The Eildon Hills may not be the highest hills in the Scottish Borders, but make no mistake: they are steep. Very steep. There are several tough climbs throughout this walk, although it is made slightly easier by the excellent paths and tracks that criss-cross this wonderful little range. However, any exertion is richly rewarded, as the vistas from each of the Eildon’s three summits are truly exceptional, spanning much of the region and beyond to the Lake District. The Romans named the Eildons Trimontium, literally translating as ‘the Three Mountains’, and set up a signal station on North Hill. However, the Eildon Hills were utilised by locals as a place of refuge long before the Romans set up camp, so its astonishing panorama has been witnessed and enjoyed for many millennia.
[1] From Market Square (NT558340), walk down Abbey Road, then turn right into Priorswalk beside Melrose Abbey. Follow this lane through a park and – once over a footbridge – bear left, following a Borders Abbey Way sign. Continue to reach a pavement and follow this (still Priorswalk). When it swings right, turn left onto a waymarked path. Go through a gate onto a grassy path and continue for half a mile to reach Newstead (NT569342).
[2] Turn left through a gate onto Dean Road then right onto a waymarked path, which climbs gradually through woodland to a junction. Turn right, go under a railway bridge, through a gate and then underneath the A6091. The path then swings right and climbs to the A6091. Turn left to reach two metal gates. Take the left gate onto a hedgerow-lined track, which climbs gradually to a minor road (NT564337).
[3] Turn right, descend the road for a few metres, then turn left onto a waymarked path. Follow this through woodland to a gate. Go through the gate, bear left and ascend the path onto Eildon Hill North’s lower slopes. The path rises very steeply southwest over open hillside for around 200m, the gradient only relenting as the summit is approached. The final few metres climb gently to attain Eildon Hill North’s summit (NT555328). The views, particularly of Mid and Wester Hill, are extraordinary.
[4] Take the right of three paths, which drops southwest to a fork. Bear right and follow the track towards Mid Hill, bearing right onto another track then left at a fork. At the next track go left then right at a St Cuthbert’s Way sign onto a narrow path (NT551325). Follow this southwest around Mid Hill to a col in-between Mid and Wester Hill. Cross a track beside a Melrose Paths post then swing right onto the next track. This climbs to the top of Wester Hill, where further extensive views await (NT548316).
[5] Retrace your steps back down to the crossroads beside the Melrose Paths marker (NT549320). Turn left and follow the track towards Little Hill, passing a marker post and bearing right at the next two forks. At the next marker, turn right onto a path (NT545320) that climbs steeply to gain the summit of Mid Hill (NT548323).
This is the highest point of the Eildons with a panorama that extends for miles.
[6] Continue by the trig point, with the path swinging left and then zigzagging steeply down to a col in-between North and Mid Hill. Go straight on at a crossroads then turn left onto the St Cuthbert’s Way (NT551325). The path descends gradually around North Hill, eventually descending a flight of wooden steps to a gate (NT551333). Go through it and follow a fenced track down through two more gates onto another fenced path, which descends to a stile. Cross the stile, walk down a long flight of wooden steps and go over a footbridge. A flight of steps takes you to Dingleton Road. Turn right at the top and walk down the pavement back to Market Square.