Newcastleton
Newcastleton Forest Notices
All Walking Trails open. Some Mountain Biking Trails closed or diverted. (Last updated 17 October)
- From Thursday 10 October until mid December the Priest Hill Walking Trail and the Viewpoint Walking Trail will be closed, and the Hanging Tree Walking Trail will be partly closed with a diversion in place (7 days/week) for tree felling operations. Sorry for any inconvenience. The Ponds Trail will remain fully open.
- Due to forest road upgrade work the Red Mountain Bike Route is closed and diverted until the end of October. Sorry for any inconvenience.
- The Cross Border Route is currently closed and diverted on the section next to the Kershope Burn due to a forest road failure after the recent heavy rains.
Thrills galore in the rolling forest - brilliant for biking
Whether you’re planning a peaceful picnic with lovely views, a wilderness ramble or an adrenalin-rush mountain bike ride, Newcastleton Forest offers the perfect setting. The forest is also a wildlife haven: don’t miss the hide overlooking Priesthill and the stunning Liddel valley. There are traces of ages past here too - look out for ancient settlements and burial cairns as you go.
Newcastleton Forest stretches to the border with England, where it meets Kielder Forest – making it part of the largest forest in Britain. It’s a powerhouse for timber production, but the forest is also home to a rich variety of wildlife as well as many remnants of its earlier history when the hills were dotted with ancient settlements.
Guide Map to Newcastleton Forest (PDF 1.3MB)
Walking trails
Ponds Trail
A charming stroll around the restful ponds on Whithaugh Burn. Sit by the water and look for wild flowers and dragonflies among the hazel and willow trees.
Firm gravel surface with occasional loose stones. Short fairly steep ramps, but plenty of seats along the route. Two bridges 0.9m wide.
Allow ¼ hours
The ponds are a great draw for wildlife – look out for ducklings in spring and glittering dragonflies dashing across the water in summer.
Viewpoint Trail
Great views across Liddesdale from the trig point on Priest Hill. Look for an Iron Age earthwork and a wildlife hide.
Uneven grassy paths. Long slope to summit with fairly steep sections. Some patches may be muddy.
Allow 1½ hours
This trail leads you up through spruce trees to reach the open summit of Priest Hill. There are panoramic views from here of rolling Liddesdale and beyond, and of Liddel Water, which forms the border between Scotland and England for some of its length. Visit the wildlife hide close to the trail and linger a while to see what wildlife passes by. You might also like to return to the hide on a summer’s evening to see the local badger clan emerge.
Hanging Tree Trail
Discover the wild history of Newcastleton. Follow an old drove road to Belshiels, and visit the Hanging Tree and ruins of Pouterlampert.
Rough grass and earth paths with numerous muddy sections. Several short steep slopes. Includes two bridges.
Allow 1½ hours
This trail begins along the historic drove road past the settlement of Belshiel, then returns through an atmospheric area of old, well established woodland. Pass the 500 year old farm of Pouterlampert and take a short detour to see the Hanging Tree and imagine what stories this veteran ash tree could tell.
Priesthill Trail
Take the full circuit around Priest Hill, down to the banks of Liddel Water. Ever-changing views over the valley and Border hills.
Rough grassy path with some fairly steep slopes. Muddy sections and a shallow ford.
Allow 2 hours
Mountain biking trails
Newcastleton is one of the internationally-renowned 7stanes mountain biking trail centres.
The Newcastleton 7stanes map (PDF 607KB) shows the trails.
Phytophthora Ramorum, a disease that kills larch trees, has reached Newcastleton. Please help slow the spread of the disease by making sure your bikes, shoes, kit, dogs, horses, buggies etc., are all clean before visiting Newcastleton and other forests. Thank you. #keepitclean
Blue Route
Fun singletrack for all the family.
Perfect for beginners or families, this route offers a gentle introduction to mountain biking complete with stunning views, forest paths and some fun descents.
Red Route (diverted)
A trail notice is in effect
- Due to forest road upgrade work until the end of October, the Red Route is closed and diverted at post 17 on the outward route (rejoining at post 22) and closed and diverted on the return route at post 22 (rejoining at post 19). The closure is mainly of a forest road section of the Red Route, the only section of singletrack closed will be the Caddrouns. Sorry for any inconvenience.
- The rest of the Red Route is open including Hidden Valley Upper and Swarf Hill, though look out for a temporary chicane on the trail just before the exit of Swarf Hill (post 38) and signage near the exit of Hidden Valley Upper (post 25) to slow riders. The forest roads at the exits are being upgraded. – if machines are working at the exits please wait for the operator to wave you through before passing. Thank you.
- Look out for machines working on the forest road between post 27 and post 28 (section before the Border Stane). Please stop and wait for operator to wave you through before passing. Thank you.
- Look out for tipper lorries travelling frequently in and out of the quarry near the start of Swarf Hill (post 36) and on the forest roads in/around the Red mtb Route
Feel the power of this fast and furious route.
Fast and narrow singletrack guides you through the forest and around this adrenaline pumping route. There are plenty of special features to keep you on your toes and climbs to test your cardio fitness.
Activities
The Cross Border Route
Perfect for anyone with plenty of stamina looking for a true wilderness experience, this 17½ mile (28 km) expedition from Scotland to England and back is ideal for well-prepared walkers, cyclists and horse-riders in search of an adventure into remote border country.
Please note: The Cross Border Route is currently closed and diverted on the section next to the Kershope Burn due to a forest road failure after the recent heavy rains. The road is due to be repaired and reopened by the end of October. A map of the Cross Border Route is on the Guide Map to Newcastleton Forest.
Look out for machines working on the forest road between post 25 and 28 (see Newcastleton 7stanes trailmap) until approx. mid November. Please stop and wait for operator to wave you through before passing. Thank you.
Way markers with purple arrows will take you round the trail, visiting the stunning Kershope Burn and the Three Counties meeting point, where the Scottish Borders, Northumberland and Cumbria join together. Look out for the historic Bloody Bush toll stone, which marks the crossing between Scotland and England, as well as the 21st century Border Stane. On a clear day there are superb views of the rolling borderlands.
You should allow 9 hours to walk the route. Check our advice on hill walking before you set off.
Facilities & access
You can find public toilets and free showers, as well as several places to eat, drink and shop in Newcastleton.
Getting here
Newcastleton lies on the B6357, which links Bonchester Bridge and Canonbie.
For walking trails, take the unclassified road at the southern end of Newcastleton village to Priesthill Car Park approx 2.0 miles (3.2km) from the village.
The 7stanes mountain bike trails all start/finish at the Douglas Square trailhead in the centre of Newcastleton Village.
Using SatNav?
TD9 0TA is the nearest postcode for Priesthill car park in Newcastleton Forest. For the 7stanes trailhead in the village, use postcode TD9 0QD.
Public transport
There are regular buses to Newcastleton from Hawick and Carlisle (except Sundays). You’ll find details at Traveline Scotland.
You can also reach Newcastleton under your own steam on the Reivers Route coast-to-coast cycle trail.
Get in touch
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