Long distance
Borders Abbeys Way
A circular route linking the four great medieval abbeys of the Scottish Borders — Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh — through gentle Tweeddale farmland and riverside paths. 5 days, 105 km (65 mi), 1,500 m of cumulative ascent; a waymarked route best tackled in either direction — an accessible introduction to long-distance walking.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 105 km/ 65 mi
- Typical days
- 5
- Total ascent
- 1500 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Start → Finish
- Kelso → Kelso
- Best direction
- Either direction
- Water sources
- Melrose, Selkirk, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso, St Boswells — all the abbey towns have taps, cafes and shops. The route is rarely far from habitation; refills are frequent. The Tweed and its tributaries run alongside much of the route.
- Mobile signal
- EE/Vodafone reliable throughout. Borders towns have continuous coverage, and the open countryside between sees strong signal from the Cheviot transmitters. No serious gaps.
✔ Waymarked throughout
Approximate profile derived from per-stage ascent — accurate on total climb and pattern, not a pixel-precise GPX trace.
Our take
The Borders Abbeys Way is the gentlest of Scotland's Great Trails and one of the best for a first long-distance walk. The terrain never exceeds 400m, the waymarking is excellent, and every stage ends at a town with pubs and B&Bs. The abbeys themselves are magnificent — Melrose especially. Walk it in autumn when the Tweed valley turns gold.
Highlights
- Kelso Abbey and the Tweed
- Jedburgh Abbey
- Dryburgh Abbey
- Melrose Abbey and the Eildon Hills
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 5-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Kelso to Jedburgh21km · 350m ascent
From Kelso Abbey along the Teviot valley through gentle farmland to Jedburgh and its impressive ruined abbey.
- Terrain
- Riverside paths, farm tracks, quiet lanes. Easy walking.
- Overnight
- Jedburgh has hotels, B&Bs and good pubs.
- Stats
- Kelso → Jedburgh · 21km · ↑350m
2Jedburgh to Hawick22km · 350m ascent
Through the Rule Water valley and over gentle hills to Hawick, the textile capital of the Borders. Rolling farmland throughout.
- Terrain
- Hill paths, farm tracks, riverside walking.
- Overnight
- Hawick has hotels and B&Bs. The Crown Hotel is central.
- Stats
- Jedburgh → Hawick · 22km · ↑350m
3Hawick to Selkirk22km · 300m ascent
Along the Teviot and over the hills to Selkirk, perched above the Ettrick Water. The walking is gentle and the Borders countryside at its finest.
- Terrain
- Riverside paths, farm tracks, woodland trails.
- Overnight
- Selkirk has the County Hotel and B&Bs. Good shops for resupply.
- Stats
- Hawick → Selkirk · 22km · ↑300m
4Selkirk to Melrose18km · 250m ascent
Along the Tweed valley past Abbotsford House, Sir Walter Scott's mansion, to Melrose. Melrose Abbey is the finest of the four.
- Terrain
- Riverside paths, estate tracks, quiet lanes.
- Overnight
- Melrose has excellent B&Bs and hotels. The Eildon Hills above are worth climbing.
- Stats
- Selkirk → Melrose · 18km · ↑250m
5Melrose to Kelso22km · 250m ascent
Past Dryburgh Abbey in its serene riverside setting, then along the Tweed to complete the circuit at Kelso. Scott's View is a fine detour.
- Terrain
- Riverside paths, farm tracks, woodland trails. Flat and easy.
- Overnight
- Kelso has the Cross Keys Hotel and ample B&Bs. Circuit complete.
- Stats
- Melrose → Kelso · 22km · ↑250m
Transport
To start (Kelso)
Train · ScotRail (Borders Railway)
Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank, then bus / taxi to Melrose (~1.5 miles)
Half-hourly trains (~1 hour journey)
Borders Buses run frequent shuttle services Tweedbank to Melrose (~10 min).
Check times & book →
From finish (Kelso)
Train · ScotRail (Borders Railway)
Melrose to Tweedbank to Edinburgh Waverley
Half-hourly trains
Circular route — start = finish at Melrose.
Check times & book →
Best months
Accommodation
Good B&B and hotel options at Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and St Boswells. The circular format allows flexible staging. B&Bs and small hotels in Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick, Selkirk and Melrose; the circular format gives flexibility for car-based logistics. Booking.com covers most options.
Resupply
Full shops at Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose and Selkirk. No remote sections. Easiest logistics of any Great Trail. Full shops including Tesco in Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick, Selkirk and Melrose; never more than a day from resupply. The easiest logistics of any Great Trail.
Connect with
Chain into a longer expedition by combining with adjacent long-distance routes.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Kelso)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:26
- Sunset
- 21:55
- Civil dawn
- 03:25
- Civil dusk
- 22:55
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
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Getting to and from the Borders Abbeys Way
Train and town anchors at each end of the route — on TripSCOT.