Newcastleton
Enjoy the thrills of Newcastleton
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.
Our Newcastleton Forest Map and Trail Guide (PDF 1.3MB) will help you plan your trip.
Life’s essentials
You can find public toilets and free showers, as well as several places to eat, drink and shop in Newcastleton.
Walking trails
Our Newcastleton Forest Map and Trail Guide (PDF 1.3MB) will help you explore all the local trails. Please Note: The Cross Border Route shown on the Forests of Newcastleton Map has a diversion in place for urgent tree felling works to slow the spread of P.Ramorum disease in larch trees until the end of November.
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
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 1½ hours
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.
2 ½ miles / 4.0 km Allow 1½ hours
Priest Hill 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.
3 miles / 4.7 km Allow 2 hours
Mountain biking trails
Newcastleton is one of the the internationally-renowned 7stanes mountain biking trail centres.
The Newcastleton 7stanes map (PDF 607KB) shows the trails.
Trail update (16 November): The Red MTB Route is open with diversions. Hidden Valley Upper post 23 to 25 is closed for repair work following urgent tree felling work, a diversion is in place from post 22. There is also a short diversion from post 36 to 37. Both are due to reopen early 2019. The Blue MTB route will stay open as normal.
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
Blue: Moderate -
6.1 miles / 9.7 km Red Route (diverted)
The Red MTB Route is open with diversions. Hidden Valley Upper post 23 to 25 is closed for repair work following urgent tree felling work, a diversion is in place from post 22. There is also a short diversion from post 36 to 37. Both are due to reopen early 2019.
Red: Difficult -
14.6 miles / 23.4 km
Feel the power of this fast and furious route.
More information...How to get 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. You’ll reach Priesthill car park at grid reference NY 505 881.
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.
Nearby places
Kielder Water & Forest Park
Newcastleton is just a few miles from the England/Scotland border, where you can find Kielder Forest. Explore the forest and reservoir to discover great trails, amazing mountain biking, boat trips, an observatory and a remarkable array of art installations. Start your visit at Kielder Castle, one of three visitor centres on site.
Wauchope
Alternatively, stay in Scotland and discover tranquil Wauchope, just a few miles north-east of Newcastleton. There are stunning views of the border and Cheviot Hills and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife along its trails.
Liddesdale Heritage Centre, Newcastleton
Find out more about the history of the area at the Heritage Centre and see the beautifully carved arrowhead that was found in Newcastleton Forest.
Share your experience
For questions and complaints, please contact us directly.
