St Oswald's Way and St Cuthbert's Way

This guidebook describes two long-distance trails through Northumberland and the Borders. St Oswald's Way runs 97 miles from Heavenfield near Hadrian's Wall. St Cuthbert's Way is 62 miles from Melrose. Both routes pass through Northumberland National Park and follow part of the Northumberland Coast Path to meet at Holy Island.


Seasons
Spring, summer and autumn; late autumn for birdlife; expect snow on higher ground in winter

Centres
Holy Island (Lindisfarne), Bamburgh, Craster, Cresswell, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Rothbury, Heavenfield, Melrose, Wooler

Difficulty
No special difficulties to encounter on the routes in this guide, though a reasonable level of fitness is assumed. Some of the stages as described are fairly long, though they can be broken down into shorter sections. Crossing to Holy Island must be timed to coincide with low tide

Must See
Holy Island, Lindisfarne Priory and Castle, Northumberland Coast AONB, Northumberland National Park, Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, Bamburgh Castle, Cheswick Sands, Melrose Abbey, Rothbury, Simonside Hills, Coquetdale, Hadrian's Wall, Cheviot Hills, Farne Islands, Dunstanburgh Castle, St Cuthbert's Cave, Druridge Bay, Yeavering Bell