Cross Borders Drove Road 3: Peebles to Yarrowford

Summary

Perhaps the finest stage of the Cross Borders Drove Road, this route climbs out of Peebles along a wonderfully preserved section heading up a ridge to Birkscairn Hill. It then crosses the hills before descending to Traquair, only to climb again to Minch Moor with another wonderful stretch of old route for the descent to Yarrowford. The stage involves a lot of ascent and descent and can be split at Traquair (from where a detour can be made to Innerleithen).

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Grassy tracks and paths, mostly marked, with a fair amount of ascent and descent. Short stretch on tarmac road.

Getting there

Start

Peebles.

Public Transport

Peebles has good bus services, but there is no public transport to Yarrowford.

Start Grid Ref

NT250403

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 25km / 15.5 miles
Time: 7 - 8 hours
Ascent: 900m (Profile)

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Explorer 337 - Peebles

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

From the west end of Peebles High Street, follow the main B7062 road which crosses the bridge over the breautiful River Tweed. On the far side the road curves round to the left; ignore the first right turn but take the second immediately afterwards, heading up Springhill Road. Continue along this right through the southern part of the town. Eventually the road ends at a parking area - take the track straight ahead into the trees, signed for Yarrow Valley, Gypsy Glen and Drove Road. Keep right at a fork (ignoring the left branch to Kittlegairy); the track soon descends to a footbridge over a burn, and then climbs steeply on the far side.

Stage 2

The path now continues between a fence and trees. After heading through a gate, it soon becomes more obviously an old Drove Road - enclosed between two well-spaced drystone walls, leaving plenty of room for the cattle to be driven. There are superb views looking back over Peebles as height is gained, a fabulous reward for the effort of the ascent.

Stage 3

After passing through a gate, the drove road leaves the wall and ridge line (which has an alternative path) to pass around the left, eastern flank of Craig Head, making a wonderful balcony walk with views across the Tweed valley. It continues climbing very gradually, eventually regaining the ridge and heading through a gate.

Stage 4

The next section is another fine broad stretch of Drove Road through the heather, running right along the ridge and with great views of the whole Dun Rig horseshoe of hills. When the route seems to fork, keep to the left branch (the right one just leads to a small cairn). Eventually the cairn marking the summit of Kirkhope Law is reached - the highest point on the Cross Borders Drove Road. Continue down to the col above Yellow Mire, and after a short distance up the far side, leave the ridge by turning left through a pedestrian gate. A path keeps to the right of a fence at first; after this, keep ahead as it contours the heeather, ignoring a lesser path downhill on the left. The path heads around the hillside to another col, keeping to the right of a forestry plantation.

Stage 5

At the far corner of this take the downhill path ahead, passing through a gate and descending towards The Glen. The path becomes faint as it heads down the grassy slopes, eventually reaching a stone wall and another forestry plantation. Turn left along the wall, then right at the far end through a gate to continue the descent by a line of telegraph poles. When a track is reached turn right to head into the woods, keeping ahead until the far side is reached and then turning left along a farm track. Follow this for 400m to a minor road, then turn left along this. After 2km a t-junction is reached - turn left again, now on a busier road - take care. Keep right at a fork and continue to reach the village of Traquair.

Stage 6

There are no services here, but the small town of Innerleithen is 2km away if needed (there is an off-road path). Otherwise, turn right opposite the memorial to head up a lane, passing the village hall. When the lane bends right, keep ahead on a track - signed for Minch Moor; you are now following part of the Southern Upland Way. The track climbs gently, giving great views back over Traquair. Ignore a path off left, continuing the climb and passing through two gates, and then a gap in a stone wall. Keep straight across when a track crosses the route.

Stage 7

Cross over another track, and then take the left hand fork (the Southern Upland Way is the right hand one). The two routes rejoin at a marker post and continue uphill. An info board sits just below the Cheese Well, a natural spring which has long been a water source for travellers on this old drove route. It was marked on Timothy Pont's map of 1600. Wayfarers often left offerings here - including cheese - to thank the faeries for their safe passage. Go straight ahead at a cross-paths (the summit of Minch Moor is off to the right). The route now becomes a gravel track and passes a phone mast, depressingly powered by a diesel generator. Go straight across at a junction, now on a grassier track once more. The route climbs slightly over Hare Law, eventually reaching a junction. Turn right here, signed for the Cross Borders Drove Road and leaving the Southern Upland Way.

Stage 8

The next section - known as the Minchmoor Road - is a real delight, a grassy path descending very gradually across the slope, with superb views. Eventually the path curves right and descends a broad ridge through regenerating native woodland.

Stage 9

After passing through a gate the path takes to the left flank of Hangingshaw Rig, another wonderful balcony walk. There's another gate, and then the grassy track descends to reach a bench and a constructed path. Turn right here, following the path that soon heads into the trees. The path swings back left, then recrosses the original track - turn right here to continue the descent (the path ahead leads to a parking area). Keep straight ahead down the track, eventually descending some steps. Turn right at the bottom to reach the houses of Yarrowford. There are no facilities here since the SYHA closed some years ago.

Next stage: Yarrowford to Hawick

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