Dunbar cliff top trail, Dunbar

This circuit from Dunbar is in two parts - the first explores the red sandstone cliffs and golf courses and the second the historic high street and and harbours. Dunbar was the childhood home of the father of the conservation movement - John Muir - and his birthplace is now a museum.

Terrain

Clear paths, care needed on golf course, roads with pavements.

Public Transport

Bus and train to Dunbar.

Start

Dunbar Leisure Pool car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.75km / 3.5 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 43m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT678791

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is parking at Dunbar Leisure Pool near the north end of the High Street, alternatively there is more parking nearby for Lauderdale Park on the coastal Bayswell Road. Start the walk by heading west (to the left as you face the pool from the car park) from the Leisure Pool building and almost immediately turn right down steps signed for the John Muir Way. This leads to a coastal clifftop path which is followed all the way to Belhaven Bay. Follow the railed walkway along the first bay, ignoring the first long flight of steps up to the left and as you head around the first small headland take the next sharp left up steps which climb up to a path which passes to the right of a house.

Stage 2

Looking back from the top of the steps there is a good view of the castle, one of the most important fortresses in Scotland in the Middle Ages though a scant crumbling ruin today. The path leads through a tunnel and then descends to pass at a lower level around the back of a bay with some dramatic sandstone rock formations. At the far end of the bay the path climbs more steps to emerge at a war memorial.

Stage 3

Turn right to follow the now level cliff top trail. The houses of Dunbar are left behind as the path follows the coastal crags and is separated from the golf course by a high stone wall on the left. The wall and coast wind left and right before the path descends a flight of steps to reach a lower part of the golf course right beside the sea. On the next section beware of golf balls and do give way to any golfers playing shots as the route follows the edge of the course.

Stage 4

Continue along the edge of the golf course by the shore, reaching a bench at the turning point with a grand view across Belhaven Bay to the Bass Rock and out to the Isle of May. From here follow the path as it cuts inland beside the Tyne Estuary. The path eventually reaches a series of benches and a group of chalets. A bridge ahead gives access to the sands and a possible extension of the walk around Belhaven Bay - but the link over the bridge and sands is possible only at low tide (otherwise the John Muir Way could be used).

Stage 5

Turn left opposite the Shore Road car park to follow the road back towards Dunbar. Though it cannot compare to the outward leg along the cliffs, there are still good views across the golf course, with North Berwick Law in the distance across Belhaven Bay. Keep straight ahead when the houses of Dunbar are reached, eventually returning to the leisure centre and car park at the start of the walk.

Stage 6

For the second part of the walk, pass to the left of the very grand Lauderdale House - dating back to the eighteenth century, it is the most imposing building in Dunbar. Turn right along the far side of the house and then left onto the High Street. Continue along the length of the High Street, with a variety of shops; look out for the John Muir Birthplace museum on the right side, and further on, the Old Town house on the left, its tower adorned with sundials. The town house is now a museum, and outside stands a new sculpture of John Muir as a boy, reaching out to the birds. Continue along the road, keeping left at a fork and then turning left at the traffic lights just beyond.

Stage 7

After the road bends left, turn right down Woodbush Brae with the sea visible ahead at the bottom. Take a left onto Woodbush and follow the street, which is open to the beach on the right at one point. When a junction is reached a right turn down Victoria Street leads to the older of Dunbar's two harbours - Cromwell harbour - though this is a block end. Instead the walk continues ahead to reach Victoria harbour. Turn left along the near side of the harbour, admiring the rocky entrance with the castle well seen on the left. Finally return to the start by climbing up to the modern sports centre building.

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