Things to Do in Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders is a region characterized by its diverse and captivating landscapes, offering a wide range of terrain for outdoor pursuits. The area features rolling hills like the Eildon Hills and Lammermuir Hills, extensive river valleys carved by the River Tweed, and a dramatic coastline along the Berwickshire coast. These varied natural features provide an ideal setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Scottish Borders
For those seeking things…
249
Routes
4.5
(793)
Average rating
10108
People visited
4.9
(90)
551
hikers
5.66km
01:34
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(32)
172
hikers
9.19km
02:59
410m
400m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(14)
129
hikers
13.4km
03:32
120m
120m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(15)
128
hikers
11.7km
03:03
80m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(7)
311
riders
25.5km
02:31
560m
550m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.5
(13)
254
riders
21.5km
01:59
340m
340m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.9
(7)
206
riders
17.7km
01:47
480m
480m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
3.0
(2)
5
riders
38.1km
03:48
1,020m
1,020m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.4
(5)
196
riders
90.8km
04:06
930m
920m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(5)
221
riders
25.6km
01:06
170m
170m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(3)
129
riders
61.9km
02:52
770m
770m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
4.5
(2)
80
riders
46.6km
02:07
360m
360m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(3)
176
riders
79.0km
04:53
740m
740m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(12)
155
riders
24.8km
01:28
170m
170m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(5)
128
riders
85.0km
05:22
970m
970m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
25
riders
74.2km
04:38
840m
840m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
20
runners
8.90km
01:15
410m
410m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
23
runners
11.9km
01:18
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.0
(1)
17
runners
6.42km
00:46
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.0
(1)
15
runners
13.1km
01:54
390m
390m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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69
riders
53.9km
04:28
990m
990m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
40
riders
45.4km
03:18
720m
720m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
35
riders
72.2km
05:43
1,120m
1,120m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
43
riders
49.5km
03:28
720m
720m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
hikers
9.70km
03:56
580m
580m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
1
hikers
7.09km
03:02
480m
480m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.68km
02:02
280m
280m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Top attractions in the region
Explore the region
Most popular attractions in Scottish Borders
Collections
Walk Britain – 90 car-free adventures in England, Wales and Scotland
Hiking Collection by
elisedowning
Southern Upland Way — A wild and undiscovered coast-to-coast challenge
Hiking Collection by
Dan Hobson
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Scottish Borders?
Scottish Borders offers a wide range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features over 3,300 routes for various sports. These routes have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 171,000 visitors.
What are the most popular hiking areas in Scottish Borders?
Popular hiking areas include the Eildon Hills, known for their distinctive triple peaks and panoramic views. The Cheviot Hills and Lammermuir Hills also provide challenging routes. For more information, see the Hiking in Scottish Borders guide.
Are there long-distance hiking paths in Scottish Borders?
The Scottish Borders is home to sections of renowned long-distance paths. These include the Southern Upland Way, which spans 212 miles (341 km) across Scotland, and the St Cuthbert's Way, a 62-mile (100 km) cross-border route connecting Melrose to Holy Island.
Where are the best mountain biking trails in Scottish Borders?
Glentress and Innerleithen are premier centers for mountain biking within the 7stanes network. They offer a variety of trails from beginner-friendly to extreme downhill. More details are available in the MTB Trails in Scottish Borders guide.
What are the best road cycling routes in Scottish Borders?
Road and touring cyclists can explore quiet country roads and dedicated cycle paths. The Tweed Cycle Route provides scenic journeys through towns like Peebles, Galashiels, and Melrose. The Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys are also popular for road cycling, offering challenging terrain and leisurely circular routes. Consult the Road Cycling Routes in Scottish Borders guide for more.
Are there easy hiking routes in Scottish Borders?
Yes, the Scottish Borders offers easy hiking routes suitable for various fitness levels. Gentle riverside paths along the River Tweed provide leisurely strolls. For specific options, refer to the Easy hikes in Scottish Borders guide.
Are there family-friendly hikes in Scottish Borders?
The region provides family-friendly hiking options suitable for all ages. These routes often feature accessible terrain and points of interest for children. Specific family-friendly trails can be found in the Family-friendly hikes in Scottish Borders guide.
Are there dog-friendly walks in Scottish Borders?
Many trails in the Scottish Borders are suitable for walking with dogs. It is advisable to keep dogs under control, especially near livestock. Information on specific routes can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes in Scottish Borders guide.
What natural landmarks can be found in Scottish Borders?
Notable natural landmarks include the Eildon Hills, which are extinct volcanoes, and the scenic River Tweed. The Berwickshire coast features dramatic cliffs and unique geological formations at St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve.
What komoot guides are available for Scottish Borders?
Komoot offers several guides for the region, including Hiking in Scottish Borders, Road Cycling Routes in Scottish Borders, and MTB Trails in Scottish Borders. Other guides cover family-friendly hikes, easy hikes, and dog-friendly routes.
How can I contact the Scottish Borders Council for more information?
The official website for the local authority is scotborders.gov.uk. For direct inquiries, the Customer Advice and Support Service can be reached at 0300 100 1800 during business hours.
Are there routes accessible by public transport in Scottish Borders?
Some hiking routes in Scottish Borders are accessible via public transport, particularly from bus stations in various towns. A dedicated guide, Hikes from bus stations in Scottish Borders, provides specific options.
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