, lush moorland, rolling farmland and across a causeway. You will have come in close contact with wonderful religious historic sites such as the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey and the cave where St Cuthbert’s where his remains are stored.
Level 3/4
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Destination
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Duration8 (6-9) Days I Level: 3/4 (of 5)
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What is includedHand picked B&B, guesthouse and small hotel accommodation incl. breakfast; Luggage transportation; People transfers to/from the trail when changes in overnight places require that; Detailed roadbook, maps and GPS tracks (1 set per reservation); Emergency phone support
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What is not includedTravel to the start or from the finish of the walk; Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks; Travel Insurance; Personal equipment; Transport when you need to skip a stage.
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Best periodApril, May, June, July, August, September
FROM OUR GALLERY
Self-guided walking tour along the St. Cuthbert's Way in Scotland, UK
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Day 1. Arrival at Melrose
Arrive in the charming little market town of Melrose, located on the Scottish borders. Take the time to do some sightseeing in the afternoon. Visit the Melrose Abbey, operated by Historic Scotland, or take a walk in the Priorwood Walled Garden. *Easiest arrival via Edinburgh Airport (50min train ride between Edinburgh and Galashiels, where you need to change for local bus to Melrose (20min ride).
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Day 2. Melrose - Harestanes / Jedburgh (25km, 6-6,30hrs, +530m/-530m)
The first hiking day of your self-guided itinerary starts with a steep climb to Eildon Hills where you will have some breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. You can also challenge yourself by climbing from the saddle to the summit. Your trail descends from the saddle to Newton St Boswells through Bowden Burn. Continue through St Boswells, along the River Tweed, and the picturesque rolling scenery of the Scottish Borders. Your walking trail joins the ancient Roman Road and gradually takes you to Harestanes.
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Day 3. Harestanes / Jedburgh - Morebattle (16km, 4-4,30hrs, +380m/-380m)
Today's section of the independent walking tour offers great views of the Cheviots as you follow a path to the Cessford Castle (passing through the Monteviot Suspension Bridge and the Monteviot House on the way, and also crossing some scenic woodlands and farmland). From there continue to Morebattle contemplating some lovely wildflowers along the way.
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Day 4. Morebattle - Kirk Yetholm (11km, 3-3,30hrs, +350m/-350m)
After a hearty breakfast, you cross a footbridge over the river Kale as you follow today’s section of the self-guided hiking route through fields and over stiles. Take the time to look back and enjoy the view of Morebattle and the neighboring Eildon Hills. Prepare for the steepest ascent of this tour as you hike to the top of Wideopen Hill (which marks the middle of the way between Melrose and the Holy Island). Reward yourself with the breathtaking views of Yetholm and its loch. Descend towards Kirk Yetholm through the beautiful valley of Bowmont Water. Transfer back to Morebattle.
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Day 5. Kirk Yetholm - Wooler (21km, 6-6,30hrs, +710/-760m)
Today’s independent walk coincides with the Pennine Way. It will take you across the border between Scotland and England east to Wooler. After
entering Northumberland National Park, you will descend to Hethpool via Elsdonburn. For the bigger part of the day, you will be walking atop the hills and contemplating amazing views. Take the time to explore Yeavering Bell, Northumberland’s largest hill fort and one of the strongholds of the ancient Votadini tribe.
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Day 6. Wooler - Fenwick (19km, 5,30-6hrs, +420/-440m)
The town of Wooler, founded in the 12th century, is the largest in the Cheviot Hills area and is still one of the most important livestock markets in northeastern England. Leave Wooler behind and continue towards the coast through farmland and forests and through the beautiful Weetwood Moor. Cross the wonderful arched Weetwood Bridge and pass the 18th-century Weetwood Hall. You pass St. Cuthbert's Cave, where monks took the saint's body during the Viking raids. From here, you can see Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle. This coastal region has been designated as
a Natural Area of Outstanding Beauty. The path then merges with St. Oswald's Way as you approach Fenwick via Shiellow Wood. Fenwick is where your next overnight will be.
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Day 7. Fenwick - Lindisfarne (10km, 2,30hrs, +60/-90m)
We have saved a wonderful independent hiking section of the route for your last day of walking. You follow the road to Holy Island through a mixture of beautiful landscapes while enjoying the company of the diverse birdlife along the way. Reaching the causeway at low tide, you can choose to take the Causeway Road or the historic Pilgrims Path across the sands to Lindisfarne. Holy Island is one of the most popular Christian heritage complexes in Europe and is abundant in historic buildings and sites. St. Cuthbert himself was a Bishop there and the building of Lindisfarne Priory was inspired by his figure. Don’t miss to explore the castle built by Henry VIII as the island was of particular strategic importance at the time.
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Day 8. Departure day
Your self-guided hiking tour ends after breakfast. We recommend an extra day at the end of your holiday to enjoy the opportunity for a boat trip around the Farne Islands - National Nature Reserve and home to an internationally important breeding colony of thousands of seabirds and grey seals. Alternatively, consider a rest day on Holy Island.
TOUR LOCATION
Price
1220 Euro per person in twin/dbl room
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 500 Euro
Solo Traveler supplement (incl. also sgl. room supplement): 750 Euro
Tips
The tour can start on any day of the week between April and the end of September. One piece of luggage per person is allowed (up to 20kg).
Getting to Melrose: By Air: Edinburgh and Newcastle airports are the closest options. Onward travel is by rail and /or coach. By Coach: Melrose and Jedburgh are both served by National Express as well as Berwick-upon-Tweed. By Rail: Tweedbank is the main line station used to connect by bus on to Melrose. Tweedbank station is just an 8 minute bus journey from Melrose. By Road: We generally recommend using public transport as parking is generally not available in Melrose.
Getting from Lindisfarne: By Air: Edinburgh and Newcastle airports are the closest options. Travel by rail and/or coach from Berwick-upon Tweed. By Coach: For most services you will need to get to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Please note that bus services are limited and a taxi may be required on certain days to reach Berwick-Upon-Tweed. By Rail: You will need to get to Berwick-upon-Tweed for connections to Edinburgh & Newcastle. By Taxi: There is a local taxi service which provides the most convenient way to transfer to Berwick-upon-Tweed and further a field.
Accommodation
This tour includes overnight accommodation in a mixture of country inns, small hotels, guesthouses and B&B’s. We carefully select your accommodation to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay and all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We book en-suite rooms as standard. If there are no en-suite rooms available in an overnight location, we may book a room with shared facilities, but we would always inform you in advance if this was the case. Breakfast is included each morning while lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively, your guidebook also includes details of local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants and your info pack will of course have recommendations.
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