St Cuthbert's Way

St Cuthbert's Way

A self-guided walking holiday celebrating the many historic sites associated with St Cuthbert.

5 to 8 nights
64-69 miles
Moderate to Demanding

From £620 per person

Find your holiday

About the trail

St Cuthbert's Way follows the story of a 7th century saint who travelled through Scotland and northern England, spreading the Gospel and performing healing miracles. Beginning at Melrose, where the saint started his ministry, and ending at Holy Island, where he ended his days, the trail passes through scenery of great variety and beauty.

The walk takes in heather-clad hills, tranquil riverbanks and old Roman roads, visiting attractive villages and border towns along the way. Particular sites of interest include the ruin of Dryburgh Abbey, Cessford Castle, St Cuthbert's Cave and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, complete with its ruined abbey and spectacular castle.

Both of our holiday options follow St Cuthbert's Way from end to end, but our mainland option returns to the shore for the final night's stay. If you would prefer to stay on Holy Island, select the Holy Island option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • This route includes dog friendly tour options St Cuthbert's Way - Mainland Option
  • This route includes dog friendly tour options St Cuthbert's Way - Holy Island Option

Dog friendly tours available

Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.

About this route

5 to 8 nights
64 miles
Moderate to Demanding
2nd January to 24th December
Includes Dog-Friendly Tours

From £641 per person

St Cuthbert's Way - Holy Island Option

This 62-mile holiday option takes in the complete St Cuthbert’s Way, staying in accommodation on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne at the end of the walk. This is a great opportunity to spend more time exploring this historical island and provides a spectacular finale for your walking holiday.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
CUTH0 From Melrose to Holy Island 5 nights, 4 days walking Demanding £641
CUTH1 From Melrose to Holy Island 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate / Demanding £772
CUTH2 From Melrose to Holy Island 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate / Demanding £893
CUTH3 From Melrose to Holy Island 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate £1019
"The Pilgrim's Route to the Island" by John Sands (2023) "The Pilgrim's Route to the Island" by John Sands (2023)
"On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023)
"On Wideopen Hill" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Wideopen Hill" by Jim Minot (2023)
"On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023) "On Holy Island" by Jim Minot (2023)
"Walking along the River Tweed" by Woodie Muirhead (2022) "Walking along the River Tweed" by Woodie Muirhead (2022)
"Lindisfarne Castle" by Judy Richonne (2022) "Lindisfarne Castle" by Judy Richonne (2022)
"Lindisfarne Priory" by Judy Richonne (2022) "Lindisfarne Priory" by Judy Richonne (2022)
"Boat Shed on Lindisfarne" by Tania Rideout (2020) "Boat Shed on Lindisfarne" by Tania Rideout (2020)
"Resting at the Halfway Point" by Tania Rideout (2020) "Resting at the Halfway Point" by Tania Rideout (2020)
Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler
Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) Wall Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"Viewpoint Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) "Viewpoint Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"Border Sign Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019) "Border Sign Between Kirk Yetholm and Wooler" by Anne Swindell (2019)
"On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019) "On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"From Harestanes to Morebattle" by Nicole Neal (2019) "From Harestanes to Morebattle" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019) "On the Holy Island" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"From Melrose to Harestanes" by Nicole Neal (2019) "From Melrose to Harestanes" by Nicole Neal (2019)
"Melrose Abbey" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "Melrose Abbey" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"St Cuthberts Cave" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "St Cuthberts Cave" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"River Tweed" by Desmond Maltby (2017) "River Tweed" by Desmond Maltby (2017)
"Preparing to Cross the Border" by Sheila Maltby (2017) "Preparing to Cross the Border" by Sheila Maltby (2017)
"From Kirk Yetholm to Wooler" by Paul Brown (2017) "From Kirk Yetholm to Wooler" by Paul Brown (2017)
"From Jedburgh to Kirk Yetholm" by Paul Brown (2017) "From Jedburgh to Kirk Yetholm" by Paul Brown (2017)
"Looking down from Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017) "Looking down from Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017)
"Atop Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017) "Atop Wideopen Hill" by Paul Brown (2017)

Customer reviews from the St Cuthbert's Way - Holy Island Option

“It was beautiful countryside, we had good weather and the places we stayed were very comfortable and friendly.”
Ms Hunt, UK
“We were lucky with the weather, and May was a great time to benefit from wild flowers in bloom and birdsong along the route. All the places we stayed were very welcoming of our dog and ourselves.”
Mrs Woods, UK
“Varied landscape easy to follow route with way markers. Crossing to Holy Island a highlight.”
Dr Mansfield, UK
“Excellent holiday - many thanks for making all the arrangements, including fixing the weather!”
Dr Rampton, UK
“We had a wonderful trip!! Loved every minute. I had been on three previous walking tours with Contours, but none of my three sisters had. This was new to them, but they had a great time and were very happy with the accommodations, the information provided, the transfers, and the luggage service.”
Ms Green, USA
“We really did enjoy this walk. The weather was reasonably kind to us, good walking conditions, great scenery and Contours did a great job as usual with the organisation and standard of accommodation. Well done as usual and thanks!!”
Mr Pattison, UK
“Very lucky with the weather given the unsettled forecast. Very well signposted for the whole of the walk. A lot more tarmac than we expected. The 2 days on the Cheviots were excellent as was the Eildon Hills.”
Mrs McDougall, UK
“Beautiful and varied scenery - from riverside and woodland walks, alongside and through fields, hills and moors, and of course across the sands to Lindisfarne. Walks about the right length for us. Inns good and baggage transfer flawless.”
Mr Minot, USA
“I am writing to thank you for making our recent walking holiday, St Cuthbert’s Way, so memorable. Each section of the walk was well planned, the accommodation reached high standards throughout the week, and we were thrilled to experience a competent baggage service and outstanding taxi service which were comfortable and the drivers information helpful. I will not hesitate to recommend your organisation to fellow walkers.”
Mrs Hallows, UK
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