Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
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View Package PricesSaturday17 July 2027Sunday1 August 2027
Overview
The Southern Upland Way is a 344-kilometre (214-mile) coast-to-coast trail stretching across southern Scotland, from Portpatrick on the west coast to Cockburnspath on the east. It’s the longest of Scotland’s Great Trails and was the UK’s first officially recognised coast-to-coast route when it opened in 1984.
The path traverses the Southern Uplands, offering a mix of remote moorland, rolling hills, and forested valleys. The route is known for its solitude and challenge – often considered the most demanding of Scotland’s Great Trails – but also one of the most rewarding.
Highlights of the Southern Upland Way
- Starting on Portpatrick’s rugged coastline.
- Walking through Galloway Forest Park – a dark sky space.
- Passing through Wanlockhead – Scotland’s highest village.
- St Mary’s Loch
- Walking over Minch Moor high above the Tweed Valley
- Visiting historic towns and villages such as Melrose.
- The challenge of walking coast to coast across Scotland!
Itinerary
Each day, you will be guided along the Southern Upland Way and taken to your accommodation. We will be with you from the moment you set off in the morning to the moment you arrive at your accommodation in the evening.
You will only need to carry your day bag, with essentials to keep you warm, dry, fed, and hydrated for the day. Your main luggage will be transported to your next accommodation for you.
Everything will be taken care of so that you can just enjoy the walking!
Today is the day we will all make our way to Portpatrick to begin our Southern Upland Way adventure. In the evening you will get a chance to meet the rest of your group, as well as your guides, for a welcome evening and briefing. This will be in a local pub/restaurant where you will have the option of an evening meal.
Accommodation in Portpatrick
The route starts with a dramatic coastal section before heading inland for Stranraer and Castle Kennedy. We will continue a little further into the countryside beyond Castle Kennedy.
Distance: 16.5 miles (26.5 km)
Total ascent: 590m
Time: 8-9 hours
On the second day we will ratchet up the mileage a little through a mix of farmland, woodland and forestry. We will take in the viewpoint of Craig Airie Fell before descending to the road for a pick-up north of Newton Stewart.
Distance: 19 miles (30.5 km)
Total ascent: 490m
Time: 8.5-9.5 hours
We will return to the trail and make for Glen Trool with more enticing views from Hill of Ochiltree and some boggy going. We will then pick-up pleasant natural woodland trails into Glen Trool. After the loch there is a climb on good tracks, which continue to our day’s end at Craigencallie House.
Distance: 20 miles (32 km)
Total ascent: 630m
Time: 9-10 hours
After three big days we have a gentler prospect on day 4. We will pass Clatteringshaws Loch and then climb over Shield Rig. A short section of road brings to our final climb of the day over Waterside Hill. From here we will see our finish in St John’s Town of Dalry.
Distance: 13 miles (21 km)
Total ascent: 630m
Time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation in Dalry
Our fifth day on the trail sends us northwards over grazing and past ancient settlements. It is a hilly day that then takes us to nearly 600m on Benbrack and past an interesting sculpture. We will finish a tough day with a short section of road to Polgowan.
Distance: 20 miles (32 km)
Total ascent: 970m
Time: 10-11 hours
Accommodation in Thornhill/Sanquhar
Today we head for Wanlockhead, Scotland’s highest village. So, as you would imagine we will be going uphill! The route takes us through the small town of Sanquhar, past more evidence of historical settlements and onto Cogshead. A steady climb and a steeper descent takes to the Wanlock Water, which leads us into the village past the remnants of the mining that the village was built around.
Distance: 14.5 miles (23.5 km)
Total ascent: 840m
Time: 7.5-8.5 hours
Accommodation in Leadhills
This will possibly be the toughest day on the trail. We traverse the Lowther Hills at over 700m, on at times very boggy hill paths. After dropping to the road, we continue past Daer Reservoir and then climb again to higher ground. The forestry past Brattleburn can be stark and we will push on to finish where we meet the road.
Distance: 17.5 miles (28.5 km)
Total ascent: 1060m
Time: 10-11 hours
Accommodation in Moffat
Today is essentially a rest day. We take a low-level walk on minor roads and riverside paths to take a few miles of what is a big day to follow.
Distance: 5 miles (7.75 km)
Total ascent: 100m
Time: 2 hours
Accommodation in Moffat
Today we cross the watershed to the Ettrick, which runs east to meet the Tweed and eventually the North Sea on the east coast. We start a contender for toughest day with a hill walk as we go over Croft Head to then descend very steeply. We pass Ettrick Head and pickup forestry tracks to Over Phawhope bothy and then the final kilometre to the road at Potburn. We follow the metalled road for 8km before it’s over the hill to St Mary’s Loch.
Distance: 18.5 miles (29.5 km)
Total ascent: 1060m
Time: 9.5-10.5 hours
Accommodation in Innerleithen
A lovely section on the wooded bank of the loch starts our tenth day on the trail. This day will feel more gentle starting past Dryhope Tower. Quiet moorland and forestry combine to open up views over the Tweed Valley. The day finishes in Traquair after a short section of road.
Distance: 12 miles (19.5 km)
Total ascent: 460m
Time: 5.5-6 hours
Accommodation in Innerleithen
We begin today with a long steady climb onto the Minch Moor and the old drove road. We keep to the high ground to pass the Three Brethren, before dropping down to meet the Tweed at Fairnilee. An up-and-over follows through farmland to Galashiels. The route then winds its way along the Tweed to Melrose.
Distance: 18.5 miles (29.5 km)
Total ascent: 890m
Time: 9-10 hours
Accommodation in Melrose
On the twelfth day we head north to Lauder on good tracks through fields and moor. A shorter day before two longer ones to finish.
Distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Total ascent: 360m
Time: 4.5-5.5 hours
Accommodation in Melrose/Lauder
The penultimate day crosses the southern end of the Lammermuirs. The Twinlaw Cairns make for a significant landmark before the route winds its way down into Longformacus.
Distance: 15.5 miles (24.5 km)
Total ascent: 600m
Time: 7.5-8.5 hours
Accommodation in Duns/Gifford
The final day is here, and we head for the coast. There is more farmland and woodland first before a fine cliff top finish past picturesque Cove Harbour. Our coast-to-coast trek concludes in Cockburnspath at the mercat cross.
Distance: 18 miles (30 km)
Total ascent: 620m
Time: 8.5-9.5 hours
Accommodation in Dunbar
Having crossed Scotland from West to East today we will say our farewells and head home for a well earned rest!
What's Included?
The cost includes
- Accommodation for 15 nights (breakfast included)
- 14 days guided walking
- Qualified UK Mountain Leader as your guide
- Luggage transfers
- Support vehicle
- Full Information Pack
- Training advice
- Maximum group size of 7
Not included in our packages
- Lunches, snacks and dinners
- Arrival and departure transport
Accommodation Options
Bed & Breakfast, Inns and Hotels
We will make use of a mix of accommodation along the route – choice is limited in places. Please note you will usually be in a shared twin room with another member of the group (of the same sex).
Breakfasts are included at each accommodation, but will be a mix of cooked and continental/self-service breakfasts. You accommodation will be within walking distance to local pubs and shops so you will have opportunity to eat out in the evenings.
Please do note that there is limited choice of accommodation in some places along the route and we may need to drive to find it. As a result the standard of accommodation will vary. However, you will always have a comfortable place to rest each night.
FAQs
This trek is graded 5/5 on our trekking scale.
This is the grading reserved for our most challenging treks, and only recommended for the experienced and fit walker. A trek of this grade will be hilly/mountainous, consistently cover long distances over pathless rough terrain. Routes of this grade will include committing days through very remote areas.
This is as tough as it gets in UK long-distance walking. Days can be long, include significant height gain, and the Southern Upland Way is famed for hilly days and potential for boggy conditions underfoot.
To help you decide if this trip is right for you, please also refer to the itinerary, which includes daily distances, ascent, and detailed descriptions of the terrain.
You can read more about our grading system in our Trip Difficulty Guide.
Please note: all long-distance walking is challenging, particularly if you are not used to walking/exercising on consecutive days. What makes a trek challenging is personal and depends on your fitness, strengths, and preferences.
This long-distance trek is a big challenge. The terrain is in parts hilly, boggy and rough, and by the nature of the route there is plenty of uphill (and downhill) required to negotiate the Southern Uplands.
In covering this coast to coast route you can expect to be walking in woodland/forest, moorland and farmland, and a little bit coast at either end. There is plenty history to be found along the trail as well as solitude; due to the remoteness and challenge it is not a busy trail.
Fourteen consecutive days of walking will test your fitness, and you can expect to have to push through fatigue at times. It is not a route for the first time long-distance walker, unless you have high level of fitness gained from other sports/activities.
We have broken the route into what we feel are tough but manageable days, with some shorter/easier days in the middle. Only 3 days exceed 30km/18.6 miles, but there is some significant height gain to pay attention to and numerous 15-18 mile days.
If you are unsure whether this challenge is suitable for you, please get in touch to discuss this. We love talking all about the trails. And, if you think you’re fit enough (or can train to get to that point) then we would be delighted to help you take on this challenging adventure!
Portpatrick is accessible via bus or train from Glasgow and a pick-up in Stranraer will be available on the arrival afternoon/evening. From the East the 500 bus service from Dumfries with be the last leg of a public transport journey.
We strongly advise arriving by public transport because you will be a long way from your car by the time you complete the trek! If driving is your only option please get in touch to discuss the best travel plan.
We will pass through many small villages and towns on this route and facilities will vary from a small village shop to all the usual amenities of a town. One of our Trek Managers will be on hand to make sure you know what is available each day and we will ensure you won’t go hungry.
You will have a half-day in Moffat, one of the larger towns on the trail, where there are laundry facilities should you need to wash a few socks!
You will be provided with a full kit list, but as a guide the basics you will need are:
A small rucksack (around 25 litres), walking boots, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket, hat, gloves, a spare warm layer and walking trousers (not jeans or denim), a water bottle, sun and midge protection.
With Thistle Trekking you get a personal service. We are happy to answer any questions and queries and help where we can with all aspects of your trip.
Your point of contact will be the same person from the first enquiry to the final communication before your Southern Upland Way trek.
Our guides are all qualified, experienced, and fun companions on the trail.
Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
-
View Package PricesSaturday17 July 2027Sunday1 August 2027
