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Cademuir

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About

Climb through rolling hillside forest for glorious valley views

Cademuir Hill gives commanding views over Peebles and Glentress Forest. The scenery is at its best on misty mornings or in the low light of early evening.

It’s an ideal place for wildlife spotting. Keep an eye – and an ear – open for small birds such as siskins, warblers and crossbills, or greater spotted woodpeckers. If you’re very lucky you’ll catch a glimpse of tawny owls fleeting through the trees at dusk or red deer bouncing through the trees.

Walking trails

Cademuir route card (PDF)

Walking

Tantah's Trail

A lovely short loop through this peaceful larch and pine forest, where bird song fills the air and wildlife waits around every turn.

Firm gravel surface throughout. Some steep slopes and occasional muddy section. Suitable for horses with softer alternative route in places.

Moderate trail grade icon grade icon
1 ¼ miles / 2.2 km

Allow ¾ hour

More information

Tantah House, from which the trail takes its name, is an imposing 19th century villa just downhill from the north end of the forest. It was built by local foundry owner James Inglis, who named it after a town in Egypt – nobody knows why.

Walking

Pilots' Trail

Be rewarded with panoramic views of the Tweed Valley from the summit of Cademuir Hill and see if you can spot the Iron Age settlement.

Firm gravel path with some uneven sections. Includes a long steep slope and some muddy patches.

Strenuous trail grade icon grade icon
3 ¾ miles / 6.0 km

Allow 2 ½ hours

More information

The two German air force pilots took refuge in Cademuir when they had bailed out here during World War II. The forest is so secluded that they were only discovered when smoke from their fire gave them away.

Activities

Horse riding

Cademuir’s trails, with their mixture of forest and open hill, are popular with horse riders.

The John Buchan Way

The John Buchan Way, a 13 mile trail that connects Peebles and Broughton, runs alongside the forest. The route celebrates the author of The Thirty-Nine Steps, who was also a politician and Governor-General of Canada. Find out more about the route at Scottish Borders Council.

Trails in Cademuir

The diversity of trees and habitat within Cademuir makes it popular with many different forest visitors. Find out more about how we’re working to create ideal environments for walking, mountain biking and horse riding in the Tweed Valley Forest Park.

Tweed Valley Zoning Plan (PDF 6MB)

Facilities and access

Horse riding
Horse riding
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
Parking
Parking

The nearest public toilets, as well as plenty of places to eat, drink and shop, are back along the road in Peebles.

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

Cademuir is 1½ miles south of Peebles. There's a few turns that are easy to miss, so it's worth reading these directions before you go:

  • From the centre of Peebles, head south over the River Tweed on the B7062. Ignore the wide turning straight ahead, instead taking the second right which is signposted for 'High School'.
  • Follow Springhill Road for a ¼ mile, turning right when prompted by another sign for 'High School'.
  • After this turning, take an immediate left along Bonnington Road. Follow Bonnington Road for 1 mile, until the sign marking the entrance to Cademuir appears on the right.

Using SatNav?

EH45 9HH is the nearest postcode, a little before you reach the forest.

Get directions

Get in touch

Have a question or suggestion for improvement?

Phone
0300 067 6900 (option 1)
More contact information

Nearby forests

Drooping conifer branch

Award-winning mountain biking and so much more

Facilities and activities
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Mountain biking
Mountain biking
Wildlife hide
Wildlife hide
Walking
Walking
Treetop adventure
Treetop adventure
Picnic area
Picnic area
Toilets
Toilets
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Visitor centre
Visitor centre
Easy-access facilities
Easy-access facilities
Cafe or refreshments
Cafe or refreshments
Bike hire
Bike hire
Shower
Shower
Distance from 'Glentress': 2.17 miles
Drooping conifer branch

Beautiful views of Tweed Valley and 2000 years of history

Facilities and activities
Ancient monument
Ancient monument
Horse riding
Horse riding
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Picnic area
Picnic area
Toilets
Toilets
Distance from 'Cardrona': 2.54 miles
Drooping conifer branch

A forested climb to the site of an Iron Age hill fort

Facilities and activities
Ancient monument
Ancient monument
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Walking
Walking
Distance from 'Caberston Forest': 5.14 miles