For us, 2025 was a good year for exploring the network of "named" long distance paths here in Southern Scotland. From lengthy endeavours like the John Muir Way to shorter bimbles such as the Cross Borders Drove Road. We came across this route when finishing another "horse friendly" trail, the Romans and Reivers Route and thought it worth a try when we had some time - Summer 2025 was that time.
Harperrig Resevoir to Romanno Bridge
We will be riding the route as loops or out-n-backs. For the first leg we parked up at the school in the small hamlet of Romannobridge and followed back road tarmac to and through West Linton and on to Baddingsgill Farm. Here the tarmac expired and we climbed on good farm tracks for a while before veering off onto singletrack up to the Cauldstane Slap (what a great name).
We dropped down the Thieves Road into the boggy hinterland before veering off on a side path towards Harperrig Resevoir. A service road, then a tiny bit of dicey A70 got us to the official starting point of the CBDR at Little Vantage car park. The trail drops back down towards the Gala ford on singletrack path alongside (and sometimes on) a fallen dyke before crossing rough fields and climbing back up to the Slap. Being June the path was dry and good riding.
We now followed the route all the way back to West Linton for an ice cream and chat with a farmer about contracting and helping your neighbours. South of West Linton we followed tarmac before the route climbs steeply onto Broomlee Hill then drops through new wood being created on the hillside. And back to the van.
Romannobridge to Peebles
We parked again an Romannobridge before climbing away from the A701 on footpaths over and into Romanno Hope and across the Flemmington burn and into commercial forestry. A mix of forest tracks and footpaths delivered us to Upper Stewarton.
The route stays high (for ancient drover/cattle safety) as it heads south towards Peebles and we stopped for a sarnie on Hamilton Hill before the fast descent into the town and our turning point for today.
For the return we retraced the route back to the ford across the Flemmington Burn and then veered west and over Whiteside Hill towards Newlands Bridge then tarmac back to the van.
Peebles to Traquair
Made a loop for this leg starting from Peebles and following the cycle/footpath through Cardrona and on to Innerleithen. Past the Inners trailhead and sneaked through the grounds of Traquair House to the village where we picked up the Drovers Road once more. Some tarmac up towards Glen House estate before starting a meaty climb up towards the edge of Cardrona Forest.
We now followed some familiar riding along Kirkhope Law, Kailzie Hill and onto the Gypsy Glen loop descent back into town.
Yarrowford to Middlestead
Having ridden the Traquair to Minch Moor route previously on our Southern Upland Way ride we skipped that section. Loop 4 started with the van at the walkers car park at Yarrowford and following the well made footpaths created by the estate that got us up high to the Four Lords Lands copse.
Along the ridge to meet the CBDR at the Minchmoor Road and then an absolutely cracking descent that many must be familiar with back down to Yarrowford.
But we were not done yet for the day as we continued the CBDR out through the Bowhill Estate to the where the route meets the Borders Abbeys Way (another loop we had completed this year). About turn and back to the van.
Ashkirk to Hawick
Having ridden the Borders Abbeys Way we felt no need to ride again the stretch of this route between Oakwood Mill (Howden) and Ashkirk and so we parked up in Ashkirk for the final ride. As we left the Ale Water we were on familiar trails as the CBDR and Borders Abbeys Way travel together.
Just under Drinkstone Hill we hung a right heading west past forestry clearing before a sharp turn south again on well made drove road and then tarmac to Hawick. The return climbed out of Hawick and back to the van using the Borders Abbeys Way route for variation.
Another enjoyable ride across our "local" Scottish landscape pushing us into corners of familiar territory that we had managed to bypass or ignore in all our trips to the area.
Cheers
Vincent and Jill
Love it!! Thank you for the inspiration!
Brilliant. I once rode from home in Balerno to Glentress, did a lap, then rode back home, so much of this is familiar. It's nice to see the old places again.
bookmarking this thread thanks op