St Cuthbert’s Way: a walk worth travelling for

From the Scottish Borders to the shores of Holy Island, St Cuthbert’s Way brings together wide-open landscapes, centuries of history and a memorable finish. Now it has a place in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027, among 25 must-do experiences around the world.

It’s in remarkable company. The selection also includes India’s Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and France’s Route Napoléon. But the appeal of St Cuthbert’s Way is quieter: the chance to travel on foot through the places connected with a 7th-century saint, taking time to notice what lies along the way.

HF Holidays Field Advisor Tom Brownlee walked the trail with four friends, including artist Paul Janssens. They gave themselves five days to cover the 100 km route from Melrose to Lindisfarne, leaving time to explore its abbeys, villages and viewpoints.

“The journey begins in Melrose, where Cuthbert entered the monastery in 651. Before long, Tom and his companions were climbing towards the Eildon Hills. From the saddle between the hills, we looked north across the Tweed Valley and south towards the Cheviots: an early glimpse of how much the scenery would change beneath our feet.

History was never far from the path. At Dryburgh Abbey, we found a peaceful setting beside a bend in the River Tweed and the resting place of Sir Walter Scott. Further on, Jedburgh Abbey offered another reminder of the area’s long association with pilgrimage. Beyond the river valley, the route carried us through rolling Borders hills towards Kirk Yetholm.”

“Crossing the Cheviots brought our group from Scotland into England. On the way towards Wooler, we picked out traces of ancient hill forts and cultivation terraces in the landscape. Later came St Cuthbert’s Cave, a great rock shelter associated with the monks who carried his body to safety after Viking attacks on Lindisfarne. From nearby Greensheen Hill, the Northumberland coast and Holy Island came into view.”

“For me, the stories of Cuthbert and the natural world are part of the walk’s appeal. So was the pleasure of sharing the route with friends, with enough time to pause, look around and take it all in.”

“The final approach to Lindisfarne gave us a moment to remember. After checking the tide timetable, we removed our footwear and followed the pilgrim poles across the mudflats on foot. Generations of travellers have made their way to Holy Island before us and reaching it after five days’ walking gave it a real sense of history.

“It’s easy to see why St Cuthbert’s Way has caught Lonely Planet’s attention. The route offers more than a destination: each day adds another landscape, another story and another reason to keep walking.” 

Our guided trail follows the route from Melrose to Lindisfarne, with an experienced HF Holidays Leader to guide the walks and all accommodation, meals and luggage transfers arranged where necessary.