If you have driven to Dunbar and parked your car there, you can take the Edinburgh train back there on the same trainline, which takes approximately 20 minutes. Try local produce at various eateries scattered along the coast and stay in local, carefully-selected accommodation. These trains do not run as often however, so you will need to refer to the website above for times and schedules. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation on this tour will be made simple and you cannot get lost. Evidence of this conflict is all along the trail, such as the clifftop ruins of Fast Castle and the impressive town walls at Berwick-upon-Tweed. Thanks for any advice, Barbara. The train operator for this line is the London North Eastern Rail. Stretching for some 45km from Cockburnspath in the north down to Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Berwickshire Coastal Path takes in some dramatic clifftop scenery complete with arches, stacks and. In the summer it should be a bit warmer and the weather more settled and in the Autumn will be quiet and peaceful as all the summer tourists will have left. This region was the site of much contention between England and Scotland in the Middle Ages, and the largest town in the area, Berwick-upon-Tweed, changed hands more than a dozen times before England captured it for good in 1482. One of Scotland's Great Trails, this long-distance walk is an absolute winner and very easily accessible from Edinburgh. Map and areas of interest along Berwickshire coastal path. With a tasty breakfast and a very warm welcome from the owners, you are sure to enjoy your stay here. The trail is level and paved, so it's an easy walk. Download now. You may wish to plan a rest day or have an additional night at any of the locations along the route which offer activities or sightseeing opportunities weve made some suggestions below. St Abbs is another pretty coastal village with a small harbour and a popular short walk up to St Abbs Head. Remember from to drive north to south, so that you have all the beautiful views just next to you! His much more daring pitch, down in the cove, would not look out of place on the cover of a magazine, but I suspected it might be noisy with the waves crashing nearby. Alternatively you may need to use taxi or local bus services to Eyemouth where there are plenty of facilities. Click to find organised Berwickshire Coastal Path walking holiday packages and baggage transfer providers. I had hoped that I might see an early puffin or two, but the birds which the reserve is famous for hadnt arrived yet. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Soon after passing the Needles Eye, a rock archway on the cliff edge, you will arrive in the historic town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. What restaurants are near Fort Bragg Coastal Trail? Since the Berwickshire Coastal Path is one of Scotland's Great Trails, it will be well waymarked. Distance: 24.5mi / 39.5km. The southern end of the path is at Berwick-upon-Tweed where you will find the only railway station on the trail. Navigation is relatively straightforward; the route is well waymarked. Standing at 37m tall and built between 1899 and 1901 by the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson's cousins, it is a distinctive feature of the landscape. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. Fees: This is a fee campground. There two different locations of Glass Beach. Watch out for kittiwakes, puffins, oystercatchers, guillemots and curlews, especially at St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve. We will always prioritise accommodation as close to the walking trail as possible. Note that whilst the official distance for the trail is 30miles/48km long, this includes an optional 1mile/2km spur to Coldingham for accommodation, and the same again back to the main route. You are assured a very warm welcome from Liz and Graham at the Tweed View House. The town has many pubs and restaurants where you can toast your completion of the path. A warm welcome for tourers in a peaceful location, East Lothian's best kept secret. It is named after the RMS Mauretania and the restaurant itself is decorated with wood panelling taken from the ship's boardroom. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enjoy this site? Here you are on the highest cliffs on the Berwickshire Coastal Path and some of the highest in the UK. At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. This can be done using airline mode so that the battery usage remains low and you don;t have to be on Wifi to enjoy this very secure way of navigating. Several sandy beaches are reached en route to the town of Eyemouth, before the long final stage leads on along the cliffs to cross the Border. Cockburnspath has a local bus to Dunbar, which itself has a train station and onward bus services. This tours is graded easy to moderate and you can read all about our grading system. The going is reasonably straightforward with some steep ascents and descents. Ancient trails and pilgrimage epics, explore rural Japan to truly experience tradition. Two Days on the Berwickshire Coastal Path! Woodland walk on site; walking distance from pubs and restaurants. Find the right support service for your walk, Keep up to date with the latest news for Scotlands Great Trails, A comprehensive list of site wide image credits, More information on Scotlands Great Trails. After setting off from the harbour you pass the Barns Ness Lighthouse. The Berwickshire Coastal Path runs through an area famed for its birdlife. Highlights views over rural landscapes of East Lothian and the Borders historic border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed with its fortified walls At a Glance. The weather was mild as I worked through all my various chores for the evening. Walk on the Wild Side: Britain's 7 Best Coastal Walks. This is a nice walk along the bluffs. This is a link to my data sheet. Occasionally, your accommodation may be located a short distance from the trail, or you may need to spend more than one night in the same place, in which case we will provide return transfers. The Danube River is one of the oldest and longest rivers that flows for over 1800 miles through the heart of Europe. This is the better option, however theres limited accommodation choices at St Abbs youll most likely need to walk the 1mile spur route to Coldingham. Take a picnic and enjoy the sunset! Unless you are hill fit, I wouldnt under estimate the ascents involved and allow time for them. Built with our knowledge and expertise, to suit you. Locations with a railway station nearby are marked with a . You can also take the same trainline south to Newcastle. You will also need a small back pack so you can carry water and other essentials, such as packed lunch. Please request this when you make an enquiry. The first ascent from the beach back up to the clifftops at Burnmouth (Scotlands first harbour) may be familiar to cyclists who compete in the Brae Cycle Race up the hill every May. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves. However Scottish Borders council publish a trail leaflet, available as a PDF on their website. Rucksack Rosie. Soon after passing the Needles Eye, a rock archway on the cliff edge, you will arrive in the historic town of, Carefully selected accommodation along the route and trail transfers when applicable, En-suite or private bathroom facilities whenever possible, Comprehensive information pack, kit list, guidebook and map (one set per room), Personalised itinerary with details of your accommodation, route and recommendations for lunch and dinner, Transport to and from the start and end of the walk, Travel to Dunbar for your first night's accommodation, Dunbar to Cockburnspath (overnight Dunbar), Best available Guest Houses, Inns & Hotels, Cockburnspath to Dowlaw (overnight Eyemouth). Its a great walk, through a splendid yet not very well known part of the island of Great Britain. Kendal mint cake. return false; This year we launched our shortest walking trail yet - the 39 mile long Berwickshire Coastal Path. The Berwickshire Coastal Path stretches for some 30m / 48km, from Berwick to the south, over the border, through Burnmouth and Eyemouth, around St Abbs Head Nature Reserve as far as Cockburnspath. Berwickshire Coastal Path: St Abbs to Cockburnspath - Walking without a donkey Walking without a dog - travels in Scotland Berwickshire Coastal Path: St Abbs to Cockburnspath January 2020. Spend the afternoon exploring,before you can check into your welcoming accommodation. There is no public transport to Dowlaw, though fit walkers will be able to combine the stages. The most obvious place to break is St Abbs and Eyemouth. The route includes dramatic cliff top scenery, stacks, picturesque fishing harbours, ancient geological formations, dark skies, a ruined smugglers bothy and St Abbs Head nature reserve, which is well known for its birds. The Fort Bragg Coastal Trail is a gem of a pathway that runs from Glass Beach at the foot of Elm Street to MacKerricher State Park. Just north of that, there is a residential street with a gate that opens to take you to a flatter version. This is due to lack of accommodation in one area. The southern half to Eyemouth and St Abbs, features tourism, holiday makers and caravan parks. Pub and alternative accommodation can be found nearby in Coldingham, using the 1mile spur route. All rights reserved. Travel the right way, and make a positive impact. Two days is doable, but its harder. When I realised that I had walked in a time wasting circle because I wasnt focussing properly on my map, I finally put my down jacket back on under my waterproof jacket, which I realised that I should have done earlier. The much fought over town still boasts impressive 16th century walls, along with its three bridges over the strategic River Tweed. You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. After breakfast on a seafront bench, I prepared for another climb back up to the cliffs to rejoin the path for my second day. Total climb: 4,198ft / 1,280m . Your privacy is paramount to Macs Adventure and we will never share your personal data with anyone. St Abbs Head, an extinct volcano and a National Nature Reserve. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. Porridge sachets. Although it is only 30 miles long, this is quite a strenuous route with some excellent wild camping opportunities, dramatic scenery and dark skies. Unfortunately though, its not possible to split the trail into three similar sized days. The route hugs the cliff tops for most of this part of the journey, and it is fascinating to watch the ever changing geology of the rocks and hues of the sea as you walk. The possibility of dramatic weather makes the ocean an ever changing scene. I spent a restful night at the YHA and headed off next morning from Berwick Pier, once I had secured a sandwich for my lunch and a large stash of water. Or call us quoting the tour code on +44 (0) 131 610 1210. Use local buses or taxis and stay at Eyemouth or Berwick-upon-Tweed as an alternative. Watch out for kittiwakes, puffins, oystercatchers, guillemots and curlews who live here in abundance as you make your way around the coastline. Rather than painstakingly planning accommodation schedules, I made a spontaneous decision to do this walk, and set off the same day, once I had found a cheap train ticket to Berwick online. Bike along the Danube Cycle Path and follow the river for much of its length through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. I was still having tent pole problems of which more later, but I slept well and soundly listening to the waves below. The house has been refurbished to a high standard and offers luxury guest house accommodation. - YouTube Join Kevin and I on a classic coastal hike along the Berwickshire Coastal Path. Park at the Glass Beach parking lot, join the trail on the bike path or from the beach. Today a transfer back to Cockburnspath to begin your walk to St Abbs is included. After a mile or two a farmer, who was out in the fields for lambing, stopped to say hello. I then continued on my way. The undulating cliffs are followed for most of the trail, with lots of ups and downs to traverse. It was here that my tent pole finally gave way to the strain of being levered into position and snapped because of whatturned out to be a problem with the tensioning. Unless you organise for a taxi to pick you up somewhere, youre really looking at two longer days with a shorter third. I'd like to visit both. I braced myself for what was to come after a fairly sedentary winter, and when someone stopped for a chat about the local history, I seized the opportunity to put off the inevitable climb. Britain is a walking haven. Alternatively if youd like Ordnance Survey maps, the route is covered on the following: The Berwickshire Coastal Path is a lovely walk, one very worth doing either as a short trip, or as part of a larger walk. The nearest stations are Dunbar, Reston and Berwick, all served by Border Buses route 253. If youd prefer not to change accommodation every evening, one option is to base yourself at either Eyemouth or Berwick-upon-Tweed and use local buses in the morning and evening to get to and from your accommodation. He does not routinely offer this to walkers which is why I havent identified the farm. Although the walk is short today, there is plenty to explore and this gives you the extra time to do exactly that. 8 sites / $15.00 - overnight. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Todays walk finishes at the larger harbour village of Eyemouth. The trail starts at Glass Beach. With the second highest cliffs on the east coast of Britain, Berwickshire Coast has one of the most spectacular coastlines in Britain. The northern end of the route links up with the Southern Upland Way, whilst the John Muir Way which continues round the coastline of East Lothian is accessible via the John Muir link. What hotels are near Fort Bragg Coastal Trail? . I disagree with the reviewer who called this trail bland. I slowed down to enjoy the stroll through the undulating hills where the walk gradually turns westwards to follow the dramatic coastline towards the finish at Cockburnspath. It was still winter time, so it began to get dark at about 6.00pm. The Berwickshire Coastal Path is well waymarked for most of the route. Good quality and comfortable B&Bs, guest houses and some hotels located as close to the trail as possible. I walked through brightly flowering gorse bushes in the grey morning light into Eyemouth for a quick stop for breakfast. The Home Arms is a family-run B&B located at the heart the seaside resort and picturesque fishing port of Eyemouth. To record if you have completed the route, you must register and be logged in. Last updated 28 February 2023. I've never walked the entire trail, so I can't advise where it ends, but it heads north from Glass Beach for several miles, hugging the coastline the entire way. You will receive a warm welcome and the standard breakfast is a Scottish or English cooked one, which are similar! Some of the UK's finest glamping treehouses, set by the beach at Lochhouses in Scotland. The trail is paved and provides a scenic and safe place to walk, run or bike away from the busy traffic on Highway 1. . If you did not have the time to explore St Abbs yet then now is the time to do it. Seaview B&B is located on the Berwickshire Coastal path and sits on a clifftop above thebeautiful harbour of St Abbs in the Scottish Borders. Explore the peaceful, picturesque fishing villages of St Abbs and Eyemouth, virtually unchanged for centuries, known as legendary haunts of smugglers. Another strength of this trail is that there is very little light pollution up on the cliffs. Limited accommodation and no shop in Burnmouth. An airport shuttle bus and tram runs from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre (journey time 30 min). You will be guaranteed a warm welcome when you check into this B&B. A trail called the Forth to Farne goes on up the coastline to North Berwick. From Dowlaw you will soon reach what is possibly the highlight of the path, St Abbs Head. Published 8 May 2022. Take your time to immerse yourself in the local culture and scenery. Alternatively use local buses or taxis and stay at Eyemouth. These distances are approximate as I was not recording or following a track. We have set up this tour so that you can book it during the best months for walking. I set my alarm for a quick glimpse at the sunrise, thinking that I would go back to sleep for another hour or so, but instead I found that I was ready to get up. This is rare but you wouldn't want to be caught out because some of the walking is on exposed paths on high cliffs. We only allow one campervan at a time, ensuring our members . Navigation is easy, the scenery is stunning. Granola bars. A quiet farm campsite in the Scottish Borders with camping and shepherd's huts, not far from Berwick-upon-Tweed. Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you. The start of the tour in Dunbar is easily accessible from Edinburgh by train. Although the weather in Scotland has a reputation of being cloudy and rainy a lot of the time, the east coast has quite a lot of sunshine too, so maybe you'll be lucky! By the afternoon I realised that I was becoming a bit hypothermic as the chill reached my insides. There is a bike shop on the main street- Highway 1. It is home to rolling hills, vast moorlands, awe-inspiring peaks, and due to its obvious position as an island, it is host to thousands of miles of incredible coastline. A historic listed building, the large house has run as a hotel & guest house since the late 1880s. They run approximately every hour and the journey time is around 30 minutes. I find that covering even the most familiar routes on foot, rather than by car, is a much more intimate experience, and this walk was no exception. Fancove Head to Pettico Wick (near St Abbs Head). The accommodations on this tour are a combination of comfortable and carefully selected B&B's, guest houses and small hotels. Free wifi is available in the public areas. Timetables for all the routes can be found on Traveline Scotland. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail. The northern end of the route links up with the Southern Upland Way near Cockburnspath. Holme Fell, Coniston. Setting off from Berwick-upon-Tweed, at the northern tip of Northumberland, the trail takes you along the coastline of the historic county of Berwickshire, now part of the Scottish Borders. Search destinations. If you plan to travel by car, it may be possible to park at your accommodation in Dunbar for the duration of your holiday. On most days the average is 13 miles with one exception. 1788 by geologist James Hutton. Set within beautiful mature gardens, staying here is less formal than a hotel, but still retains the chic. This area is nationally and internationally important for seabirds, coastal flora and marine life. A small number of companies do offer organised holidays on the trail, although often spreading it out over four or five days. It is home to rolling hills, vast moorlands, awe . PATH provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Go on and get your walk planned! This airport is a 30 minute taxi to the city centre, which is also easily reachable using the Tram or Citylink bus networks. Last updated 13 October 2022 Berwickshire Coastal Path waymark Berwickshire Coastal Path Length: 30 miles, 48km Type: Waymarked trail Time required: 2-3 days Region: Scottish Borders Start: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland End: Cockburnspath, Scottish Borders Difficulty: Medium When to Walk: All year Official website All of the accommodation that we reserve for you has been personally selected by our expert team to ensure it meets our exacting standards. This service also goes onto Edinburgh which is also very well served by trains. You can take a train back to Edinburgh. Find out more about it in my own tales of the walk and see if that persuades you! Our mission is to make it easy to find and book the UK's best camping, glamping and touring holidays. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Bring your camera. Where does the trail start and end? One that is taken up with aplomb by the 30 mile/48km long Berwickshire Coastal Path. On a nocturnal loo trip, I crawled out of my tent into a dome of bright stars, which was really overwhelming in spite of the hour. Each campsite is a designated, secluded area of private land with permission, but no facilities. For more info you can, Camino Frances Final Stage - Sarria to Santiago, Walk the Berwickshire Coastal Path from Dunbar to Berwick-upon-Tweed, The Scottish and English Borders immersed in thrilling history, Exhilarating walking on some of Britain's highest sea cliffs, St Abbs Head, an extinct volcano and a National Nature Reserve, Discover the fishing villages, smugglers coves and birdlife on one of Scotland's Great Trails, 5 Nights in B&B's, guest houses and hotels, Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app, All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs My Account, 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office, Knowledgeable and helpful friendly specialist adventure planners, Wide variety of trips to suit all interests and experience levels, Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty, As featured in the Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, and more, Passionate team members based in the US, the UK & Europe, "Peace of Mind Guarantee" means no worries if you need to change your plans, Comprehensive trip information & insider tips, Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app. The Berwickshire Coastal Path crosses the border from Scotland into England and is a hidden gem that has some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK. St Abbs, Eyemouth and Berwick all also have hotel accommodation as well as bed and breakfast and shops. Rambling Man earns money from qualifying purchases from Amazon.co.uk, YHA England and Wales, Books Etc, Bookshop.org, Foyles, Waterstones, Kobo, and Google Play, if you follow links to those sites. We welcome solo walkers on the Berwickshire Coastal Path, although you should of course take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo. We can advise you about parking options when you make your enquiry. Great Place to Walk and Enjoy the Ocean, Photographer's Delight. Walk to Cockburnspath, transfer to Dunbar, Transfer to Cockburnspath. Pub and alternative accommodation can be found in Coldingham, using the 1mile spur route. All airports run regular public transport services to the city centres. A dog friendly park inside the John Muir Country Park, near the beach at North Berwick and world class golfing. Dunbar has plenty of sights of interest, including the 16th century harbour and the ruins of Dunbar Castle where Mary Queen of Scots once sheltered. The Royal Mackintosh Hotel is an independently family run hotel situated in the seaside town of Dunbar, it has 16 bedrooms all of which are en-suite. Take on Scotland's most popular trail, the West Highland Way. Then cross the border into England and reach Marshall Meadows, the most northern point in England! Each room contains a tv and dvd player, tea and coffee making facilities and a hairdryer. This means youre best booking your accommodation in advance. Golf and fishing nearby. Home Trails Berwickshire Coastal Path. Our most popular itinerary is BCP2 which covers the route in 4 days / 5 nights. Although it was a slightly dreich day, Cove harbour is a great finish before the trail turns inland and through an underpass into Cockburnspath. for the duration of your holiday. A family owned park close to the beach, looking out over the pretty Fife Coast close to North Berwick. One of Scotland's Great Trails, this long-distance walk is an absolute winner and very easily accessible from Edinburgh. The route is easily accessible at either end on public transport. Cockburnspath is the start of the official Berwickshire Coastal Path, which will begin by taking you to Cove Harbour, accessed by an old smugglers tunnel. The trail is paved and provides a scenic and safe place to walk, run or bike away from the busy traffic on Highway 1. Perfect for some precious peace and quiet, Soak up sun or surf the waves on idyllic beaches, For the convenience of a few extra comforts, Watch the kids splash and play, family-fun for all, Reconnect with each other with plenty of play time, Fun-filled for everyone with incredible facilities.