Kirk Yetholm and the Pennine Way

The Pennine Way completes its journey north at Kirk Yetholm, a pretty village just over the Scottish border. The last few miles of the Pennine Way offers a choice for the weary walker, a high level finish or a valley one. I combined them on this very pleasant circular from Kirk Yetholm.

The Walk

I have never visited Kirk Yetholm until I did this walk. However the place has intrigued me for decades as the conclusion of the Pennine Way. Interestingly the original route finished in Wooler (keeping it all very English) but Kirk Yetholm and the Borders Pub is a much better choice. Kirk Yetholm is also the start of the Scottis National Trail, concluding 470 miles later at Cape Wrath a midway point on St Cuthbert’s Way. It could be a metropolis but nobody aside from long distance walkers visits the place and it is so much the better for it. A wee attractive village.

My aim on this walk was to link the Higher and Lower routes which conclude the Pennine Way. The walker (once he has climbed the Schil) will, I suspect, take the lower valley walk. However the upper one is much more enjoyable. A rolling path which sticks to the English/Scottish Border with wonderful views west across the plains of Scotland and east to the rolling fells of the Cheviots. My only warning is I did the walk in very dry conditions, it may be less pleasant after rains but I suspect it would be ok.

The walk data excludes the final climb to the Schil which is optional. There and back is an extra 2 miles return and 120m of climbing.

Recommend

I parked in Kirk Yetholm but that was probably a mistake. There is plenty of parking 3/4 a mile east along the road at Halter Burn, just past the cattle grid. Parking here saves a steep tarmac climb both at the start and the end of the walk.

Navigation Tips at Kirk Yetholm

Scotland does not have the restrictions on walking that England does. All land is accessible which is great and more flexible and fun to plan a walk.

This does not mean climbing over fences, upsetting farm animals or land owners and I suspect there is better relations as a result.