St Cuthbert’s Way Long Distance Walk approx 62 miles
The route starts at the birth place of St. Cuthbert… Melrose in the Scottish Borders and ends at Holy Island (Lindisfarne) where St. Cuthbert became bishop and one of England’s most respected saints. Appointed prior in 665, this saintly missionary worked tirelessly to convert Northumbrians to Christianity.
As his fame grew and large numbers of pilgrims descended on Lindisfarne, the exhausted Cuthbert retreated in 676 to a hermit’s cell on Inner Farne, remaining there for 9 years until persuaded to accept the bishopric.
After his death in 696AD the magnificent Lindisfarne Gospels were produced by Bishop Eadfrith in St Cuthbert’s honour. They are now held by the British Museum. Following repeated Viking raids in 875AD the body of St Cuthbert had to be moved to its final resting place in a loop of the River Wear.
Standing on the site today is the splendid Durham Cathedral in which you can still view the tomb of St Cuthbert.
Most people do choose to complete the walk in 5 days
However some prefer to take longer, enjoying the wealth of historical interest and magnificent scenery en route.
- Melrose to Harestanes – 15 miles
- Harestanes to Kirk Yetholm – 18 miles
- Kirk Yetholm across the Scottish Border to Wooler – 13 miles
- Wooler to Holy Island – 17.5 miles
As St Cuthbert was the inspiration of this long distance walk, you’ll be sure to pass some spectacular sights including Melrose Abbey, The Eildon Hills, Dere Street Roman Road, The River Tweed, St Cuthberts Cave in the Kyloe, The Cheviot Hills and the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve not to mention Holy Island itself.
