Plan Your Trip

From travel links and riverside facilities to paddle guides and sleeping spots, here’s everything you need for a memorable adventure on the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail.

 

When to Paddle

Paddling on the River Tweed is best enjoyed between April and the end of September when water and air temperatures are at their warmest. Scotland’s weather can be somewhat unpredictable, so always check the forecast and river levels before your trip. Dress in layers and pack waterproof clothing to stay warm and dry, even when paddling in summer.

River levels that are too high or too low will undoubtedly impact on the paddling experience. Too high, and a gentle river can change into a fast flowing, dangerous body of water. Too low and you may have to carry boats along stretches of water to avoid scraping them along the riverbed and damaging the river’s ecology.

Fishing is a year round activity on the Tweed, with the exception of Sundays. Salmon spawning begins in late September – with peak salmon fishing season in October and November – and trout fishing is also prevalent throughout the year. To ensure minimum disruption to fish, and cooperation between all river users, please read our Safety and Paddlers’ Code page before accessing the water.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Everyone has the right to be on most land and inland water in Scotland providing they behave responsibly. Access rights and responsibilities are explained fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code – the three key principles of which are:

• take responsibility for your own actions

• respect the interests of other people

• care for the environment

If coming to paddle some or all of the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail, please adhere to the spirit of the code at all times for the sake of yourselves and all river users.

Getting here

Close enough to reach without difficulty, but still managing to feel miles from it all, the Tweed Valley is well served by road, rail, and air.

Once in the valley, Borders Buses operate regular services to various get-in/get-out points along the canoe trail. The 91 bus service (Peebles to Biggar) will get paddlers from Peebles to Stobo Kirk, close to the start of the canoe trail. Follow signs for the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail on the wooden waymarker at the bus stop.

The X62 service (Edinburgh to Galashiels) connects the towns and villages between Peebles and Galashiels, including Cardrona, Innerleithen and Walkerburn. For onward travel from the end of the canoe trail, the local 74 bus service (Galashiels to Balmoral) stops at Heriot Watt car park, a five-minute-walk away. Once at Galashiels Transport Interchange, there are onward connections by train and bus to Edinburgh, Tweedbank and the wider Tweed Valley (bus only).

Car parking

Dedicated parking for a small number of vehicles is available at the start of the canoe trail at Easter Dawyck Estate, Stobo (what3words: listings.arranger.whistling). Please note this is a working farm so please park responsibly at all times. Follow signs on arrival for shared parking for paddlers and walkers on the John Buchan Way.

Public parking is also available at the following locations:

  1. Kingsmeadows, Peebles

  2. Woodend, Cardrona

  3. Toll Wood, Innerleithen

  4. Glenkinnon, nr Ashiestiel Bridge

  5. Galafoot Bridge, nr Tweedbank

Paddle guides and hire

A qualified guide can make the world of difference when it comes to time on the water. If looking for someone to show you all the best lines on your journey along the Tweed, Craig at Biggar Adventure knows this stretch of river like the back of his hand. He offers bespoke day trips and overnight camping tours throughout the spring/summer season, guaranteeing a memorable journey at the helm of a traditional, Canadian canoe. Craig is also happy to offer a hire-only service for experienced paddlers.

In addition, Kayak & SUP Hire Scottish Borders offers sit-on-top kayaks for hire that are suitable for all ability levels. Audrey and the team can kit out paddlers for short taster sessions, half days and full days on sections of the canoe trail. All begin at Kingsmeadows car park in the centre of Peebles and finish at official get-out stops along the route. Book your Sunday hires online or contact the team directly for alternative dates.

Trail facilities

Whether paddling the entire trail or taking it section by section, careful consideration has been given to facilities both on and off the water.

Look out for Tweed Valley Canoe Trail wooden waymarkers along the length of the route that mark official get-in/get-out points for paddlers. Please access and egress the river responsibly and respectfully at these locations. Avoid dragging or sliding boats on the riverbanks. And be careful not to obstruct driveways, narrow roads or slipways.

Let’s talk toilets. Please note there are NO toilet facilities at Easter Dawyck Estate, the start of the canoe trail. If arriving by car or bus, you will find public facilities in Peebles and Innerleithen. Alternatively, grab a coffee at the fabulous Dawyck Botanic Garden, just a stone’s throw from the start of the trail (check opening times before you travel). Toilet facilities can also be found at cafes and eateries along the trail and at the Traquair fishing bothy. For a bothy key, please call the estate office in advance on 01896 830323 (office hours 8am-5pm, Mon to Fri).

Suggested rest stops are marked on the main trail map. Although one or two feature picnic benches or seating, formal infrastructure is limited. Depending on your journey, these rest stops are primarily designed to offer a place to pause for breath or enjoy the views. The rest stop in advance of Yair Bridge also offers the chance to eyeball Fairnilee rapids from the road bridge above – it’s worth taking a look and planning a safe route through on what is the most technically demanding section of the trail (see Section 6 on the Explore the Trail pages for further info.)

Canoe anchor points are positioned at Kingsmeadows car park, Toll Wood, and Glenkinnon slipway. Please bring a padlock and chain to secure your own boat.

There are five information panels at key get-in/get-out points along the route. As well as navigation aids, they serve to bring to life the River Tweed and the communities and landscapes through which it flows. Do take the time to have a read when you come across them.

And free trail maps can be picked up from the Go Tweed Valley Visitor Centre on Peebles High Street, as well as a variety of outdoor shops in Peebles, Innerleithen and at Glentress.

Camping and accomodation

Looking to camp along the way? Tweedside Caravan Park on the outskirts of Innerleithen is the only formal campsite on the route of the canoe trail. This family-run park close to the banks of the river is the perfect place to relax after a day on the water. Look for it river left just before the pedestrian bridge as you head out of Innerleithen towards Walkerburn. The site is accessed through a kissing gate and then a further gate 50m back along the Tweed Valley Railway Path. There is ample room for safe storage of boats.

In addition, wild camping is available in the field beside the Traquair fishing bothy (please call the estate office in advance on 01896 830323) and further downstream in Glenkinnon Community Woodland. For Glenkinnon, please exit at the waymarker (river right) 50m before the first house on the riverbank (if you reach the house and the outfall of the Glenkinnon Burn you’ve gone too far). Head up the slipway and follow the way marker along the B709 road for 100m. Note that there are NO facilities at Glenkinnon Community Woodland – paddlers should follow guidance in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for wild camping, including responsible toileting. Please also respect the natural environment and local community by leaving the site even tidier than you found it, placing all litter in the bins provided at the car park.

If looking for more luxury on your journey, the valley is well served by hotels and guesthouses, self-catering apartments, lodges and more. Two highlights include the Tontine Hotel in Peebles, a paddler-friendly coaching house with secure, overnight storage for up to 20 boats, and Traquair House B&B on the Traquair Estate itself. Both are ideally located just a short stroll from the river. (Please call in advance to book you and your boat in for the night.)

Refuelling & shops

With their enviable selection of independent shops, supermarkets, cafes and eateries, Peebles and Innerleithen are particularly convenient for paddlers looking to refuel and reprovision. Secure boats at the canoe anchor points at Kingsmeadows or Toll Wood car parks and take a short walk to either (or both) of these busy high streets.

Look out too for these characterful eateries at timely points along the route:

For more insider knowledge on places to eat, drink and shop in the valley, contact the Visitor Information Centre on Peebles High Street.

The Great Polish Map of Scotland, Barony Castle Hotel, Eddleston

Attractions & Tours

Away from the water, the Tweed Valley is peppered with historic houses, gorgeous gardens and cultural riches. Outdoor activities include some of the best mountain biking, hiking, trail running, horse riding and road cycling in the UK.

Once you’ve enjoyed your paddling adventure, why not stay a while longer and discover everything else this unique corner of Scotland has to offer? For a truly bespoke tour of the local area, we heartily recommend a day in the company of Tweed Valley Blogger – Stewart’s knowledge of this area is second to none.

A final word …

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information and advice contained on these pages is correct at the date of publication. However, it is always for you to assess whether paddling all (or a section) of the Tweed Valley Canoe Trail is within your capability. Please consider your personal level of health and fitness, competence and experience before taking to the water. No liability is accepted by Go Tweed Valley for any loss, injury or damage, arising out of, or in any way connected with, any person or persons undertaking or attempting to undertake any of the route described in our digital or physical materials.

Image credits: Tweed Valley Pods; Marc Marshall Photography; Barony Castle Hotel