Cademuir

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. Look out for for small birds such as siskins, warblers, crossbills, or greater spotted woodpeckers. If you’re lucky you might see 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.

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.

3 ¾ miles / 6.0 km

Allow 2 ½ hours

More information

Two German air force pilots took refuge in Cademuir when they had bailed out here during World War II. The forest was so secluded 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. Buchan was also a politician and Governor-General of Canada. Find out more about the route at Scottish Borders Council.

Facilities and access

Horse riding

Viewpoint

Walking

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.

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