Rating out of 5: 3.75
Source: Walkhighlands
Reasons:
Once you have overcome the hard and steep first bit of the route, walking alongside the street you will come to a calmer area which gives the route quite some charm. If you don’t want to walk the stretch throughout Hawick then you can park closer to the golf course which rids you off the street walking really, but with a pedestrian way next to it, it’s not that bad in the end, just exhausting.
Following the side of the golf course for quite a bit the route starts offering marvellous views over Hawick and much of the Scottish Borders before reaching a small road, which once more leads to road walking, quite a bit to be perfectly honest, the roads are not that busy though.
Following fence lines after leaving the track makes it easy to find your way back towards the start having been able to enjoy some lovely nature and marvellous views. I did really enjoy this walk although it rained a bit and due to that could get muddy underfoot (though I didn’t get soaked until the Heip Hill route). Considering all the aspects including the road walking and me not being a fan of it at all I will say that this route gets a solid 3.75 rating cause of the road walking taking up quite a bit of the distance.
