Walk 2734 - printer friendly version

The Eildon Hills Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.3 miles / 8.6 km

Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference NT558340
Lat 55.5976040 + Long -2.7029740
Postcode TD6 9RQ (approx. location only)

The Eildon Hills rise sharply from the landscape to the south of Melrose. The area is crossed by many paths, which for some can be confusing. However, in periods of clear visibility the next objective is always in view so that navigation is much easier than might be the case with low cloud on the summits. As might be expected the views are superb and worth the effort of the ascent involved in this route.

The start is the Market Square in Melrose (grid ref. NT558340) where there is usually ample parking. After parking walk, north on Abbey Street towards Melrose Abbey. Turn right and follow Priorswalk alongside the Abbey into a park. Cross footbridge and go left where the path forks onto the Borders Abbey Way. Stay on the pavement along Priorswalk. When this road bends to the right, take the footpath on the left (grid ref. NT552341). Follow this path for 800 metres to reach Dean Road (grid ref. NT560341).

Go left and then right onto the Borders Abbey Way through trees. Continue under a railway bridge and through an underpass below the A6091. Once under the A6091, turn right onto a track heading south and continue to reach a road (grid ref. NT563336). Turn right along the lane and after 80 metres take the path on the left. Reaching a strip of woodland on your left (grid ref. NT562333) to reach a gate. Keep left where the path forks and start the steep ascent onto Eildon North Hill. Reaching the summit take a breather and enjoy the wonderful views. It is also worth checking the location of Eildon Wester Hill and Eildon Mid Hill as these are the next two summits to be climbed.

Descend southwest keeping right when the path divides. At the next path junction, bear right and continue downhill to the broad col before Eildon Mid Hill and a cross path (grid ref. NT550234). Turn left on clear path (St Cuthbert's Way) and descend towards Broad Wood. Do not enter the woods, instead bear right along the edge of the woods on a clear path. Keep left at first junction (grid ref. NT549320) and continue to the summit of Eildon Wester Hill where a different panorama awaits with views to the Cheviots in the south.

Retrace your steps to the path junction at grid ref. NT549320 and turn left. Keep right at the next two path junctions to reach the steep path climbing onto Eildon Mid Hill. Continue uphill to the highest point in the Eildon Hills from where the Lake District Fells are visible on a clear day. From the trig point the path zigzags down to the col between Mid and North Hills. Go straight ahead at a 'crossroads' of paths to reach the St Cuthbert's Way (grid ref. NT550325).

Turn left and follow this clear path (St Cuthbert's Way) across the eastern flank of North Hill descending gradually. Join a track and continue through two large fields. Cross a stile, walk down some steps, go over a footbridge and take the steps up to Dingleton Road (grid ref. NT547338). Turn right and continue back to the start.

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