Cardrona Forest and Cardrona Tower Trail

At a Glance

Distance

3.9 km (2.4 miles)

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

1 hr 30 min

Walk Type

Forest, Historic

Route Type

Circular

Off Lead Potential

High

Livestock Risk

None

Facilities

Toilets, picnic area and viewpoint at the car park.

Parking

Cardrona Forest car park, B7062 between Peebles and Innerleithen, Forestry and Land Scotland, pay and display.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Cardrona Forest and Cardrona Tower Trail dog friendly?

  Cardrona Forest scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it one of the better options in the Scottish Borders for a day out with your dog. The forest is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland and has no farm livestock, which means fewer of the usual restrictions you encounter on rural walks. Facilities at the car park include toilets, a picnic area, and accessible parking for Blue Badge holders, so it's a practical as well as enjoyable stop.

• Can dogs be off lead at Cardrona Forest and Cardrona Tower Trail?

  Yes — the absence of farm livestock means dogs can enjoy good off-lead freedom throughout the forest. The main waymarked route, Fergus's Trail, runs for 3.9km on wide gravel paths where there's plenty of room to roam. That said, it's worth keeping dogs closer on the forest roads on weekdays, when timber lorries may be active, and asking them to heel when passing horse riders, as horses also use the trails.

• What should I know before visiting Cardrona Forest and Cardrona Tower Trail with my dog?

  There's no water feature directly on Fergus's Trail, so it's worth packing water for your dog, especially on warmer days. On weekdays, timber lorries can be using the forest roads between the car park and any active felling sites, so keep your dog close in those areas. The car park is pay and display, and the forest sits on the B7062 between Peebles and Innerleithen — straightforward to find and easy to plan around.

Cardrona Forest car park, B7062, Peebles EH45 9HU

55.6348, -3.1262