The Southern Upland Way is Britain’s first official coast to coast long distance footpath. It runs 214 miles (344 km) from Portpatrick on the south-west coast of Scotland to Cockburnspath on the eastern seaboard. It offers superb and varied walking country, still undiscovered by many enthusiasts.
The Way provides a real challenge for the experienced walker, yet some of the shorter stretches are suitable for families and the less ambitious. The Southern Uplands have been heavily sculpted and rounded by the effects of glaciations to leave a series of gently rolling hills with occasional rocky outcrops. There are no summits above 3000ft (914m), but over 80 rise above 2000ft (610m), offering some fine hill walking. It is one of Scotland’s Great Trails and is considered to be one of the UK’s most challenging.
