Explore the fascinating natural harbour, beach and tunnel at Cove Harbour and then head along the clifftops before returning on a minor road.
Coastal path (can be muddy) with unfenced cliffs, minor road.
None to start, nearest bus Cockburnspath 1.5km from start - follow Southern Upland Way.
Cove car park.
Start the walk from Cove, just off the A1 near Cockburnspath, there is a car park on the clifftop. From here follow the wide path opposite which descends to Cove Harbour. Here you can explore the pier and the age-old-looking cottages built from the local sandstone before backtracking up the path to take the tunnel on the right which leads through to the other side of the bay. This hand-hewn tunnel which is said to have been used by smugglers as well as fishermen since the 1700's, side chambers in the surprisingly roomy tunnel were once used for storing fish, nowadays the harbour is used by a couple of creel fishing boats catching crabs, lobsters and prawns.
Return through the tunnel and back up the path to the top of the cliff and turn left. This soon joins the Berwickshire Coastal Path and the Southern Upland Way, both coming in from Cockburnspath. Continue straight ahead here staying on the clifftop path which can be muddy in winter and as it is unfenced care needs to be taken. As it rounds the bay there is a great view of Cove Harbour below.
Further on a natural arch and sea stack provide more interest. The path is also following the route of part of the James Hutton Walk here. James Hutton was an 18th century physician and geologist renowned for coming up with the modern day theories of geology and deep time. This part of the coast was instrumental in forming some of his ideas as he saw bands of different ages of rock sandwiched between each other and exposed at the base of the cliffs which made him realise the earth was much much older than people had previously thought.
Eventually the caravans and sandy beaches of Pease Bay come into view, popular with surfers and families. The first waymarkers for the Berwickshire Coastal Path are also passed - a distinctive blue circle with a white wave. Steps lead down to a bridge before the route climbs up to a minor road. Turn right here to follow the minor road through the quiet countryside.
Continue until a row of cottages is reached on the left. Just beyond turn right onto a signed path beside a single cottage to follow a short section of the Southern Upland Way back to the coast. Keep straight ahead at a track to soon reach the clifftop passed earlier. Turn left here to return to the car park at Cove.
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