Newcastleton

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 Priest Hill 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.

Framework for recreation investment at Newcastleton

During spring/summer 2024, we consulted with many stakeholders (local people, FLS staff, visitors and organisations) on the future for the recreation offering in and around Newcastleton Forest. We listened and learned from everyone and are delighted to publish the final draft document. 

Framework document

Walking trails

Newcastleton route card (PDF)

Walking

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.

¼ miles / 0.5 km

Allow ¼ hours

More information

The ponds are a great draw for wildlife – look out for ducklings in spring and glittering dragonflies dashing across the water in summer.

Walking

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.

2 ¼ miles / 3.6 km

Allow 1 ½ hours

More information

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.

Walking

Hanging Tree Trail

A trail notice is in effect

Construction work ongoing along a short section of the Hanging Tree Trail. The trail remains open. Please follow all site signage and instructions from construction workers.

Discover the wild history of Newcastleton. Follow an old drove road to Bellshiel, 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.

2 ½ miles / 4.0 km

Allow 1 ½ hours

More information

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.

Walking

Priest Hill Trail

A trail notice is in effect

Construction work ongoing along a short section of the Priest Hill Trail. The trail remains open. Please follow all site signage and instructions from construction workers.

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.

3 miles / 4.7 km

Allow 2 hours

Mountain biking trails

Newcastleton is one of the internationally-renowned 7stanes mountain biking trail centres.

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

Newcastleton 7stanes route card (PDF)

Mountain Biking

Blue Route

Grade – Blue: Moderate 6 miles / 9.7 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade – Blue: Moderate  
Expect a mixture of climbs and descents with moderate gradients, technical features like tree roots and rock steps; jumps and berms. Rollable features at controlled speed. Variable surfaces.

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.

Mountain Biking

Red Route (diverted)

Grade – Red: Difficult 14 ½ miles / 23.4 km

Is this trail for you? Find the right grade for your abilities

Grade – Red: Difficult  Expect a mixture of steep climbs, descents and / or avoidable features. Larger jumps, berms and rollable features at controlled speed. Technical features such as tree roots, drop-offs and large rocks. Very variable surfaces.

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.

A trail notice is in effect

The Red Route is open with two diversions. Route is diverted at post 27 (just after the exit of Hidden Valley Lower) to post 30 (exit of The Bog). This is to bypass The Bog section which is currently closed due to broken boardwalk. Swarf Hill is closed due to multiple storm damaged trees with a diversion from post 36 to post 38. 

Activities

The Cross Border Trail

A short section of the Cross Border Trail (post 22 – 46) is currently closed due to storm damaged trees blocking the trail with a 1.6km diversion in place to bypass.

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.

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.

Please note – the trail on the Scotland side is waymarked in one direction only - anti clockwise. 

You should allow 9 hours to walk the route. Check our advice on hill walking before you set off.

Facilities and access

Horse riding

Mountain biking

Walking

Wildlife hide

Parking

Picnic area

Public toilets and showers are available in Newcastleton village just off Douglas Square on Langholm Street next to the Fire Station (charges apply). Newcastleton also has several places to eat, drink and shop. 

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

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 Priest Hill 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 Priest Hill 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 directions