Strolls, Walks and Hikes
Here is the number of walks and hikes (with or without your canine friends) that we have walked over the years and have a first hand experience of. We are focusing more on the local area of Greenlaw but there are some that are outside of the village and worth mentioning. At the bottom of this page you will find a list of links to various walking websites you might want to check out and the general list of local activities with dates when you should take an extra care whilst waking. And remember – clean up after your dog and dispose of you own litter. Thank you!
Happer's Woodland - Greenlaw
- 5 minute walk – Greenlaw
- circular
- 1km
- nice visible paths and easy to follow
- not boggy
- child friendly
- pet friendly – you will come across some dogs here
- overall ♥♥♥♥
Although Greenlaw’s Happer Memorial Woodland mainly features a football pitch (Greenlaw FC), it is surrounded by a woodland walk and bordered by the Blackadder River on the right hand side. It is a small area, just below 9 acres, but perfect size for the short dog walks or impromptu football matches. The dogs and children can be unleashed and it is only a 5min walk away from the cottage.
Cheswick Beach
- 30 minute drive – Cheswick
- non circular
- 1-3km
- sandy beach
- lot of sand and sandy dunes
- child friendly
- pet friendly
- overall ♥♥♥♥♥
This is our favourite sandy beach to go to. It is quite secluded and vast (especially with the tide out). It does get rather windy and the sea is cold even though it looks so blue and welcoming. The car park is small so people tend to park alongside the road. It takes 5 minutes to walk to the beach from the car park.
Greenlawdean
- 10 minute walk – Greenlaw
- could be circular
- 2-8km
- some visible paths
- not too boggy but tussocky
- child friendly
- pet friendly – sheep and cows and shooting season
- overall ♥♥♥♥♥
This is a lovely walk through a glacial valley following the Blackadder River to the point where it meets Fangrist Burn. You can climb up to an iron age fort ‘Blackcastle Rings’ which is situated on the right hand side of the valley before the actual confluence. You might encounter cattle or sheep on the banks of the river so you will have to put your dog on the lead at various stages of the walk. Also, between October and January, this area is used for pheasant shooting so watch out for signs and notices.
Gordon Community Woodland
- 5 minute drive – Gordon
- circular
- 2-5km
- nice visible paths and easy to follow
- not too boggy
- child friendly
- pet friendly – you will meet lot of dogs on this walk
- overall ♥♥♥♥♥
Gordon Community Woodland is just 5 minutes drive from Greenlaw towards Gordon village on A6105. This large community woodland of over 200 acres has a pond, a cabin, a river, old burial mounds and a disused railway line as well as lots of trees. It is criss-crossed by well trodden paths and definitely favoured by dog walkers. You can spend as little or as long in this friendly woodland.
The Eildons
- 20 minute drive – Melrose
- circular
- 4km
- nice visible paths and easy to follow but steepish in some places
- little boggy
- child friendly
- pet friendly
- overall ♥♥♥♥♥
The three shapely summits of the Eildon Hills are an iconic part of the Scottish Borders landscape They make for a fine half-day hillwalk from the attractive town of Melrose. The views from their tops are stunning allowing the observer on a clear day to look out to the Lammermuirs, Moorfoots and Upper Tweeddale Hills. This hike/walk has steep sections so be ready. It can take up to 2-4 hours to tackle all 3 hills, depending on your fitness.
The Cheviots
- 30 minute drive – Kirk Yetholm
- circular
- 12km
- nice visible paths and easy to follow
- not too boggy however there is only one place where you can sink up to your knees in the mud
- child friendly
- pet friendly – watch out for roaming sheep and cows
- overall ♥♥♥♥♥
The Cheviots are only 30 minutes away from Greenlaw and are famous for hill walking. These beautiful rolling hills run between Northumberland and Scottish Borders. ‘The Cheviot’ is the highest point in the Northumberland National Park at 815 metres and should be approached from Wooler side. The Scottish side is usually accessed via Kirk Yetholm.
North Berwick
- 1hour drive – North Berwick
- non circular
- 1+ km
- nice visible paths and easy to follow
- sandy and busy
- child friendly
- pet friendly – you will come across lot of dogs here
- overall ♥♥♥♥
This is a bit further but worthwhile. You park in designated beach car parks and start working heading South with the sea on your left. The terrain is varied from sandy to rocky and then it takes you onto a grassy paths. If you walk for 3km you will come to a lovely coffee house, Drift. Have a cup of coffee and one of their excellent cakes and head back.
Leaderfoot
- 20min drive – Gattonside
- circular
- 8 km
- nice visible paths and easy to follow
- not boggy at all
- child friendly
- pet friendly – you will come across lot of dogs here
- overall ♥♥♥♥♥
Love this walk. It is interesting, paths wind through fields, woodlands and across the river and up the steps and around the hill etc. You literally follow the river up and down on the other side. There are numerous beautiful view points and a number of handcrafted benches to sit, rest and enjoy. The only downside is that the parking area is very small and is on the busy road.
Black Hill
- 15min drive – Earlston
- circular-ish
- 4-6 km
- nice visible paths and easy to follow
- not boggy at all
- child friendly
- pet friendly – you will come across lot of dogs here
- overall ♥♥♥♥
We have only done this walk once. It is not one of my favorite walks but it is definitely enjoyable, with picturesque countryside and is generally considered an easy route. You can park your car in the center of Earlston or on a Station Road. As you walk up the Station Road, you will come across a path on your right which is your start of the trail. The paths are well trodden and visible and expect quiet roads ad grassy paths.
Twizel Bridge
- 25 minutes – Donaldson’s Lodge
- circular
- 4-5 km
- nice visible paths, quiet roads and fields
- uneven and can get muddy
- child friendly
- pet friendly
- overall ♥♥♥♥♥
This is a lovely walk which takes you along the river Till to a place where it joins the River Tweed, passing Twizel Bridge, Twizel Viaduct and the ruins of Twizel Castle. A 2 minute drive from Donaldson’s Lodge on A698 and after the bridge you will come to a small car park on your left. Go through the gate and turn left. The paths runs parallel with the River TIll and later with the River Tweed. You will come across a number of different paths going off the main one; do not be afraid to take them. You can make this walk as long and as varied as you want. Please note, there is some serious fishing going on in this area.
Halliburton Road
Greenlawdean
Cheviots
The Eildons
The Eildons
Greenlawdean
