Explore the Cheese Well
Location: Scottish Borders, Scotland
This 16km loop is a run of two completely different halves. Starting from Walkerburn and running clockwise, the first section is a single, sustained climb of over 350 metres. You’ll be working your way up mainly on forest tracks which eventually open out as you join the Cross Borders Drove Road. Trail shoes are the sensible choice here; the surface is mixed and the unpaved sections can get greasy in the wet, though the tracks are generally solid underfoot.
After passing the old spring at Cheese Well, the route tips downwards. The descent into Innerleithen is long and steady, giving you a good chance to open up your stride and get some speed back in your legs. It’s a fast section on good paths that rewards the effort you put into the climb. The elevation profile tells the story: one big up, one big down.
The final part of the route connects Innerleithen back to Walkerburn along a flat riverside path. This section is completely different in character from the exposed hilltops. It’s an easy, level finish to the run, allowing for a steady spin of the legs after the main hill work is done. Because it’s a full loop, you can start at any point, but the Walkerburn-clockwise direction gives you the classic 'climb first, fast finish' structure.