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Grassy cliffs curve along a rocky coastline above a calm sea, sheep grazing on the slopes.
Scottish Borders

Berwickshire Coastal Path

Thirty miles of cliffs, coves and fishing villages from Cockburnspath to Berwick-upon-Tweed, one of Scotland's Great Trails.

Welcome

The Berwickshire Coastal Path follows thirty miles of one of the finest coastlines in Britain, from the village of Cockburnspath down to Berwick-upon-Tweed, just over the border in England.

It is one of Scotland's Great Trails, and most walkers take two to four days over it, though any stretch makes a fine day out.

The path runs along high cliffs, past sea arches and stacks, old forts and ruined castles, with sandy bays tucked in between. It rounds St Abb's Head, a National Nature Reserve famous for its seabirds, and passes through the fishing villages of St Abbs and Eyemouth and the sands of Coldingham Bay.

The climbing adds up, so it is harder than its length suggests, and the cliff edges are unfenced. Waymarking is good, and at Cockburnspath the path meets the Southern Upland Way.

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Before you go

A public path, open at all times.

Take care near the unfenced cliff edges.

Length
30 miles (48km).
From
Cockburnspath to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Time
Two to four days, or a stretch at a time.

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Did you know

A lighthouse with a black and yellow lantern room stands at the tip of a grassy clifftop, whitewashed walls lining the path below.
Did you know

A hundred metres high.

At Fancove Head the cliffs along the path rise 103 metres above the sea.

A row of pastel-coloured beach huts lines a path above a sandy beach, a headland and open sea visible beyond.
Did you know

Where two trails meet.

The path begins at Cockburnspath, where the Southern Upland Way reaches the east coast after crossing the whole of Scotland.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to The Borders

This superb 30-mile hiking path worms its way along the clifftops of the Berwickshire coast, passing castles, sea stacks, nature reserves and fishing villages. And just as enticingly for serious walkers, the northern end of the trail links directly to the famous coast-to-coast route of the Southern Upland Way.

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Where it is

The path begins at Cockburnspath, where the Southern Upland Way ends, and finishes at Berwick-upon-Tweed. St Abbs, Coldingham and Eyemouth sit along the way.

Close byThe Berwickshire coast.
  1. A green headland and dark sea cliffs curving away above a rocky shore by Siccar Point under a pale blue sky.Siccar Point3 miles 8 min by road
  2. Low sun through the café's sash windows and glazed garden door, wooden chairs at the tables and green fields outside.The Woodlands CaféA weekend café at Abbey St Bathans in the valley of the Whiteadder Water, for brunch, lunch and home baking on the Southern Upland Way.8 miles 28 min by road
  3. Dunbar Golf CourseDunbar Golf Course8 miles 12 min by road
  4. Coldingham BayColdingham BayA sandy bay with beach huts.10 miles 14 min by road
  5. St Abb’s Head National Nature ReserveSt Abb’s Head National Nature ReserveSeabird cliffs and a lighthouse.11 miles 16 min by road
  6. Eyemouth HarbourEyemouth HarbourThe busy fishing harbour.16 miles 21 min by road
Directions
A landscape view of the Blue Cabin at the foot of the brae, lamps lit by its red door and boats drawn up on the grass.CockburnspathBlue Cabin by the SeaSleeps 4 · 1.4 miles
Railed path leads from grassy clifftop down to a rocky shorelineAttractionsDunbar High Street8.5 miles
Dunbar High Street under a blue sky, the white Town House with its tower and spire among the old buildings.AttractionsDunbar Town House Museum & Gallery8.5 miles
John Muir's Birthplace on Dunbar High Street, a white-harled house with flowers by the open door.AttractionsJohn Muir's Birthplace8.6 miles
Fishing boats moor beneath Dunbar Castle's red sandstone ruins on the harbourAttractionsThe Creel Loaders8.6 miles
The Creel Restaurant lit up on a wet street corner at nightRestaurantsThe Creel, Dunbar8.7 miles
Aerial view of North Berwick's twin harbours, rooftops and coastline stretching inlandAttractionsDunbar Battery8.7 miles
The ruins of a red sandstone tower and harbour walls stand on a rocky promontory, small boats sheltering in the water beside them.AttractionsDunbar Castle8.7 miles
Metal footbridge crosses a tidal creek on a wide sandy beachAttractionsBelhaven Bridge9.8 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the path, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of the Blue Cabin at the foot of the brae, lamps lit by its red door and boats drawn up on the grass.Blue Cabin by the Sea
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Cockburnspath
  • Under a mile from the Berwickshire Coastal Path
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Scottish BordersAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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Read on

What we have written about it and more in the Scottish Borders.

ArticleTouring the southern Coast of ScotlandArticleThe 20 Best Long Distance Walks in ScotlandArticleWhere to Stay in the Scottish Borders
More in the Scottish Borders
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .