St Cuthbert's Way: Harestanes to Kirk Yetholm

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This section of St Cuthbert's Way has an initial stretch beside the River Teviot before crossing rolling farmland and fields to the castle at Cessford. Roadwalking leads on to the village of Morebattle before the climb to Wideopen Hill - a fine ridgewalk with superb views. The stage ends at the attractive village of Kirk Yetholm. Although the route sounds complex it is very well waymarked.

Terrain

Waymarked paths and tracks, can be muddy in fields. Some sections on minor roads; traverse of Wideopen Hill involves a steep climb and is more exposed in poor weather.

Public Transport

Bus at junction of B6400 with A68, 15mins from Harestanes. Bus to Kirk Yetholm.

Start

Harestanes Centre car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

To rejoin St Cuthbert's Way from the Harestanes Centre, head through the far end of the car park to reach a T junction with a tarred lane; turn left along this towards Monteviot House. Turn left at a cross tracks and then right at the next signed junction in the woods. The path then emerges on the northern driveway for Monteviot House; turn left on this very briefly and then right onto a woodland path once more. Eventually the path bears right and emerges from the trees to run downhill between two fields. Go through a gate into the woods at the bottom and then turn right onto a path at a T junction. Soon a path off to the left leads to a viewpoint over the river, but our route continues ahead, with glimpses of a folly amongst the trees on the left.

Stage 2

Cross the wooden walkway leading out onto the magnificent Monteviot suspension footbridge. The bridge was built in 1999 to replace an earlier one that was swept away in a flood - thankfully the walkway is now suspended much higher above the water. On the far side turn left along the riverbank. The path follows the Teviot downstream, crossing a stile at one point; near the confluence with the Jed it bears right through the trees and then runs upstream beside the Jed. Finally it ascends a long flight of wooden steps to reach the busy A698 road. Turn left along this, crossing high over the Jed, and then cross the road carefully to head up the minor road off the opposite side. Almost immediately turn left up a rough lane; this section of the walk is shared with the Borders Abbeys Way. Keep straight on when the latter route heads off to the right.

Stage 3

The track climbs uphill, giving views back towards the Eildon Hills. Turn left at a stile to head into a woodland. A path winds amongst the trees, though the woodland only forms a narrow strip; eventually a minor road is reached. Turn right along this for a short distance before a sign indicates where to leave it for a grass track off to the left. There are good views from here of the Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh to the north. The grass track winds right and left before reaching a footbridge over the Oxnam Water. Cross this and then head diagonally left across the pasture, aiming for a small gate. Go through this and continue in the same direction uphill, aiming for the pylon. At a waymarker post beneath the pylon bear left and continue uphill, around the edge of the field. As a cottage is approached bear right to eventually meet a track at a gate by a small barn.

Stage 4

At the barn take the track which bends left uphill, soon becoming tarmac. Near the top cross a stile on the left to begin along a path through the woods. This emerges on another minor road; turn right here and left at the next road T junction. Almost immediately turn right at the cottages and head down the edge of the field to the right of the converted barn. Cross a footbridge at the bottom and keep left around the field edge. This eventually curves round to the right, and soon the path heads off into a dell and then begins climbing through the trees on the far side. The woods are left at a gate and the walk continues along a field edge before a footbridge leads into a second block of woodland. Beyond this, continue along another field edge, keeping left at the far corner. A stone stile then leads over the wall on the right; keep alongside the field edges, turning right at the next corner. Eventually the route reaches a track; turn left here along this. The track leads downhill, follow it when it turns to the right by an old cattle grid. It now leads down into the hamlet of Cessford, with Cessford Castle looking impressive beyond.

Stage 5

The track meets a minor road in Cessford at a bend beside a phone box. Go straight ahead on the road, and then turn left as the road bends right at a house. The road winds uphill and passes close to the castle; the exterior can be visited through a gate into the field as the road bends left. The current structure dates back to the 1450s and defended the Ker family; the Border country was a dangerous place and the castle was built to withstand a seige - which it did on more than one occasion. Continue along the road round several sharp bends before meeting the B6401 after around 2km. Turn right along the verge - taking care as this road can be busy. It leads into the attractive village of Morebattle, which has an inn and makes a possible alternative break of stage. If continuing the walk, head straight on through the village and then turn right onto a minor road at the far end, signed for Hownam. The road gives good views back over Morebattle as it climbs and eventually reaches a T junction; turn right here.

Stage 6

Continue along the road for around 500m until a sign indicates a footbridge on the left. Cross the bridge and head into the field beyond to join a muddy track; follow this to the right. Stay on the track as it swings sharp left to begin climbing; as it swings right go straight across another track. As the track nears a plantation turn right over a stile and head up the edge of the field beside the trees. Go through the gate at the top end and then continue on the narrow path directly up the open hillside. When a grassy ridge is gained turn left along it, eventually reaching and running parallel to a drystone wall. Cross a stile and continue along the ridge wall to reach the summit of Wideopen Hill, marked by a small information plaque. At 368m this is the highest point on St Cuthbert's Way - and is also roughly the halfway mark - a real landmark on the journey. Follow the wall to the right here; it soon drops down to a stile. Cross this and bear half left across a corner to join another drystone wall.

Stage 7

This continues along the ridge of Crookedshaws Hill, gradually losing height and with great views of the valley of the Bowmont Water winding ahead. Eventually the path heads through a gate in the wall and continues downhill until it reaches a tall wooden stile in a wall on the right. Cross this to reach a second stile, turning left to head over this and following a wall down to a copse. Continue past the trees to reach another stile giving access to a grass lane. Turn right down the lane to reach a minor road and then head sharp left along this. Keep straight on at the crossroads in Primside Hill to reach the busier B6401 just beyond, and bear right along this.

Stage 8

The road leads into Town Yetholm which offers a shop as well as accommodation, but St Cuthbert's Way turns off to the right on a tarmac lane before it is reached. Almost immediately head left onto a rough track; this eventually peters out; continue by the river. Aim just left of the electricity substation to reach a stile and the road. Head right to cross the bridge over the Bowmont Water and then descend steps on the left to join a path across the field. It leads through a gate and then joins a lane, passing the Youth Hostel before reaching the green at the heart of the village. Kirk Yetholm sees more than its far share of long distance walkers - as well as being a staging post for fellow travellers on St Cuthbert's Way, it is the end point of the Pennine Way.

Next stage: Kirk Yetholm to Wooler

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St Cuthbert's Way: Harestanes to Kirk Yetholm

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