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Romans and Reivers Route

52.20 miles (84 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This long distance route follows the old Roman Roads from the Ae Forest to Hawick. Though classed as a walking route much of the trail is also suitable for cyclists with mile of forestry trails to enjoy.
It runs for just over 50 miles, passing through some lovely Dumfries and Galloway countryside before arriving in the Scottish Borders at Hawick.
The route starts at the car park at the southern end of the expansive Ae Forest. Head north along the woodland trails to Beattock Hill before crossing Moffat Water south of Moffat. Here the route links up with the Annandale Way which takes you to the Solway Coast through the valley of the River Annan.
You then head east through forestry along a section of the Southern Upland Way. You'll pass along the pretty streams and burns of the Eskdalemuir Forest before heading through the adjacent Craik Forest.
After emerging from the forest you continue east to Roberton before finishing at Wiltonburn Hill, just outside Hawick.

Romans and Reivers Route OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Romans and Reivers Route Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head east from Hawick to visit nearby Jedburgh and explore the 12th century abbey ruins and enjoy a stroll alond the Jed Water river.
The Cross Borders Drove Road starts/ends in Hawick. It runs north to West Linton, Peebles and Traquair before finishing near Harperrig Reservoir in the Pentland Hills. The Borders Abbeys Way can also be linked with here.
For cyclists the new Kirkpatrick C2C also passes through Hawick. The epic Coast to Coast route runs across the south of Scotland from Stranraer to Eyemouth.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Cycle path, Ae - geograph.org.uk - 3232691

Cycle path, Ae

Beattock Hill - geograph.org.uk - 546028

Beattock Hill

Moffat Water - geograph.org.uk - 329878

Moffat Water

Garwald Water - geograph.org.uk - 112936

Garwald water and Ashybank

Cycle path, Craik. - geograph.org.uk - 104714

Cycle path, Craik. Cycle paths leave a forest road below Crib Law. The tracks have been recently upgraded, but appear to be little used. They are not too technical, but still quite good fun, especially the grassy paths below this junction that give a sweeping descent to Craik village.

Exit Craik Forest - geograph.org.uk - 549072

Exit Craik Forest. Another load of Craik timber leaves down the Borthwick Water.

Track in the Eskdalemuir Forest - geograph.org.uk - 518370

Track in the Eskdalemuir Forest

Wiltonburn Hill - geograph.org.uk - 343737

Wiltonburn Hill. The trig point on the summit is just out of view. The northeast end of Wiltonburn Covert is on the left.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Romans and Reivers Route.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)