Welcome

Walks Around West Linton

West Linton is a great place to go for a walk as it has a rich countryside to explore.

There are 27 recognised walks around the area ranging from a short easy walk around the village taking in the Minster's Pool, the Village Green and many of the historical buildings, to the more challenging long walks towards the Covenanter's Grave for example.

Whatever type or length of walk you wish to do, we hope you enjoy your visit to West Linton.

There are also a number of shops, Chemist, Doctor's Surgery, Post Office and places to eat such as The Old Toll Tea House, The Gordon Arms Hotel, Whitmuir Organics, West Linton Golf Club & The Old Bakehouse.

For more information on each walk, click on the links below.

West Linton is also a stop off point on two long distance walks. Land's End to John O'Groats and The Scottish National Trail. If you would like us to store postage in advance of your arrival, please give us a call. Locally there are B&B's, restaurants and cafe to rest and refresh.

TWITTER-clean-icon

Tel: 01968 660229

Email: calum1st@hotmail.com

Square

Walk A1 - Circular walk From West Linton

Time – 45-60 minutes; Distance – 3 km/2 miles

The classic West Linton family walk along the top of the gorge through which Lyne Water runs – straightforward but a head for heights needed in a couple of places, as the name suggests....read more

Walk A2 - Circular walk from Carlops

Time - 45-60 minutes; Distance - 3.5 km/2.25 miles

An easy family walk around the Carlops area with plenty of opportunity for exploring, tree climbing and paddling. read on...

Walk A3 - Circular walk from West Linton

Time - 60 minutes; Distance - 4 km/2.5 miles

A lovely stroll from the village along the stretch of the Lyne Water behind Broomlee camp. The route is a right of way but not an 'official' footpath, so it could be lost if not used. read on...

Walk A4 - Linear walk from Halmyre to West Linton

Time - 60 minutes; Distance - 4.5 km/3 miles

A straightforward walk from the A701 near Newlands Village Hall at Halmyre to West Linton via Kaimes and Broomlee Hill. read on...

Easy Walks

Habbie’s Howe

Walk A5 - Circular walk from Carlops

Time - 60 minutes; Distance - 5 km/3 miles

A fascinating, short and easy walk with much of interest to see, featuring the beautiful gorge known as Habbie’s Howe. read on...

Newlands Hill Forts

Walk A6 - Linear walk from Newlands Kirk

Time - 45 minutes; Distance - 3.5 km/2.25 miles

A walk in the valley of the Lyne linking two (probably) iron age hill forts, with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. read on...

Lynedale Historic

Walk A7 - Circular walk from West Linton

Time – 45-60 minutes; Distance – 3.5 km/2.25 miles

A short circular walk that passes through the outskirts of West Linton and across the river Lyne via the old bridge at Lynedale. It traverses an area rich in historical associations and of outstanding scenic quality. This walk includes notes on landmarks of historic interest along the way originally prepared by the West Linton Tourist Group. read on...

West Linton Village Historic

Walk A8 - Circular walk in West Linton

Time – 45 minutes; Distance – N/A

A gentle stroll around the village of West Linton itself. This walk includes notes on landmarks of historic interest in the village originally prepared by the West Linton Tourist Group. read on...

Walk A9 - Circular walk from Carlops

Time – 1 hour; Distance – 3 km/2 miles

A short walk in pretty countryside above Carlops – the return leg has some tricky terrain to cover, so perhaps an A+ of a walk. read on...

Kitleyknowe And Rutherford

Walk A10 - Circular walk from Carlops

Time – 1 hour – 90 minutes; Distance – 5 km/3 miles

A short circular walk from Carlops to Kitleyknowe and then along a little known (and little used) footpath across to Rutherford Castle, crossing the A702 and back to Carlops on the Old Roman Road. read on...

Walk A11 - Linear walk from Carlops

Time – 1 hour; Distance – 4 km/2.5 miles

A fine walk from Carlops up to Harbour Craig, the dramatic rock up beyond Kitleyknowe where local covenanters are said to have taken refuge. Mostly easy going, but the section at Harbour Craig where the route descends to the .. read on...

Walk A12 - Circular walk from near Penicuik

Time – 60 minutes; Distance – 4 km/2.5 miles

A little outside our patch, but most of us drive past the start and finish of this walk so often, an hour’s detour is more than worth it to explore this secret world. If you’ve ever wondered what that car park is for just outside of Penicuik... read on...

Jenny Barry's Cave

Walk A13 - Linear walk from Carlops

Time – 45 minutes; Distance – 2 km/2 miles

A walk through a hidden valley along to a cave named after Jenny Barry, one of the two witches, or carlines, after who Carlops is reputed to be named. The witches would jump between the two outcrops of rock in the village...read on...

Walk B1 - Circular walk From West Linton

Time - 2 hours; Distance - 9 km/5.5 miles

A walk up into the Pentlands from West Linton but without the pain of too much climbing and with fine views of the hills around you, Mendick Hill in particular read on

North Esk Reservoir

Walk B2 - Circular walk from Carlops

Time - 1 hour 30 mins; Distance - 7 km/4.5 miles

A great walk up into the Pentlands with lovely views of the reservoir and towards the coast – good paths with one long uphill stretch to get the lungs working. read on...

John's Path And The Old Coach Road

Walk B3 - Linear walk from Blyth Bridge

Time - 2 hours; Distance - 10 km/6 miles

A pretty walk along a river bank and then along the old Coach Road between Blyth Bridge and West Linton, with good paths and varied landscape, combining two of the ‘ Tweed Trails’..read on...

Flemington and Drove Road to Romanno Bridge

Walk B4 - Circular walk from Newlands Kirk

Time - 2 hours 30 minutes; Distance - 11 km/6.5 miles

A stunning walk along the Lyne valley in hill fort country, then out into wilder terrain, followed by a downhill stretch with fantastic views across to West Linton. The route follows good paths, well waymarked all the way round. read on

Ninemileburn - West Kip

Walk B5 - Circular walk from Ninemileburn

Time - 2 hours; Distance - 10km/6miles

A great circular walk on good paths taking you up to the top of West Kip at 551m if you so wish – you could leave this bit out and still... read on

Moderate Walks

Prehistoric Walk from Dolphinton to West Linton

Walk B6 - Linear walk from Dolphinton

Time – 2 hours; Distance – 7.5 km/4.5 miles (one way)

A long walk back to West Linton from Dolphinton via Garvald through a prehistoric landscape containing much evidence of early occupation including ornaments of gold and other metals, ritual and burial sites and arrow heads. Read on...

Historic Walk to Dolphinton

Walk B7 - Linear walk from West Linton

Time – 2 hours; Distance – 6.5 km/4 miles (one way)

A long walk on level ground from West Linton along to Dolphinton and back with fine views. This walk includes notes on landmarks of historic interest along the way originally prepared by the West Linton Tourist Group. See route B6 for an alternative return leg. read on

Walk B8 - Linear walk from West Linton

Time – 2 hours; Distance – 6.5 km/4 miles (one way)

Another classic West Linton walk up the village’s own hill. The walk is traditionally done on New Year's Day and would certainly clear the head and get the circulation going. The track to the foot of the hill is level and easy, but it is a bit of slog up to the top with no clear path to follow. read on

Walk B9 - Circular walk from Carlops

Time - 2 hours; Distance - 7 km/4.5 miles

A circular walk from Carlops taking in Patie's Hill, which is only 435 metres high but has 'bangs per buck' in terms of its views. The well way-marked route passes via a plantation of native trees and wetland that will surely become a local beauty spot and a fine restored sheep pen. read on

Lyne Water and Broomlee Hill

Walk B10 - Circular walk from West Linton

Time - 90mins-2 hours; Distance - 4 km/2.5 miles

Initially a gentle stroll from the village along the stretch of the Lyne Water behind Broomlee camp, the middle section of the walk up Broomlee Hill will get the heart rate going a bit. read on...

The Covenanter’s Grave

Walk C1 - Circular walk from West Linton

Time - 4-5 hours; Distance - 19km/11.5 miles

A long walk out to perhaps the loneliest, most remote and atmospheric spot in the Pentlands – mostly on good tracks but one tricky section across rough and boggy moorland probably best done in dry and clear weather. The return leg follows the route of walk B6, ‘Prehistoric Walk to West Linton..read on...

Walk C2 - Circular walk from West Linton

Time - 4-5 hours; Distance - 15km/9miles

A fine walk along the ridge of the Pentlands between Baddinsgill and the North Esk reservoir, with spectacular views in all directions, taking in the Lothians, the Forth Bridge and Fife. The summit of Mount Maw is at 535m. read on...

West Water Reservoir and Medwynhead

Walk C3 - Circular walk from West Linton

Time – 3-4 hours; Distance – 15km/9 miles

A long walk out into the high Pentland moorland, mostly on good tracks but with one short section across rough and boggy moorland. The return leg follows the route of walk B6, ‘Prehistoric Walk to West Linton’, which is worth taking with you for its useful historical notes. read on...

Strenuous Walks

West Linton Along The Old Drove Road

Walk C4 - Linear walk from Peebles

Time – 5 hours; Distance – 20km/12 miles

A lovely walk, the joy of which is that almost all of it is off-road, using very good and extremely efficiently signposted paths and tracks that form part of the Hawick to Harperrig Cross Borders Drove Road. The route has terrific views back to Peebles, passes through the Meldon Hills and through the Cloich Forest, moorland...read on..

Cauldstane Slap, East Cairn Hill And The Bore Stane

Walk C5 - Circular walk from Baddinsgill

Time – 6 hours; Distance – 20km/12 miles

A long walk out into the high Pentland moorland and to the top of East Cairn Hill at 561m, but the climb is steady apart from one steep section, mostly on well maintained footpaths but with the middle section between Cauldstane Slap and Bore Stane...read on...

West Cairn Hill and Cauldstane Slap

Walk C6 - Circular walk from Baddinsgill

Time – 2-3 hours; Distance – 12km/7 miles

A good walk out into the high Pentland moorland and to the top of West Cairn Hill at 562m. While not as long as other 'difficult' walks, the middle section climbing up West Cairn Hill is very tough going, crossing open and boggy moorland and then climbing steeply...read on..

Mount Maw and East Cairn Hill Ridge Walk

Walk C7 - Circular walk from Baddinsgill

Time – 4-5 hours; Distance – 14km/8.5 miles

A strenuous but rewarding circular walk along the ridge of the Pentlands between Baddinsgill and the North Esk

reservoir and then across to East Cairn Hill, returning via the Thieves Road, with spectacular views in all directions.

Walk C8 - Circular walk from Ninemileburn

Time – 3-4 hours; Distance – 15km/9 miles

A circular walk across high moorland that connects two trans-Pentland footpaths, with fine views to Edinburgh, the bridges, Fife and beyond, as well as views of the Pentlands ridge that cannot be seen from anywhere else. read on...

Land's End to John O'Groats The Scottish National Trail