Time on Feet

Route details

There is a decent size car park in Cardrona forest, with a charge, but this does have the benefit of a toilet block. Cardrona is arguable the nicest of the 7 forests in the Tweed Valley Forest park and is popular with walkers and horse riders. There is a nice mix of woodland and the balance of native vs commercial forest is much better than many Borders woodlands meaning it is generally protected from the eye-sores that necessary felling comes with.

This route takes in most of the forest through a hill and winding loop, though there are plenty of options for shortening the route, or for exploring the other way-marked trails on offer in between the forestry tracks we are running on. A long climb quickly gets the heart rate up, though the gradient is forgiving at first and gradually ramps up. Around 2 miles in the route does has a couple of U turns which get us out onto the hill trails rather than the forestry roads. This section breaks about above the forest and offers brilliant views over to Minch Moor and Innerleithen before a fast and flowy descent back on the forestry tracks. This stretch is one of my favourite in the valley, with characterful and majestic Scots Pines lining the quiet smooth track.

At 4.5 miles swing right, through if wishing to shortern carry straight on and drop back down to the car park. The main route takes an alternative descent past some designated viewpoints that gaze out over the Tweed and Peebles, before swinging back uphill for another long climb, about half as long as the first. Before climbing one could drop down the zig-zags back to the car park on a trail that will make you feel like a seasoned mountain runner without any of the risk or dangers.

If doing the full loop, climb steeply for around a mile before rejoining the outward round and enjoying a gradual descent back to the car.