Walk Details
Hello, I am Charlie Sim, retired engineer living in the Scottish Borders town of Peebles. I love walking and being outdoors – and I’m delighted to be sharing some of my favourite walks here with you.
This walk starts at Peebles Hydro Hotel.
I would suggest good walking boots, sticks if required, drinks and snacks as the first section of the walk is uphill.
You should always take waterproofs with you too as the weather in Peebles is not always as the weather apps suggests!
Please take care on this walk as Glentress Forest has multi-use paths. There are many cyclists who use it so stick to the sign posted walking routes.
We head down the hill towards Janet’s brae and soonhope, turn left onto the Soonhope and follow the path all the way up to Soonhope Circular midpoint. Here we continue towards Venlaw circular route to the Y junction, we veer to the right and follow the path to the next junction that looks like a small car park.
We take the route on the right (7 Stanes) up towards the Buzzards Nest car park. Where they are doing development in the forest you may find that some routes are closed temporarily – but there is usually good signing for alternative routes that you can take.
As you approach the top, follow signs for Black Tower Walk and Buzzards Nest, once you reach this area where the car park is, follow the signs that bring you onto the main forest access road, follow this all the way down to Glentress Hub.
There is a cafe, pub/hotel, picnic area, information area, showers and toilets so a good pit stop.
At the start of the last 2-3 miles we cross the A72 (Very busy and fast road, be careful) you could catch the bus here back to Peebles if you don’t want to walk back.
There’s a lane that’s sign posted that takes you down to the River Tweed, on your left is the ruins of Horsburgh Castle/Tower dating back to circa 1200.
As you reach the T junction head right that takes you back to Janet’s Brae and Peebles Hydro. There are sitting benches dotted along the path, take time to sit and take in the views.
I finished my walk in Peebles Hydro Hotel and had a well deserved steak pie lunch with a cold pint of beer or 2.
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