Borders Abbeys Way: Jedburgh to Hawick

Summary

Leaving impressive Jedburgh Abbey the route climbs gently towards Black Law before crossing farmland to the pretty village of Denholm from where it follows the River Teviot upstream to the mill town of Hawick which has all facilities.

Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Riverside and field paths (muddy in places), roads with pavements.

Getting there

Start

Jedburgh.

Public Transport

Bus to Jedburgh and Hawick.

Start Grid Ref

NT649205

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 20.75km / 13 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 443m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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WARNING

The path at the start of Stage 6 is closed due to riverbank erosion; there is a diversion to avoid this via the road.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

Starting from Jedburgh Abbey follow Abbey Place up to the main square and turn left to head up Castlegate. At the gates of the Castle Gaol - which is now a museum - turn left to follow Gala Hill. Before the last house branch left onto a footpath and cross the bridge to climb steps to follow a grassy lane (shared with horses and muddy at times). At the house continue ahead onto the road for a short distance before turning right at the bend onto a track. At a T junction turn left onto a grassy track which is followed through fields and a small forestry plantation and another field before a gate leads to a right turn and steps down to cross a bridge next to a newly planted area at Merlin Dean.

Stage 2

A stile leads back into the field, climb up next to the fence to reach another stile. Soon after the top end of the wood is reached, bear left through a gate. After a second gate turn right through another gate and cross the open land aiming slightly left, missing the summit of Black Law with the masts just to the right. There are good views ahead to the distinctive small peak of Rubers Law. The route heads downhill aiming to the right of a small wood. A bridge and stile lead to a path along the side of the wood and then cross new tree planting to the left to a bridge over the burn. Head through a couple of gates and along a track at the edge of a field.

Stage 3

At the far end turn right through the signed gate to take the farm track down to the road near Bedrule. The attractive church opposite can be visited by heading right, otherwise turn left at the road and then right at the war memorial to cross the stone bridge over the Rule Water. Follow the road round to the right and turn left (signed for Bonchester Bridge) and head uphill. When the road bends sharp left continue ahead onto a track.

Stage 4

Follow the track into the forestry and fork left and cross a stile into a field and bear right keeping close to the field edge until nearly at the wall where you turn left until a stile and gate on the right. Follow the faint path across the next field aiming for a gate above the houses at Spital Tower. Follow the track in front of the buildings and cross the stone bridge and follow the track gently uphill to the right of a stone wall. At the top turn left to run alongside a wood until a gate on the right leads to a track which heads down to the village of Denholm (pub and tearoom).

Stage 5

Keep straight ahead until the A698 is reached, turn left and then right to pass a tearoom, keeping the village green on the left. The large memorial in the centre is to John Leyden a poet and oriental scholar who was born here in 1775 and was able to speak at least a little of several dozen languages, his house is the thatched one ahead. Follow the road to the right and then turn left onto Minto Road.

Stage 6

After crossing the bridge over the River Teviot immediately turn left onto a path which soon follows the line of a flood bank to start with before running alongside the river. Steps eventually lead down to a minor road, turn left along it as it shadows the river. When the road heads inland, a signed path continues along the riverbank. When the river is in spate this path can flood and if in any doubt continue on the road which rejoins the route at Hornshole Bridge. On the riverside path, after passing a footbridge with a caravan park on the far side of the river, the path emerges onto the minor road at Hornshole Bridge, turn right for a short distance before turning left onto another section of riverbank path.

Stage 7

The path crosses the concrete bridge over the Boonraw Burn at the outskirts of Hawick. The route soon joins Mansfield Road and passes some industrial units on the right with the river remaining on the left. If you prefer an off road way into Hawick you can turn right at the roundabout and head up the steps in the tunnel ahead, then turn left to gain the old railway line which leads to Teviotdale Leisure Centre. If continuing on Mansfield Road, pass the sports pitches at Mansfield Park and a couple of mill buildings and rows of houses before turning right just before the zebra crossing to head up to the Teviotdale Leisure Centre. The route passes round the back and side of the building, turn left to head into the centre of Hawick.

Next stage: Hawick to Selkirk

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